Thursday, August 09, 2007

Thankful Thursday


Dear Son,

It was just one week ago that I boarded the airplane in LA that would take me home, without you, as you remained solidly in your resistance to participate in New Seasons. You had two options: stay and work through this amazing program or be on your own.....starting that very moment.


As I flew the three and one half hours home, my mind struggled to understand what we had just experienced. In my mind's eye, I could only see my beloved, but very stubborn son, wandering the streets of California pulling a very large suitcase behind him, looking like a bullseye of vulnerability in a State that seems to have more serial killers per capita....than any other.


I am so thankful for the difference a week makes! Moreso, I am thankful for the difference God's promises make! It was only as I trusted completely on Him, having taken my hands off your life, that I could endure the ensuing days, that I could breathe with any ease.


"In the day of my trouble I call upon You, for You will answer me." Psalm 86:7


"After I have suffered awhile, the God of all grace, who has called me to His eternal glory by Christ Jesus, will restore me, establish me, strengthen, and settle me." I Peter 5:10


"What woman is she who fears You, LORD? Her shall You teach in the way that she shall choose. Her soul will dwell at ease, and her seed will inherit the earth." Psalm 25: 12-13


My son, there are many promises that I have claimed for your life. As I flew home without you, and each and every moment since, I have been praying them for both of us! I had asked God to "go before" you as you entered this treatment facility. I am so thankful to discover that although I had not asked him to "go before" your Dad and I, He was there for us as we made the toughest decision of our lives.


I am so thankful that our faith is real....it is an interactive faith that holds us together when things seem to be falling apart. As my body struggled to fight off sickness this week, I felt peace by the very real knowledge that while my mortal body had surrendered to a virus of this world, our immortal Father has provided the victory for the fallenness of humanity. "By His wounds....we are healed...." I am so thankful for His love for each and every one of us.


Some people don't believe, son, that we have a need for a Creator, a Redeemer, a LORD over our lives....or that He's even real. I could not have survived this past week without Him. He heard my cries, he counts my tears (Psalm 56:9), He provides peace, strength, and hope for restoration! He will establish your life! This matter has already be settled son....we must only surrender to His promise! I am so thankful that He is walking before you, leading you to His promise! This surrender only requires that we be still, my son.....be still and know:

Be still, my soul; the Lord is on thy side;
Bear patiently the cross of grief or pain;
Leave to thy God to order and provide;
In every change he faithful will remain.
Be still, my soul; thy best, thy heavenly Friend
Through thorny ways leads to a joyful end.
Katharina von Schlegel

14 comments:

Denise said...

Bless your precious faithful heart. I am praying for you, and your son.

Chris said...

Bless you, I will be praying for your son and you.

Nadine said...

What a touching post. I'm sorry you have been sick. I pray you get better. I stand with you in prayer for your son.

Dawn said...

Isn't it wonderful how God gives us songs in the night that help us through the days?? I quoted two today in my post about our latest crisis.

Bless you, my friend!

Diane@Diane's Place said...

I pray that he's getting the help he needs, Diane. And I'm sorry you've been sick, hope you're getting better, dear friend.

Love and hugs,

Diane

C. H. Green said...

Hadn't heard from you in a few days. Sorry to hear you've been sick. Such beautiful letters of love from a mother to son. Someday he is going to treasure those. Love you much. Cindy

Anonymous said...

It's hard to know what to say and how to encourage your heart in this but I can pray that you will feel God's comfort and peace in a mighty way for your future and your sons future. May God grant you perfect rest in Him. May your son be delivered...

Linda said...

After having gone through what you have in recent weeks, I can only imagine the joy you bring to the heart of the Father when He hears your words of gratitude.
You bless me and encourage me Diane. I continue to pray for all of you. God is doing a good thing.

Melissa Sheldon said...

My prayers are with you and your son. Your post brought tears to my eyes. God bless you.

Sharon Lynne said...

Wow. I'm over here catching up with your life. You've certainly been through a battle...a spiritual battle.

I've learned a lot just from reading through your posts. I had to come to the point of letting my son go (but not in another state). I wondered where he would sleep...Were we being too hard on him? My husband seemed to weather this better than I.

Actually he found his way to his grandparents (one hour away). He was there for a month. Then they couldn't keep him any longer.

He came home. We told him he had to have a job before he came home. "How am I going to get a job when I can't shower or have a place to sleep?" Well...he's in the backyard with a sleeping bag. We let him shower and give him a few dollars of gas to look for a job. Still no job after two months.

This is on going. We're still on the "adventure". There are a few more hindering issues in his life but I don't want this to turn into a post.

We love him. He knows we do. But he can't pull his life together. His 20th birthday is August 15.

Sharon Lynne said...

One last thing...

I will be praying for your family...you and your son. I know how unbearable the pain can be.

Our sons are learning life lessons through these trials. But the trial is not just benefiting them. God is using the situation(s) to mature, strenghthen our faith.

God is working with me.

Monkey Giggles said...

ohhh, Bless you.

Your words are so honest...your love for your son is so pure...so beautiful.

WOW

Profbaugh said...

Just read your blog. I wish I had some words that would make it all better. But, alas I don't. I do know that from what you've written you're firmly grounded in Christ love. May you continue to bask in His ever loving arms.

Praying for you,
~Cheryl

Susannah said...

Thank you for sharing your heart so vulnerably. I pray you're encouraged today. Hugs!