I’m a woman who is having to learn how to become a single independent woman and single mother after 22 years of marriage to a once Godly man and leader in our home. I have a very strong Faith in my Lord. I constantly make everyday decisions based on waiting to see how the Lord would direct me,that I once would have done with a husband.
I had always heard leaders in the church make statements like “God wants to be a husband” God will be your dad you never had” ect..I remember thinking and why would God want to be burdened with our everyday mundane things?
Their strength is to set still… Isaiah 30:7
It just so happens, when you are left alone after a spouse leaves the home, any trivial aspect of life becomes a huge deal in functioning. “How in the world can I make ends meet when I never had to work”? How in the world can I raise a son without a father? How How How?
Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen… Hebrews 11:1
I knew the first area I needed to be one up on so to speak was the area of being the only adult Spiritual leader in my home. I have always been a Spiritual leader of course, however when Hubby left my son was asking constantly if everything his father stood for was a lie, even the Godly principles of the way we lived. I had to show Caleb that our Faith indeed is real and because his Father made a wrong decision it was wrong in God’s eyes as well and God was not happy about that decision. I began to pray for a way I could show Caleb that God was in control and cared about us in our brokenness, and most importantly God cared for Caleb and the pain he was in.
The church we had recently joined was hosting a 24 hour prayer vigil. Every hour there would be members there praying about specific needs in the church as well as personal need’s of members. I had asked Caleb on the way home if he would like to do this with me as it would be a great opportunity of ministry and blessings as well. He reluctantly said sure it will be ok. A big deal for a 15 year old. So we signed up for our slot and went.
He knows the way I should go… Job 28:10
We entered the sanctuary quietly and went to the front to get our cards. We picked a quiet pew and I gave Caleb the paper and pen and told him to go first. He already had a huge request that he really needed an answer to so he put that on there. We were to put 3 specific detailed requests, then turn it in. Turns out that every single person that came through had access to that card to pray over for the next 24 hours. On the way home Caleb was excited, like he was waiting on a huge delivery from U.P.S. and had no idea what to expect. He said so will God answer it? How long before we know? How will he tell us? I told him we had to be patient, trust and have Faith that however God answered he was in control. Now keeping in mind here this was NOT a small request, it was a very personal request that Caleb was urgent about and knew if it turned out OK it could only come from God. My son did give it to the Lord and that day he learned to trust a loving God.
Two months later God took care of it. As Caleb Say’s he took care of it in FULL. It was a huge lesson in Faith for my son who chose to be depend ant on God and could have easily went the other direction for lack of Faith. I cannot tell you how many people who prayed for Caleb that day and what a joy it was to do that on his behalf after knowing his loss. The real blessing however was that my son believed that God would respond to such a personal need he had and God honored that request and more so.
Matthew 21:22
“If you believe you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer.
We have begun this New Year in Hope. We do not doubt that God cares about every detail of our lives. We have renewed Faith that God provided. He does hear us in our weakest times. He IS the husband who leaves, He Is the Father who walks away, and he IS our provider.
“Jesus said,” I tell you the truth, unless you change and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of Heaven.”
We cannot let cynicism, fear, doubt, distrust and hate to dilute the strength of our Faith! We must surrender just like a child surrenders to the Authority of his father, only through surrender will we experience true victory in Christ.
Thank-you father that you never leave or forsake your children, whether we are young or old. Thank-you for New beginnings in life and that we can do all things through you. Thank-you for caring about broken homes and broken lives,and your Restoration.
Paulette this had me in tears of joy for answered prayer. God is so good. The way He answers our prayers and cares for us is so amazing. What an wonderful thing you as a mother taught your son that day and what a Wonderful God we have. thank you for shareing this.
It is harder to go through things when you have to watch your children walk through it too. We fear that their faith is not strong enough. I am grown with my own children and my parents still worry when harsh things happen, how it will affect my faith. My response to them is this: Mom and dad I have watched the difficult things you have walked through, even losing a child. It is your faith that is in me, and there is nothing that can separate me from God.
Yes I have questions. But just as You said, God said to come to Him like little children. I do not know about yours, but my kids ask me questions ALL the time. And I love to answer them and see them learn. He welcomes us as well.
Congrats Paulette for walking through a VERY difficult situation with your faith still in tact. This is what your son will remember. It is what he will hold on to.
What an awesome post!! It is so refreshing to see prayers answered and to witness people that feel God’s presence in their life. Thank you for sharing 🙂