Healing and Restoration

I shared with you earlier that my son and I had been estranged for a period of two years during which time I was continually praying that God would do whatever it would take to bring George back to Him.  And guess what?  After two long years of persistent prayers, God answered. 

It was around Thanksgiving time in 2009 that I received a call from my son.  He apologized to me for things that had been said and done in the past and he shared the struggles that he had been recently going through.  I accepted his apology and forgave him.  And over the days and weeks ahead he shared many things with me, not just the struggles, but how he had renewed his relationship with the Lord!  Was the two years of estrangement worth it?  You betcha!  God heard my prayers and answered them!  George was turning his life around and getting back on the right track.  He sounded happier and more optimistic about life than I had ever heard him sound. I believe for the first time in his life he was truly at peace.  He talked of his marital separation, of his great love for his 3 year old daughter, of his love for his sister and his dad, and his hopes for healing in those relationships as well.  It was during this time that we were making plans to move in with him.  Life was so good! 

I was pondering all of this as I sat on his bed, holding his pillow.   I could choose to be angry at God for taking my boy when we had just experienced healing and restoration of our relationship or I could choose to rejoice in answered prayer, knowing that George, in his last few months, had been more in love with the Lord than ever before.  I chose to rejoice in that answered prayer, knowing that the instant George breathed his last breath, he was in the presence of the Lord experiencing ultimate healing and restoration.  

We didn't stay long at George's house - there more miles to drive before we reached our destination and more challenges to encounter on my journey.  

Now, I am not saying that choosing the latter was always easy.  It was a conscious decision that I had to make many times.  Did I ask God "why?"  Yes I did, many times, and I still do.  Do I have an answer yet?  No.  Does that bother me?  Sometimes.  But I will forever be thankful for those few months that George and I shared before his death.  How sad and difficult it would have been for me to have him die before the healing and restoration could take place.

Sometimes no matter how hard we try, healing and restoration never takes place in a broken relationship.  Other times it does.  If you are experiencing a difficult time in an important relationship, take time today to do what you can to make it right, pray for wisdom and trust fully believing all the while that there is

Sunshine After the Storm

Blessings,

Betsy

P.S.  I am blessed by your comments. 

Senior Picture, KHS Class of 1999