In His Hands

Countless times I have found myself on my knees praying for my daughters, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. Depending on the season we were in, one or the other was wandering, lost, in a broken relationship, questioning self-worth, feeling hopeless, depressed, anxious, wounded, grieving, isolated, financially distraught, and/or ill.

Being a parent is tough. It's especially hard when your child drifts away—not just from home, but from everyone who cares about them. The pain this causes is indescribable; I can only imagine it like a dagger to the heart. We find ourselves gasping for breath, overcome by waves of grief. "Los suspiros," as we Latinos say, the deep sighs that rise from a broken heart accompanied with an endless stream of tears.

The days blur together with despair being our constant companion. We look at their baby pictures, wondering how we went from a life filled with warmth and intimacy to one marked by coldness and distance. Sometimes it is the result of poor parenting.

Longing to hear their voice and feel their presence at home. Making memories. Holding hands while strolling through town. Gaining wisdom from their vast experiences. Smelling and caressing their hair. Sharing dinner while watching a movie. Kissing the back of their neck. Remembering the arguments we should not have had and the unsaid apologies.

Now, the world feels quieter, and we realize there's only One who can help us endure the pain of being separated from our children. We cry out to the Lord morning, afternoon, night, and all the moments in between, knowing that His strength is the only source of hope available to us.

Jochebed, a Levite (group set apart by God for His Divine service) saw that her newborn son was special. She knew that keeping him hidden was critical because Pharoah had ordered every first-born baby boy to be thrown into the Nile River.

BUT GOD!

This mother placed her infant son into a basket made of papyrus reeds and waterproofed it with tar and pitch. She was aware that she had to strategically place the basket with the baby in the reeds where Egyptian women would pass. Then Miriam, Moses’ sister follows him. This mama walked by FAITH!

Think of King David when he prayed for his son Solomon, asking God to grant him wisdom and a heart that would follow God's commandments (1 Chronicles 29:19). Later, when God invited Solomon to request anything he desired, Solomon asked for wisdom to have a discerning heart, and God granted his wish (1 Kings 3:9-13).

God answers parent’s prayers!

In the Book of Acts, (Acts 4:24) reminds me there are some things that is so much greater than my finite ability to change. Saving our children is by far, for me, the top of the list of impossibilities. However, when we pray to the Sovereign Lord who made the heavens and the earth and the sea and everything in them, we know we are praying to the One who is full of possibilities and fully able to change our children!

There’s a formidable enemy who comes like a typhoon for those he can drown. But the Lord has set a holy standard against him. Parents can lose hope when their prayers seem unanswered. The idea of praying and waiting patiently can be daunting. But that's exactly what Satan wants—to make us give up on our children, on ourselves, and on God.

Do Not Give Up!

No one is too lost, broken, shattered, bruised, or spiritually barren for God to reach. His hand is never too far to change a situation. Our Father does not hesitate to save us (1 Timothy 2:4). His desire is to save everyone. All means all. He is overflowing with love, forgiveness, grace, and mercy. We can trust Him completely.

What may seem impossible to us is entirely possible for God. He can do far more than we could ever ask or imagine. Our limited understanding cannot compete with an unlimited, all-powerful God.

For God so loved the world that He gave

His One and Only Son, that whoever believes

in Him shall not perish but have eternal life.

John 3:16

A Love Beyond Measure

Reflection: How does the truth of God's immeasurable love impact your understanding of His character? In what ways can you deepen your awareness of being encompassed by His boundless love?

As we meditate on John 3:16, may the reality of God's love penetrate the depths of our hearts. May we be overwhelmed by the magnitude of His sacrificial gift and respond with wholehearted belief in Jesus Christ. In embracing this love beyond measure, may our lives become a testimony to the transformative power of God's love for the world.

This is what the Lord says: “A voice is heard

in Ramah, mourning and great weeping, Rachel

weeping for her children and refusing to be

comforted, because they are no more.” 16 This is

what the Lord says: “Restrain your voice from

weeping and your eyes from tears, for your work

will be rewarded,” declares the Lord. “They will

return from the land of the enemy. 17 So there is

hope for your descendants,” declares the Lord.

“Your children will return to their own land.”

Jeremiah 31:15-17

From Mourning to Hope: God's Promise of Restoration

Reflection: In what areas of your life or the world do you witness "Rachel's weeping"? How can you bring these concerns before God, allowing Him to hear and share in your grief?

As we meditate on Jeremiah 31:15-17, let us find solace in God's promise to transform mourning into joy. The emotional journey we are on will be transformed from mourning to hope, assuring us believers that even in the darkest moments, God's comforting hand is at work, promising eventual restoration and a hopeful future for those of us who trust in Him. May we cease our weeping in confident anticipation of the restoration and hope that God graciously extends to us and our descendants.