This post was originally published on May 19, 2009. I am re-publishing again for all mothers - whom may have given up hope; who are on the edge of despair; know that the Lord is with you! Call upon him with all your strength and grit; and He will answer! Believe me!I am very inspired to share one of many of God's Special Miracles with you, which happened a few years ago. This proves how Awesome God is. I certainly know and understand the challenges mothers face raising children on their own, especially boys as I was divorced when my children were still quite young; So I bore all the responsibility of raising them. I had to be mother and father, I was never overwhelmed though, as I always placed my trust and faith in God and instilled this in my children, but on this particular day I felt despair.
We always spent quality time together, and after work each day I made it a priority to share special time outside of homework for us to share the days activities and have our discussions which we truly enjoyed and looked forward to.
We were facing some challenges at the time and my older son was very frustrated, I could not arrive at a solution to what was bothering him, however, I had faith in God to help me through this. So I said, "Pray son, just pray, we will pray together-have faith." He lashed out at me saying, "Mommy, I pray, I pray always, but it does not work, God does not answer me. Prayer does not work!" I was appalled, Oh! No, I thought, what do I do? I tried to calm him down, but he was so upset. I went into my bedroom and slumped unto the bed, thinking no! I'm not giving up, I can't give up. I must be able to teach my children to have faith, there has to be a way! Suddenly the words came out of my mouth to God, I called out to Him, saying, "God! You have got to help me here, I can't do this on my own, I need You. Please hear me, please, please teach me how to teach my children to have faith in You. Please, show me."
I wasn't sure that God heard me, I felt so alone. But, He did, because as I sat there on my bed, I felt inclined to call them both into my bedroom to read a Psalm to them. My son was angry, but he was obedient. As we all sat on the bed together, I read Psalm 31. I read this Psalm from my heart, whatever difficulty I faced, this Psalm always guided me through. I was deeply moved, and feeling I had to hold on, I had to believe God would help me. They were, I noticed unusually quiet while I read, of course again I thought Oh No! They must be bored! So I tried to read more passionately. But that was not it, God was working!
Almost at the end of reading I became aware that it was raining, however, I continued until I reached the last word. I then looked at them and they were staring at me in awe! I wasn't sure, so I said, "I know it is not so easy to understand, to have faith, but believe me sons, God is with us." It was now my turn to look at them in awe! As they both answered, "I know mom." What a change! Now there were tears in my eyes as they said, "Mom as you began to read the Psalm the rain started and continued until you read the last word, it stopped as you read the last word mommy!" Then I noticed they were huddled together.
My older son was no longer angry, I saw the awe in their eyes. I could not help asking, "Are you sure?" They both nodded simultaneously, "Yes mommy, the rain stopped on the last word you read!" Then I thought where did the rain come from? There was no hint of rain earlier, no forecast of any showers. Of course not!! The answer in that was my children felt the answer, they knew God had spoken, and I knew God had heard me! He did show me! God answered me! He spoke to their hearts! I was so grateful to God.
From that day on, they understood the Power of God, what it meant to have faith, to persevere. They still remember this today.
There are tears of gratitude as I write this, it is true! I was just an ordinary mom, faced with challenges I didn't understand. What I did understand was to trust God. To Him be all the Glory. Thank you God.
The lesson is we must NEVER GIVE UP! God's mercy is endless!
With God's Love,
Natalie
