For more than a decade, we have prayed for our MIP. Over the last few months, we have all experienced a calm--a peace if you will, that has created a renewed confidence. I have posted that we are sitting in the lap of God. I shared with you how I said NO...and survived. And, when my MIP announced he was getting married, I knew I had prayed for his fiance since before I knew her name.
Now, this morning, as if my joy were not large enough, I received a letter from my future daughter-in-law. It was a sweet letter, a letter of thankfulness. And yet, as dear as her words of gratitude were, the words that have blessed my heart to overflowing were, "if Curt and I are going to make it as a family, we must have God in our lives, not just as one, but as a whole. My mission this week is to get Curt to church!"
Dear Mothers (and fathers) of prodigals, (MIP's!)--God hears our prayers. While you are standing in the gap for your loved one, it may feel as though your efforts as a watch(wo)men are in vain. They! Are! Not!
In this email of gratitude, my heart is filled with a Hallejah-gratitude.....for God is so faithful.
Yes, when we love a prodigal, our soul cries out to the Lord, "I wait for the LORD, my soul waits, and in his word I put my hope. My soul waits for the LORD more than watchmen wait for the morning more than watchmen wait for the morning" (Psalm 130: 5-6). Days, weeks, months, yes, even years go by as we stand in the gap for our loved one. And then, one day, as though our wait was just for a moment, we begin to see God's handiwork.
No matter where our prodigals journey, God can use their circumstances to bring them home. No distance can separate them from the love of God. No enemy too strong, no temptation too big--God our Savior is the hope of all the ends of the earth and of the farthest seas, He formed the mountains [with His] power having armed [Himself] with strength, [He stills the roaring of the seas, the roaring of their waves, and the turmoil of the nations." Psalm 65: 5-7
Our God is able.
He has brought a young woman into my MIP's life who believes that God is important to their future happiness.
Our hope is not in vain. He sustains me according to His promise! (Psalm 119:116) And I will praise Him forever for what He has done and IS doing. In His name I will place my hope, for His name is good. (Psalm 52: 9)
My future daughter-in-law is on a mission! Much like the mission of a watchman standing in the gap. Folks--this is HUGE!
HOPE in our LORD, is never in vain. And though we may tire and grow weary, our hope in the LORD "will renew [our] strength. [We] will soar on wings like eagles; [we] will run and not grow weary, [we] will walk and not be faint." (Isaiah 40: 31)
As for my reply to my future daughter-in-law's email...I am going to tell her what a gift from God she truly is. And, I'm going to ask her to help me plan the banquet. As for God, "I will praise [Him] forever for what [He] has done; in [His] name I will hope, for [His] name if good. I will praise [Him] in the presence of [His] saints." (Psalm 52:9)
And, for my dear blogging friends who stand in the gap with me for my MIP and your own, please hear what cannot be contained: We "rise before dawn and cry for help; I have put my hope in your word. My eyes stay open through the watches of the night, that I may meditate on your promises." (Psalm 119: 146-148). "The Lord delights [...] in those who put their hope in his unfailing love." (Psalm 147:11). "There IS hope for your future, declares the LORD. Your children will return to their own land."That's some letter!
Hi! Ho! Hi Ho! It's off to Disney we go! 
And, 
Our daughter became an equestrian the first time atop a horse! 
