Luke 15

Today, our sermon covered the prodigal son and the father's love. (Luke 15: 11-24) I've heard the story a hundred times, but today it touched me differently.

I was thinking about T and how much I love her. How much I miss her. How worried I am about her and her son.

The story begins with the younger son. He wanted his inheritance now. The father most likely knew that he would take it and waste it, but he gave it to him anyways. He let him make his own choices.

Sometimes, its hard to understand the choices others make. We think we can see how it is a mistake, but you can't change their minds. They have to make their own decisions. And then, they have to live with the consequences of those decisions.

The son took his money, went to a different land and then squandered it. He was far from home and with no money to take care of his needs. He ended up working in a field, taking care of pigs.

He had to hit rock bottom before he could realize how far gone he was. He realized, that even as a servant to his father, he would be better off than he was at that moment. So he decided to go home.

My favorite verse is Luke 15:20. "So he got up and came to his father, But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and felt compassion for him, and ran and embraced him and kissed him."

His father never stopped loving him. He never stopped watching for him. That versed touched me in so many ways.

First, I thought of when I turned my back on God. I didn't think I needed Him. These last few months, I have realized how wrong I was. My heart has completely turned around the last 6 months. Its like I can't get enough of His word or His love. I live and breathe for Sunday to come, so I can go to church and hear his word. It never fails, no matter my mood. By the 2nd song, I'm smiling and loving every second of it.

And its not just Sunday's. Each day, I yearn to feel Him in my life. Some days, I think I am in continual prayer; telling him my needs, about my fears. Praying for those I love. I've also noticed other changes, how I never listen to the radio anymore. Instead, my soul craves the quietness, so I can communicate with Him. I know longer care what others think of me; instead, I do my best to be more Christlike. I want others to see the changes He has made in me.

I still have trials. I still have bad days. But with God, I know I can face anything. He's got my back. He loves me. And I've realized just how much I need Him. How much I love Him.

Then I thought about T. I know her family is watching and hoping for her to come home again. Not a day passes that they don't pray for her. Not an hour passes that they don't think of her. Not a second passes where they stop loving her. I'm also watching for her to come home, but I know their loves is a millions times more intense because they are her family.

When the son came home, the father gave him a robe, his ring, and sandals. Part of it was to take care of his needs, but it was also to show that he was still his son. That he had never stopped loving him.

T, we will never stop loving you. We are always there for you. When you are ready, we will run out to meet you and embrace you.

Another scripture I loved today was 2 Corinthians 1:3-4 "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort,
Who comforts us in all our afflictions so that we will be able to comfort those who are in any affliction with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God."

T's mom and I were talking this weekend. This experience has opened our eyes. I have been saddened to realize just how many people are or have been in an abusive relationship. Every time I turn around, someone else is telling me their story, each more heartbreaking then the next. Its reminded me that we live in a world of sin. This is one of those experiences that has changed my heart. I want to help these people. I'm still learning more, but its like a fire has been lit inside of me, to help others in this situation. I want to help them leave. To comfort them. To help them start a new life. I pray that God will open my eyes to these situations and that I will be able to find a way to help them.

I also loved this scripture, 2 Peter 3:9. "The Lord is not slow about His promise, as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing for any to perish but for all to come to repentance."

The fear of the unknown has been so hard. I wish so much that I could see the ending. I wish so much that I could see His plan. But I just have to remind myself to trust in Him. God has got this.

Please Keep Them Safe Jesus

YOU ARE GOD ALONE by Craig & Dean Phillips

You are not a God created by human hands
You are not a God dependent on any mortal man
You are not a God in need of
Anything we can give
By Your plan, that's just the way it is

[Chorus:]
You are God alone, from before time began
You were on Your throne, You are God alone.
And right now, in the good times and bad
You are on Your throne, You are God alone.

[Verse 2:]
You're the only God whose power none can contend
You're the only God whose name and
Praise will never end
You're the only God who's worthy
Of everything we can give
You are God, that's just the way it is

You are God alone, from before time began
You were on Your throne, You are God alone.
And right now, in the good times and bad
You are on Your throne, You are God alone.

Unchangeable (Unchangeable)
Unshakable (Unshakable)
Unstoppable (Unstoppable)
That's who you are (That's who you are)

You are God alone, from before time began
You were on Your throne, You are God alone.
And right now, in the good times and bad
You are on Your throne, You are God alone.

Unchangeable (Unchangeable)
Unshakable (Unshakable)
Unstoppable (Unstoppable)
That's who you are (That's who you are)

Dear God,

I am trying so hard to understand. I'm trying to bend myself to your will. I keep reminding myself that you are GOD. YOU are in control. God, please give me peace and comfort. God, please, if there is away, please let me know they are safe. 

God, I also keep reminding myself that your love is undeniable, for all of your children. So God, I also pray for him. I know that a person can't change, but God, nothing is impossible with you. God, please find a way into his heart. God, make it so that no matter which way he turns, he has to come face to face with you. God, I pray for him. God, please change his heart.

God, I also pray for her. Give her strength to do what ever needs to be done to protect her and her child. God give her wisdom. God give her mercy. God give her protection. God help her remember who she is. God, open her heart so she can feel of your love and mercy. God, please just keep her safe. 

God bless her son. Keep him safe. Please keep him safe. He's the one comfort she has through all of this. Give him good influences in his life so that he will be able to raise above this. God, help raise him close to Thee so that this cycle will not continue with him. God, please keep him safe.

God please give her family peace and comfort right now. God, I'm so heart broken; I can only imagine how much worse their pain is right now. Please help them pick up the pieces and move on. Help them to never loose hope that their daughter and grandson will be okay. God, please, if it is possible, please let them know she is safe. Please help them find a way to let her know how much they love her and that they will never stop loving her. 

God, please keep them safe. Please, please help them come again. Come home to stay. God, I wish I could see your plan, but I will just have to trust that YOU are in control.

Please keep them safe Jesus. 

Dear God,

She walked away with nothing. I know you used a miracle to help get her away. I know you will also use a miracle to provide for her. Jesus, I want her to know that she is so loved that she doesn't need to ever go back.

Jesus, I can't believe the people that have asked me how they can help. They don't even know her, but they want to help. Thank you Jesus for using them to be a part of this miracle.

Lord, clear my head and let me know how I can best help. My thoughts are going a million directions, but I do need to just concentrate on a few areas.

Lord, I also need patience granted to me. One person questioned my motives and it really upset me. I thought they would be just as happy as I am, but instead they are a doubting Thomas. Lord, don't let me get any thoughts like that. If I have to help set her up a hundred times, I will do it. I am blessed with so much. I want to use those blessings to create blessings for others. Do not allow myself to start questioning if it is worth it or not, because it is. Do not let those doubt enter my head.

Lord, please help her. Even though she is home, I think the struggle is just beginning. Please surround her with love and peace Jesus. Please. Please clear her head so she can better understand the situation. Help her let go of all the negative in her life and anything & anyone that is attached to it. Help her to heal not only from any physical wounds, but also heal her emotionally. Heal her heart Jesus. Help her be able to grieve the end of things in a healthy way.

Lord, please help her family and friends. Use us as instruments in Your hands. Help us show her how much we love her. Help us keep her safe.

Please Jesus, help this be a new beginning for her.

Answered Prayer

God is great.

A few months ago, I noticed a friend was in an abusive relationship. I worried about her so much. Then signs started to show it was getting worse. I just wanted her to come home to her family.

For weeks I prayed non stop. "God, please keep her safe. Jesus, just bring her home." Day and night, that was my prayer.

Last week, a young man in our community died in an accident. I was upset with God. Why would he take such a wonderful husband and father from this earth so soon and leave my friend in this bad situation? I had to remind myself that God works on his own timing and all would be okay in the end. "Please Jesus, please keep her and her baby safe until she can find a way to come home." I turned it over to God's hands and was prepared to wait on Him. I knew I could trust Him to do what was best for her.

On Monday, I talked to another person that used to be in an abusive marriage and asked what I could do to help this friend. She suggested contacting her and telling her about a victims advocate office in her city. And to tell her to start a restraining order. I was still trying to find the best way to express myself and I promised myself I would send that email to either her or her mother by the end of the week.

God is great. Last night, the mother posted that she was able to bring her daughter and grandson home, to stay. I didn't even get a chance to send my email because God took care of everything.

I have gone from crying tears of fear to tears of joy. Today, my nonstop prayer and been "Thank you Jesus. Thank you for bringing her home. Thank you for keeping her and her son safe."

Thank you Jesus.