American Idol: A Dose of reality
All of America is a-buzz with excitement over the final result show to be broadcast this evening: Who will be the next American Idol? While I am not a REALITY TV show enthusiast; I am curious about the results myself! What an opportunity! What an adventure! What an emotional rollercoaster they must be on! How their lives must be changed; where will their future take them?
These are the same questions we all ask when we are parents. The parent of a prodigal does more than ocassionally wonder--we urgently pray! My own son is on quite an adventure--not one that is broadcast throughout TV land, but an adventure nonetheless. His opportunity with Disney has fallen through; he was unable to do the heavy lifting required of the job due to a previous back injury. He tried--oh, he tried but ended up in bed with painful back spasms. Disney is no more.
The emotional rollercoaster that he has been on while looking for employment in Orlando has been a difficult one. The dips and turns of hopeful opportunities simply wind him back to the same place: unemployed. Maybe this dose of reality is why I don't watch Reality TV!~ The only energy I have is reserved for holding my son up throughout his adventure.
Dashed dreams, deflated hopes: where will his future take him? This is not hopelessness speaking, this is just his life. Where others find fame and fortune, he finds struggle and loss. Please do not think I am feeling sorry for myself or for him. I am simply making the observation. As is the case for so many, he has always had to fight harder than others to find average, he has always had to cope with more speed bumps to find his destination.
However, as is the case with God, he has shown up in the speed bumps! My son is tired of days off and relaxing afternoons in the sun. He wants to work. His determination, while wavering, has not failed. He needs to work. He has discovered with this experience that he not only needs a job for a paycheck--he wants to work. Is it possible that in this wait--God is faithfully restoring his heart?
So while I join the millions who will be watching American Idol tonight--I will be praying for our prodigals; those children whose life is less entertaining, less of a cash-cow, but as valuable as any other life. While their reality differs from Reality TV, it remains an adventure of opportunities filled with hopes and dreams, not for fame and fortune, but for the ordinary successes many take for granted. And who will I vote for? Who will win? Dare I say: my vote is for God! May He continue to work in my son's life (in all of our prodigal's life) as they learn to walk with Him throughout their own reality. He is the Creator of their life, their hearts, and their souls; may His Light shine so brightly they will see, only, the path He has chosen for them. May our prodigals win, for His glory....AMEN!
10 comments:
Wow. Great post. Keep praying. I was prodigal for 15 years. My sister was my prayer warrior. She went to battle for me everyday and the Lord drew me back to Himself in 1998. He is faithful, even when we are not faithful, because He can not help Himself.
Both my son and husband are prodigal, so I'm praying along with you.
Have a great day.
Rena
God Bless you dear Rena--for sharing your great testimony. Your story (stories) inspire and motivate other mom's who are standing in the gap for their children and loved one! You bless us!
Diane
I talked to my returning prodigal yesterday and heard his great laugh as he played a phone prank on me from far away to my office. It was great to hear his voice and his laughter. He is in a leadership position at the end of his recovery program at Teen Challenge (look them up if you have a drug addicted prodigal in your life - it is not just for teens!) Only five more Monday letters to him. So much to face when he gets home. Thank you for your prayers!
What a wonderful alternative view to this MEGA-HIT that has absolutely mesmerized American homes.
I love the thought that God would win the vote.
Continued prayers for all prodigals...
As I reread the post, I thought of something Kev told me yesterday on the phone. He was in front of a store doing his job for Teen Challenge (raising funds to keep the places open), when a gentleman stopped by to ask him what he was doing. When he explained that he was raising funds to allow drug addicted people to get help. This man said, in quite the snooty manner, "Well, I'm an English professor at XYZ University, and I am far superior to any of you." He couldn't believe it - had a 45 minute discussion with the "gentleman", which I'm sure didn't change his mind!
But these guys are precious in His sight!
As I reread the post, I thought of something Kev told me yesterday on the phone. He was in front of a store doing his job for Teen Challenge (raising funds to keep the places open), when a gentleman stopped by to ask him what he was doing. When he explained that he was raising funds to allow drug addicted people to get help. This man said, in quite the snooty manner, "Well, I'm an English professor at XYZ University, and I am far superior to any of you." He couldn't believe it - had a 45 minute discussion with the "gentleman", which I'm sure didn't change his mind!
But these guys are precious in His sight!
Teen Challenge are an amazing bunch of God and people servers aren't they? They have two houses near where I live, men's and women's. The women's house just opened up a couple of years ago and I'm a regular sponser (not bragging...hopefully, stirring up others to support them!) It's so rewarding especially when you get a card with the testimony of one of the kids. So happy to hear your son is in good hands, Dawn. May we each and all get an extra measure of peace, grace and wisdom in dealing with our Father's prodigals. He gave each of them into our lives for a reason, and this good work was prepared for us even before the foundation of the world. Try and wrap your head around that one!! Peace, grace and wisdom to you all. And thanks Diane for your encouragement!
Rena
Hi Diane,
I'll be with ya in spirit watching American Idol tonite (you know that!) But, I'll also be with you voting for God and praying that all those in need find the way!
I pray that your son will find his way. He is blessed to have you praying for him. We don't always understand the rollarcoasters of life, but we must be strong and know that God is by our side through it all!
To lighten the conversation a little, I hope that Taylor wins. I've liked him from the beginning!
May God continue to bless you and keep you in his loving arms.
Diane, your son is in my prayers, as are all the moms and their prodigals. I don't know them all by name, but God does, and I lift each of them up to Him as I pray for my own prodigal.
I'm sorry to hear your son's job didn't work out, but I believe God continues to have His hand on him. Your prayers are so precious on his behalf.
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