I have been struggling in releasing my child, Sal (Damian has already assured me that he is going to be a man of GOD, and he's half christian now...so no worries!) into Gods hands. To be totally honest I thought I had released him. Silly me. How could I have? I am still scheming on what to do and what to say and placing “stuff” ever so strategically for Sal to just happen upon it… ugh. I’m exhausted!
Well, in an effort to “be still” I have been reading about prayer and listening to different teachings about prayer and of course praying! I even bought some new books (big surprise huh, I HEART books). I am reading one written by Stromie Omartian (HEART her too) called “The Power of a Praying Parent". I also remembered discussing not too long ago with my bible study peeps (HEART them also) about being specific in our prayers and so I asked my pops (that’s the big guy upstairs) if He would help me to be specific and show me how to pray and what to pray for.
Ok, now I will entertain you on a short long story on my “works” for the week (at least the beginning of the week-more to come I’m sure).
NOTE: I really thought I was being still and that I had released my son to Him!
One of the other books I bought was “The Power of a Praying Parent: Book of Prayers” book for my sons dad. I initially decided I would discuss with him how important it was to pray for our son and not leave his life up to chance and yada yada yada… Then I thought “NOPE, that would be works and I am being still” (I know, I’m nuts right!) So, since I was busy being still I decided to just send it along with another little scripture book for men that I picked up (it was 2 bucks & super cool). My heart was in the right place…I’m almost positive of that fact. Anyways, sent the books with Sal to his dad. done.
Thought to self: You're brilliant Darlene!
The next day (Monday) when I picked up Sal for school, I asked him if his dad liked the books. He said that his dad said to tell me “that he chooses his own path” and then he tells me that his dad also asked why he brought “that stuff” inside his house. I was crushed. I was confused. I had just received his blessing to force my child to go to church, and now he calls scripture and a prayer book “that stuff” in an tone that is basically the equivalent to the tone one of us would have about drugs, alcohol, porn…etc. How could he speak to MY son with that such a lousy attitude about something that is so sacred? Sal said his dad was just kidding but still. Wow! I dropped Sal off and told him I loved him, to pick up his pants and to have a great day -Ya know, the usual. I then decided to call his dad to clear up MY confusion and to tell him how important it is to pray and ya know the whole spiel and THANKFULLY my phone wasn’t working (Thank you Jesus- although I wasn't very thankful at the time). As I arrived at work and began to look for sprints telephone number, work happened!
Side note: work is so annoying, this is important...ugh. (I am thankful for my job, I promise)
Eventually when things died down I found the number and called (apparently they want you to pay your bill to obtain service, ugh…drag). Anyhow they “fixed” my phone. Then this weird thing happened where I actually was still and I listened. Maybe I should just pray about it! Maybe I should pray about it , Let it go and believe that He gots this! Hmmm, Maybe just maybe I don't need Big Sal to pray for Lil Sal! Sure it would be nice but he would be praying in doubt and unbelief and why would I want that? I don’t!
Well, look at that…big Sal is saved by Gods awesome mercy and grace and he doesn’t even know it. I am not going to call him! {End of short long story here}
OH MY GOSH I get it. See below.
Monday evening after I got home, slaved over dinner (microwavable chicken nuggets) and took a shower, I sat down to practice being “still”. Well after that was done (a few minutes later), I decided I would start reading my “The Power of a Praying Parent” book. As I was reading it a couple of verses popped into my head... Ok, so they didn’t pop into my head, they were both written right there in the book. I guess we will just agree that they spoke to me!
The first one was Proverbs 22:6 “Train up a child in the way he should go and when he is old he will not turn from it”. That’s a promise right? Ok, so I know this is a promise from God, I know that His word is powerful and His instruction is a blessing. I know this…but ummmm, I know for a fact, ok... not for a fact but I know because my friend Robin told me and I trust her, that she raised her children in Gods ways. So why then is Chad (her now adult son) questioning the truth? Why is he hurting his moms heart with these dumb questions about whether there is a creator or not? Why is his belief "unbelief"? "He was taught and raised in the truth, I need answers Father!" I shouted inside of my head. “Help me Dad to understand, please” I prayed. Increase my faith. Teach me. Show me your ways. Just take my will already pulleaseeeeeee I beg you. I don’t want it.
End scene. lol
The second one is Matthew 18:19 “Again, I tell you that if two of you on earth agree about anything you ask for, it will be done for you by my Father in heaven.” > Darlene: *sigh* Father, I was trying to do that! Remember? I gave the book to Sals dad… (Yes, I know I am a brat!)
> Stormie: See the appendix, “praying Together with Other Parents,” for suggestions on how to organize your own time of group intercession for children.
> Two different CC’s (crazy Christians) through text messages: Please pray for my son!!!
> Dad: Hey, why don’t you pray together with other parents?
> Darlene to Dad: You are so smart! I love you! I’m sorry I'm a brat and thank you Dad! You are sooo good to me.
Nope, story doesn’t end. I'm gettin there...
Grand finale and the point of my rant!!! My friend Robin calls me TODAY to give me some good news. Well not too long ago God placed Chad in Idaho with his girlfriend (Chad thinks he went on his own, funny boy). They had a house practically handed to them and everything else that went along with the move was just so smooth. Robin said everything went really smooth, Wow-smooth! (Over-smooth if you will, that’s my interpretation to her Wow-smooth). Of course she thanked God and kept Chad in her prayers. Chad who is in the Army (inactive status) signed up for the Idaho National Guard (reserves) as soon as he got to Idaho. Well one week after signing up, the army called him back to active duty and would be sending him to Afghanistan, so they thought! Fortunately for Robin and Chad and everyone concerned he is now with the National guard in Idaho so California cannot send him to Afghanistan! Yay! Now that’s God!
Background: Chad is my age and his mom and I work together. We would talk about his questions and his NEW beliefs my NEW beliefs every now and again and although we know that God promised Robin long ago that Chad would never depart from what he was taught about Gods awesome truth…it still tugged at her heartstrings, and well, mine also. Afterall, I have two sons I’m in following her very steps (except my sons are barely hearing the TRUTH and they are 15 and 8). We both agreed that he will come back to the God and that we would continue to pray for him.
More background: When Chad came back from being oversees the last time, he came back with a different outlook, a different attitude too many questions "questioning" our Father in Heaven .
Robin told me this morning that she told Chad “Is that not God or what?” Chad acknowledged this truth in his own way and is happy with the outcome. Although Chad may not realize the protection he received from our Lord and he may not have thanked him yet, I know Robin has and so have I. I know Chad has not accepted the Call God has on his life but I am positive (and I know Robin is also) that Chad knows how awesome God is deep down in his heart and I’m sure that soon he will realize that and come back to the truth he has always known. After all It’s a promise. That is encouraging.
Our Amazing God: He placed Chad in Idaho. He put that urgency in Chads heart to sign up for the National Guard. He was and is faithful to Robin and He placed His protection over Chad.
Ok, wrapping it up! What you should of learned in this extremely long rant…
*Darlene likes to Rant
*God hears our prayers always
*Darlene thinks in parentheses
*God answers our prayers! -It may be “Yes”, It may be No, It may be “Yes, but not yet”. (Yes, No is an answer! I'm as shocked as you are!)
*Darlene thinks she knows it all and is a brat lol
*We must pray with FAITH, not with doubt and unbelief.
*Darlene likes to read.
*God is faithful and will always keep His promises.
*Darlene likes to call herself Darlene
*We must be still and let God work
*Darlene needs your help to pray for her children and will gladly cover your children in prayer as well. *Gods word is power and we need to know it!
*Darlene loves you!
Our encouragment and our promise: The bible says “Train up a child in the way he should go” knowing that “when he is old, he will not depart from it” Proverbs 22:6 that if "two of you on earth agree about anything you ask for, it will be done for you by my Father in heaven. Matthew 18:19
Lets pray for our kiddos together...
The End.
Thank you, Darlene!
Well, in an effort to “be still” I have been reading about prayer and listening to different teachings about prayer and of course praying! I even bought some new books (big surprise huh, I HEART books). I am reading one written by Stromie Omartian (HEART her too) called “The Power of a Praying Parent". I also remembered discussing not too long ago with my bible study peeps (HEART them also) about being specific in our prayers and so I asked my pops (that’s the big guy upstairs) if He would help me to be specific and show me how to pray and what to pray for.
Ok, now I will entertain you on a short long story on my “works” for the week (at least the beginning of the week-more to come I’m sure).
NOTE: I really thought I was being still and that I had released my son to Him!
One of the other books I bought was “The Power of a Praying Parent: Book of Prayers” book for my sons dad. I initially decided I would discuss with him how important it was to pray for our son and not leave his life up to chance and yada yada yada… Then I thought “NOPE, that would be works and I am being still” (I know, I’m nuts right!) So, since I was busy being still I decided to just send it along with another little scripture book for men that I picked up (it was 2 bucks & super cool). My heart was in the right place…I’m almost positive of that fact. Anyways, sent the books with Sal to his dad. done.
Thought to self: You're brilliant Darlene!
The next day (Monday) when I picked up Sal for school, I asked him if his dad liked the books. He said that his dad said to tell me “that he chooses his own path” and then he tells me that his dad also asked why he brought “that stuff” inside his house. I was crushed. I was confused. I had just received his blessing to force my child to go to church, and now he calls scripture and a prayer book “that stuff” in an tone that is basically the equivalent to the tone one of us would have about drugs, alcohol, porn…etc. How could he speak to MY son with that such a lousy attitude about something that is so sacred? Sal said his dad was just kidding but still. Wow! I dropped Sal off and told him I loved him, to pick up his pants and to have a great day -Ya know, the usual. I then decided to call his dad to clear up MY confusion and to tell him how important it is to pray and ya know the whole spiel and THANKFULLY my phone wasn’t working (Thank you Jesus- although I wasn't very thankful at the time). As I arrived at work and began to look for sprints telephone number, work happened!
Side note: work is so annoying, this is important...ugh. (I am thankful for my job, I promise)
Eventually when things died down I found the number and called (apparently they want you to pay your bill to obtain service, ugh…drag). Anyhow they “fixed” my phone. Then this weird thing happened where I actually was still and I listened. Maybe I should just pray about it! Maybe I should pray about it , Let it go and believe that He gots this! Hmmm, Maybe just maybe I don't need Big Sal to pray for Lil Sal! Sure it would be nice but he would be praying in doubt and unbelief and why would I want that? I don’t!
Well, look at that…big Sal is saved by Gods awesome mercy and grace and he doesn’t even know it. I am not going to call him! {End of short long story here}
OH MY GOSH I get it. See below.
Monday evening after I got home, slaved over dinner (microwavable chicken nuggets) and took a shower, I sat down to practice being “still”. Well after that was done (a few minutes later), I decided I would start reading my “The Power of a Praying Parent” book. As I was reading it a couple of verses popped into my head... Ok, so they didn’t pop into my head, they were both written right there in the book. I guess we will just agree that they spoke to me!
The first one was Proverbs 22:6 “Train up a child in the way he should go and when he is old he will not turn from it”. That’s a promise right? Ok, so I know this is a promise from God, I know that His word is powerful and His instruction is a blessing. I know this…but ummmm, I know for a fact, ok... not for a fact but I know because my friend Robin told me and I trust her, that she raised her children in Gods ways. So why then is Chad (her now adult son) questioning the truth? Why is he hurting his moms heart with these dumb questions about whether there is a creator or not? Why is his belief "unbelief"? "He was taught and raised in the truth, I need answers Father!" I shouted inside of my head. “Help me Dad to understand, please” I prayed. Increase my faith. Teach me. Show me your ways. Just take my will already pulleaseeeeeee I beg you. I don’t want it.
End scene. lol
The second one is Matthew 18:19 “Again, I tell you that if two of you on earth agree about anything you ask for, it will be done for you by my Father in heaven.” > Darlene: *sigh* Father, I was trying to do that! Remember? I gave the book to Sals dad… (Yes, I know I am a brat!)
> Stormie: See the appendix, “praying Together with Other Parents,” for suggestions on how to organize your own time of group intercession for children.
> Two different CC’s (crazy Christians) through text messages: Please pray for my son!!!
> Dad: Hey, why don’t you pray together with other parents?
> Darlene to Dad: You are so smart! I love you! I’m sorry I'm a brat and thank you Dad! You are sooo good to me.
Nope, story doesn’t end. I'm gettin there...
Grand finale and the point of my rant!!! My friend Robin calls me TODAY to give me some good news. Well not too long ago God placed Chad in Idaho with his girlfriend (Chad thinks he went on his own, funny boy). They had a house practically handed to them and everything else that went along with the move was just so smooth. Robin said everything went really smooth, Wow-smooth! (Over-smooth if you will, that’s my interpretation to her Wow-smooth). Of course she thanked God and kept Chad in her prayers. Chad who is in the Army (inactive status) signed up for the Idaho National Guard (reserves) as soon as he got to Idaho. Well one week after signing up, the army called him back to active duty and would be sending him to Afghanistan, so they thought! Fortunately for Robin and Chad and everyone concerned he is now with the National guard in Idaho so California cannot send him to Afghanistan! Yay! Now that’s God!
Background: Chad is my age and his mom and I work together. We would talk about his questions and his NEW beliefs my NEW beliefs every now and again and although we know that God promised Robin long ago that Chad would never depart from what he was taught about Gods awesome truth…it still tugged at her heartstrings, and well, mine also. Afterall, I have two sons I’m in following her very steps (except my sons are barely hearing the TRUTH and they are 15 and 8). We both agreed that he will come back to the God and that we would continue to pray for him.
More background: When Chad came back from being oversees the last time, he came back with a different outlook, a different attitude too many questions "questioning" our Father in Heaven .
Robin told me this morning that she told Chad “Is that not God or what?” Chad acknowledged this truth in his own way and is happy with the outcome. Although Chad may not realize the protection he received from our Lord and he may not have thanked him yet, I know Robin has and so have I. I know Chad has not accepted the Call God has on his life but I am positive (and I know Robin is also) that Chad knows how awesome God is deep down in his heart and I’m sure that soon he will realize that and come back to the truth he has always known. After all It’s a promise. That is encouraging.
Our Amazing God: He placed Chad in Idaho. He put that urgency in Chads heart to sign up for the National Guard. He was and is faithful to Robin and He placed His protection over Chad.
Ok, wrapping it up! What you should of learned in this extremely long rant…
*Darlene likes to Rant
*God hears our prayers always
*Darlene thinks in parentheses
*God answers our prayers! -It may be “Yes”, It may be No, It may be “Yes, but not yet”. (Yes, No is an answer! I'm as shocked as you are!)
*Darlene thinks she knows it all and is a brat lol
*We must pray with FAITH, not with doubt and unbelief.
*Darlene likes to read.
*God is faithful and will always keep His promises.
*Darlene likes to call herself Darlene
*We must be still and let God work
*Darlene needs your help to pray for her children and will gladly cover your children in prayer as well. *Gods word is power and we need to know it!
*Darlene loves you!
Our encouragment and our promise: The bible says “Train up a child in the way he should go” knowing that “when he is old, he will not depart from it” Proverbs 22:6 that if "two of you on earth agree about anything you ask for, it will be done for you by my Father in heaven. Matthew 18:19
Lets pray for our kiddos together...
The End.
Thank you, Darlene!
