Gone by Friday…
Hiiiii!!
It’s been a minute since we last chatted.
I have missed you!!
At the moment my husband is on a little date night with my 19 year old daughter.
The house is quiet.
Just me and my doggie, Bo.
He is snuggled up right next to me, ever the protector.
As I contemplated what to chat about in this post…I kept coming back to this story.
This story is true and could only be written by God.
I am just not intelligent OR creative enough to make this stuff up.
Be aware—I have changed the names to protect the innocent. :)
Deep breath…here we go.
A few years ago, one of my children was in a relationship. This child seemed happy, but I could tell something was off.
I talked to this child multiple times about this seemingly fast moving relationship. They were quickly dating and calling themselves “exclusive.”
My spirit stirred within me from day one about this relationship my child was in.
I prayed, and prayed, and prayed some more.
I could not put my finger on the problem, but something just seemed off.
I talked to my husband about it and he did not seem to notice any red flags with the relationship at that point.
Wondering if I was going crazy or just being judgmental, I asked God to change my heart if I was wrong. OR remove this person from my child’s life if the stirring was from Him.
Reaching out to my prayer circle girls, I told them to pray with me that week.
One of my friends said that she was praying that this “person” would be “Gone by Friday” if the relationship was not right for my child.
Ummm, ok.
I thought that was kind of bold, but I agreed to pray that same prayer with my friend.
Gulp.
By Saturday of that week, the person in the relationship with my child abruptly broke it off.
YES.
That relationship was gone by Saturday.
My child had no warning, and was a little stunned.
I was not as stunned, because I believed God would answer that prayer.
I had no idea it would happen on that fast of a timeline!
My child was heartbroken and just left confused for a few days.
I was not as confused or bewildered.
God hears. God listens. God answers.
ESPECIALLY the prayers of a mother over her children.
A few weeks later, it turns out that this kid who broke it off with my kid had some deep and dark issues that came to light after the break up.
When I heard the news, I prayed over this child, and also thanked Jesus PROFUSELY for removing this person from my child’s life.
He protected my child at that time, and although I did not know at the time why He was protecting my child, He surely was.
I want to encourage you, listen to God’s gentle nudges. Be ever sensitive to The Holy Spirit when He is speaking and leading you to pray about something.
Don’t discard it or turn away from it.
God gives parents special wisdom and discernment over their own children.
It is truly a GIFT.
Pray and don’t stop praying over your children until you get peace.
Lack of peace is a sure sign of the need to seek God and His wisdom.
Peace will rush in like a river when we seek Him and obey His promptings to pray.
Our children desperately need our prayers.
Whether our kids are 3 months old or 110 years old, keep praying.
If you are alive, and you are a mother…PRAY like their life depended on it.
Because…it does.
Some of my favorite scriptures to cling to…
All your children will be taught by the Lord, and great will be their peace. Isaiah 54:13
I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth. 3 John 1:4
Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, “This is the way; walk in it.” Isaiah 30:21
Help my children grow just like Jesus did…”in wisdom and stature and favor with God and man.” Luke 2:52
We have a great and incredible responsibility.
Our children will be the greatest legacy we leave.
Let’s never stop asking God for wisdom about them.
Let’s never tire of praying for them until we fall to the floor in weariness.
God is Faithful.
He will teach us, He will lead us, He will speak to us.
We just have to ask Him.
gone by Saturday,
jill
