“The Lord is not slow in keeping His promise, as some understand slowness. Instead, He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.” 2 Peter 3:9 NIV
But That Is Not What I Ordered
Are you like me? Do you find yourself giving God orders? Maybe it is praying for loved ones: “Lord, You must stop him or her from doing this or that, and make this happen, but do this first”—and so it goes?
So here I am out in the yard with the dogs, looking up to the sky, telling God what to do and how to do it. “I’m sorry, Lord, here I am bossing You around, instructing You, telling You how, when and where to carry out MY will.”
My mind traveled back to my friend’s son who was a prodigal in a “far country” sleeping on park benches. This mother’s heart was breaking and we prayed for him daily. Most of the time she did not know his whereabouts, but he no longer wanted anything to do with his parents or their God.
My attention was drawn to a dead-looking tree in the yard. I was seeing the tree in the NOW, but come spring, this dead-looking tree will take on a NEW life full of beautiful foliage.Perhaps I am seeing my loved ones in the NOW, appearing dried up with no life in them, but God sees what they will become, with NEW life and a NEW heart.
My thoughts returned to my friend. She began to pray, “Lord, do whatever it takes; Your will be done,” knowing his soul was far more important than his body. Some warned her not to pray such a prayer because it could be painful for both of them. But the ultimate goal is a soul entering the kingdom of God. We know this to be the will of God since He is not willing that any should perish.
Fast forward. Her son had a very serious motorcycle accident. After hospital time, he needed a place to heal and recover. You can’t do that on a park bench. He and his parents reconciled. While at home for the duration of his healing process, he also reconciled with his Lord and Savior. He and his wife and family currently serve God in the ministry.
“Father, my heart aches for my loved ones. I know Your heart aches for them as well. You are not willing that any perish, therefore I place them in Your very capable hands for You to draw them to You by Your precious Holy Spirit. I will continue to intercede on their behalf, but I will stop giving You orders on how and when to be God in their lives. I pray for all of those prodigals in or out of their homes. I don’t know them, but You do. Lord, have Your will in their lives. Thank You.”
Amen.
Amen. There are so many out there waiting and praying. Thank you for this encouragement.
I have seen God’s redeeming power, I also was one of those mom’s praying, stop the pain, take my son home, but God brought him home to our family, instead. Sometimes it is about giving our will up, so God’s will can be done in all our lives. Where there is breath and life there is always hope! Thank you for sharing.
The older I get, the better I am understanding there is a REASON why things happen when they do according to His plan and not my desires.. sometimes a hard lesson..
I loved the tree analogy. We see the immediate and freak. But God has this. Thanks for sharing
Thank you Lord that you don’t want any to parish.