How would you handle living in the same apartment with your adult child, but they haven’t talked to you for a whole year and only communicate through a calendar on which work schedules are written down? This was the situation for a church member who became a Christian three years ago and was praying daily for her daughter. All the mother could do was keep praying, and show love to her daughter by making her delicious meals (which they ate separately).
Recently, the daughter began talking to her again, and made serious attempts to heal the rift! The mother gathered courage and invited her to our fellowship. The daughter said she would like to come, but that she is not a Christian. No problem! The daughter was warmly welcomed, enjoying the connections and discussions about Scripture and God. She has even bought her own Bible! The church member shared that her daughter has been asking all sorts of questions like, “What is grace?” Praise God!
Getting back to the question at the top…hearing the mother’s story, I (Wendi) was so impressed by her perseverance to show love in tangible ways and pray faithfully. When asked how she had done this day after day, the mother admitted this past year had been really hard, but there were two things the Holy Spirit revealed to her. The first was that she had to ask God for forgiveness for the unhelpful things she had said to her daughter. The other was the need to recognize and praise God for all that He is doing, even when it is hard to see.
This mother’s journey has been so impactful. I can easily turn a blind eye to my own sin which takes away from my witness for Christ. The Lord has been convicting me of this and the need to rely on His sanctification. Also, I realize my prayers can become a place of worry, gnawing on fear or doubt like a dog gnaws on a bone. I suppose it comes from a lack of trust that God is really at work. I am reminded to step back and reflect on God’s true nature and the ways He is working, which brings about a response of praise and gratitude.
Join us in praising our Father God that this family is seeing restoration of souls and relationships. Keep praying with us that there will be more family reunions like this in Christ, with our fellowship being a place people can experience truth, love, and family.