This is a short article, but one I knew I had to write to share my experience with an answer to a prayer that has been going on for 19 years. I never gave up hope that someday God would answer in His own time, not mine, so I never stopped praying. Here is the reason…
When my son graduated from high school back in 2005, it was during a time of upheaval for not only myself in the dissolution of my marriage, but the last time I would see my son. I won’t go into reasons against anyone, but that day I began a journey that would bring sadness, tears, and finally joy!
Over the last 19 years, I have searched and reached out to my son without success. I had dreams of walking through a cemetery and stopping over a headstone with his name. engraved on it. I would wake up with tears, wondering if he was okay, where he was, I had no idea. I reached out to several people that I thought knew his status, but that too turned into nowhere. I researched people’s residences that I thought maybe he would be staying with, but that too was without success.
Finally, even though I had been praying and journaling, I decided one day to just surrender all that I had within me as a mother, trusting that God knows the heart of a mother, He had heard all my prayers. A sense of peace followed me after that, until one day, I couldn’t handle not knowing where my son might be. Through different avenues, I finally found where he was, and he was in a place that he needed to be for the time being until he was ready to contact me. I did not speak to him, nor did I see him, all I could do was wait.
Finally, after a few months, I received my first email from him in several years. He let me know that he was now in a good place, matured and that God had been working on him for some time. Soon, he wanted to meet and so we did. Seeing him after 19 years was the greatest feeling. He was no longer the 18-year-old I last saw, but a grown man of 38. We hugged, we said “I Love You”, sat down and ate, had a great conversation, and answered questions held back for so long, and as we parted, he said he would see me again. The “I Love You” came once more. When I got home that evening, I took out my journal and thanked God for answering my prayers, in His time, and I understood why. I thanked him for keeping hold of my son and for his healing soul.
“God’s greatest gift is unanswered prayer”
~Garth Brooks
Great news Lynn! So glad to hear your son reached out and the two of you got together! Thank God for restored relationships and answered prayers! I pray the relationship with your son grows stronger and stronger as time passes.
Thank you Mike for taking the time to read my article. I too am happy that Brad has reached out, it is a time of letting our relationship become what I have missed for so many years. Brad is growing in his life and his love for God.
Such sweet words, heartfelt and full of Gods grace. Thank you with love. Coram Deo ❤️
God hears all prayers from a contrite heart. His time is not our time and He always gives us what we need and not always what we want. Unanswered prayers are answered in a way we can never ever contemplate but result in a true blessing that reflects the glory of God. Coram Deo my beloved wife!