Some of you reading this may roll your eyes thinking this is just another stor. A story that in changing the perspective, would have nothing to do with "praying" and more to do with coincidince. Others may read the title of this post and think back on all of the prayers you invested in your family, how much have been answered, and possibly a few that may be lingering unanswered. I'm writing this because I truly believe in the power of prayer. I've seen things change rapidly that haven't moved in years. It's hard for me to believe I've gone through life with out knowing how powerfull prayer can be. Its even harder to think of the things I've struggled with, and that if they were covered in prayer may have had a different outcome.
Lets start with my husband. Justin has been truly blessed with his job. It's given him the ability to provide easily for our family, a positive Christian based company, no commute, and he gets off in the early afternoon abeling him to be with his family most of the day we're awake. However, most of the years a particular employee he works closely with has had an extremely negative effect on Justin. This person has basically harrassed Justin on every aspect of his life. Justin is strong but sometimes is weakened by his constant cristicism and negativity. It was a constant struggle to see my husband constantly being attacked and belittled. If we were in an argument it always ended in the realization this needed to change. We've been married 8 years and I honestly didn't see how this dark spot on Justin's bright life would ever disappear. I've tried everything for him, Everything I humanly could except pray. I've always looked at prayer as a positive thing. Most of my life prayers were written out for me, and as I'd chant them I would try to relate them to my life. It was a struggle for me to turn my mind around, and positivley pray for difficult issues in our life. After I joined a women's group on praying for our husbands, it forced me to bring difficult topics to light. Our marriage has transformed to a level I never could've imagined we could be at together. Not only did Justin's life at work change, but his involvement with everything in his life has changed. He's excelling in his relationships at work, he's more positive, more involved, and all together just happier. I never mentioned to him the specifics of my prayers, until after we realized things had changed. I can't help but feel guilty for not praying earlier. But it's given me amazing insight on what prayer can do. Small miracles in my life from your view, but it's moved mountains for us.
On to my children.....or more so Austin. Since he's 3 and well nbsp;Lilly's still a baby and the most she needs prayer for isn't quite as complex as toddlers! I'm positive I'm not the only Mother who in the midst of an epic toddler meltdown, looks at the family next to me and covets their compliantly polite children sitting ever so perfectly at the table across from me. Their food is thouroughly enjoyed simultaneously as they discuss politics with their 2 year old, while holding hands and waiting eachothers turn to speak at an even decibal. Before I had children I would watch Mothers in grocery stores with their children's perfectly parted hair, fresh pressed clothes, gazing into their blissfull Mother's eyes not even attempting to ask for the M&M's they're eyeing. I would watch these families and my heart would be giddy with excitement on the prospect I just knew that's how MY family would be. God makes those families because He knows this world needs popuation. I'm sure of that. From the day I found out I was pregnant my journey to parenthood was certainly not up to par with my visions from before!
We take Disneyland trips at least once a month since Austin was 14 months old. You would think at this point we would remember that it's going to be at times exhausting, and not anything near our pre- real life of children expections. We go back because the things we remember are the short beautiful moments when your child runs up to Mickey in a bear hug and has a smile that lights brighter than the Disneyland fireworks. This recent trip to Disney went like clockwork. Right around 2 o'clock (nap time) the gut wrenching screaming starts. My belief is it's a mix of overstimulation, lack of sleep, lack of routine, and way WAY too many exciting things the child is not allowed to touch. Lets not forget the re-teaching of waiting your turn in line over and over and OVER again. This time when I felt my blood start to boil and things start to fall apart. I silently prayed long and hard for every member in my family, it normally sounds a bit like this. "Lord change us. Grant Austin, Justin, Lilly and me patience. Help Austin to be COMPLIANT, help Lilly sleep easily, give my husband energy and the strength to discipline and lead in the way you want him to. Give me the answers to how I should handle my children in the way YOU know they will respond to. Help us to make a memory here." I utter this over and over and over again. Before I knew it, Justin turned to me in amazement that our son is patiently waiting in line. My son waiting his turn is with out a doubt a miracle for us. Austin sat and ate dinner with almost no complaint, miracle number 2. Both of my children fell asleep peacefully in their strollers, as Justin and I shared an ice cream Sunday. We were stopped 4 times with people giving us looks of "aww such beautiful children". For the 2nd half of our visit, WE were the blissfull family. God gave us a gift that night. Justin full heartedly believes this was because of prayer. There is just no other answer as to how our son completely changed before our eyes this day. We left feeling a sense of closeness with each family member we did not walk in with.
God is moving in my family. His hands are on each person. And the minute we open our hearts and ears to Him, He's able to form a bond that no one can break. If anyone is struggling with their faith, you just have to give Him the opportunity to move. He is the only One who can change hearts. You have to be willing to let Him.
"When we pray, we are humbling ourselves before God and saying, 'I need Your presence and Your power, Lord. I can't do this with out you.' When we don't pray, it's like saying we have no need of anything outside of ourselves."-Stormie Omartian
