An Answer to a Seven Year Prayer

We have been praying for seven years... since becoming Christians... for God to work in a situation.  We have prayed and watched and waited for God to work.   After seven years of prayer, it begins to feel like our prayers aren't being heard or that the answer is "no".   Why else would circumstances slowly get worse year after year?

It was a last ditch effort.  I called it "Our Final Battle".  I was tired.  My husband was tired.  We had prayed and prayed and waited and waited.  We had felt the helpless feeling of knowing you aren't in control, and wondering if things would ever get better.  We had decided that we would do what we could do, and trust God to do what we couldn't... if it was His will.   We weren't sure at all what His will was after seven years of this situation just running us over.

The whole time we was desperate for God to work.  We know that His timing isn't our timing.  We have seen Him come through for us many times in other situations.  Yet, in this one, it felt different.  Even though we "thought" we knew what God "should" do, He never worked as we expected.  Often, it felt like He wasn't there at all.

Yesterday, after seven years of pleading with God, prayers, tears, ups and downs of a roller coaster we didn't ask for, and lots of Godly counsel... God answered.  When He answered, He left no doubt that HE was the one that was in control!

A child we thought would always only be a peripheral part of our lives, would always be in difficult circumstances, was given her voice.   She was allowed to speak... and it brought her home.

The road ahead for her and for us is not a journey for the weak of heart.  She has more to do.  We will be by her side.   I know that God has amazing plans for this child.  She has a testimony already that could and probably will touch lives and hearts.  I pray that God uses her for His purposes, and that she will continue to grow in her relationship with Him, her Savior.

All I can say is, "Thank You, Jesus".