Saturday, September 07, 2013

My mother's answered prayers

Every Christian knows the story of Moses. Born to slaves, hidden in a basket made of reeds, found by an Egyptian princess, raised as a prince of Egypt, murdered an Egyptian, exiled himself to be a shepherd in the desert, found God in a burning bush, threatened and brought down on Egypt the plagues, and brought out the people of Israel from slavery. When the Egyptian army chased after the fleeing Israelites, Moses raised his hands over the Red Sea and it parted to let his people pass. When the Egyptians followed, he raised his hands again and the water swallowed up their enemies. Then there's the 40 years of wandering in the desert while God prepared the hearts of His people for the promised land. Then there's the Ten Commandments!

The story of Moses is a great story! The stuff of legends. What people don't know is how it ended. Moses was used mightily by God to bring His people to the land of milk and honey but God did not allow Moses to set foot on that land. Instead, He brought Moses up onto a mountain on the border of the promised land and showed him the land, and then God kissed his beloved servant and Moses died.

The people of Israel mourned for Moses but after their grief, they all crossed over to the land that God promised them. After 120 years of preparing for his role as the man who freed the Israelites to lead them to the land of promise, Moses died. He didn't see it happen but it happened.

* * * * * * *

My sister Jacqui spends some nights over at my house. Since I have no household help, she comes over regularly to help take care of the boys. One night, we were talking about our mother, whose death anniversary is this month.

"Jacqui, it's been five years since Mama died," I said, not in the exact words as I'm writing now but I'm paraphrasing. I continued, "You know how I said in my eulogy that I am clinging to God's promise in Jeremiah 29:11? That God has plans to prosper us and not to harm us, and that His plans are to give us a hope and a future? And then I said that I'm excited to see what God has planned for our family? Well, it's been five years. I don't see any changes. In fact, sometimes I think God took Mama away not for us but for her sake. If she could see what our family's like today, I think it would kill her anyway. So maybe God knew what was going to happen and so He took her away because He knew she wouldn't be able to take it."

I've been feeling really bummed about this. Maybe even resentful and impatient and maybe even betrayed. I have begun doubting God and His promises. I was afraid.

* * * * * * *

This evening, at our prayer meeting, we were talking about the problems and situations where we want to see deliverance. I said, "I've been praying about (certain things) for more than a year now but I don't see any changes. Am I not praying long and hard enough?"

And my friend Earl said, "Don't ever look to the results! God will move in His time. You must pray in faith that He will answer you."

And then she suddenly said, "Your mother prayed and prayed for you. And now, five years after she died, her prayers have been answered. Look at you now!"

"But she's not here to see it!" I cried, my tears spilling over in despair.

"It doesn't matter! What matters is her prayers were answered!"

* * * * * * *

Mama prayed for all of us. I don't know what she prayed about for the other members of our family but I know she wanted me to have a happy marriage, to want and love motherhood, to see the value of family, to be friends with my siblings, to forgive my Papa and my older brother, and to go back to God and to be in fellowship with His people.

Every time Mama said, "I'm praying for you," I would lovingly say that I don't believe in marriage, I don't like kids, I value my career more than anything, it's next to impossible to be friends with people you don't get along with, and that I don't see myself having fellowships. I told her, "Mama, it's just not going to happen."

Well, it happened. All of it. I didn't realize Mama's prayers were answered until Earl pointed it out. And I am amazed! Everything my mother wanted for me, her dreams for me, the prayers she stormed the gates of heaven for me, they've all come true! She may not have seen it in her lifetime but they came true!

I almost fainted at the realization. I have been rebuked, I have been made to see what I've been blind to all this time—that God does move mightily and He does so in His time and in His way!

I have been delivered from my doubts and my fears. I now again cling to the promise of that hope and future. Thank You, God! I'm excited to see Your will unfold in me, in my marriage, in my kids, in the lives of my father and my siblings! Amen.

14 comments:

  1. I'm deeply touched by this, Ms. Frances. It totally moved me. Superb writing! You definitely expressed what you truly feel. GOD is really an amazing GOD!:-) Kisses to your adorable kiddies!:-*

    ReplyDelete
  2. I was moved by this article...a wonderful read to start the day! God is good all the time:)

    ReplyDelete
  3. Amen! :) Claiming His blessings and plan with you!

    ReplyDelete
  4. a mother's prayer is powerful talaga.

    my mom would often tell me, her prayers for me and my brother is always: "Lord, hindi ko po hawak ang buong araw nila. Kayo na po ang bahala sa kanila." and "Lord, bago ako mamatay, sana may taong papalit sa kin na mamahalin at aalagaan ang mga anak ko".

    I think, her second prayer are the same for all mothers. You mom is peacefully at rest and happy because someone takes care and loves you, Frances.

    ReplyDelete
  5. The testimony you wrote down is such a blessing. Deep in my heart, I long for the day when I can go back to church. It's been nine years since I went and I feel that I am short changing my kids on eternal life and salvation. I can hardly share God's word to my husband and my kids because I know I have not been a living testimony. Hurts so much that I am this way. I don;t know how my life story unfolds but I hope it could be just as great as it was for you.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I understand how this feels like, but then one fine day I finally hauled myself to church and chanced upon a beautiful sermon on how we don't need to prepare ourself a certain way in order to get back to God, otherwise this would not do justice to His power and love. We just need to make a decision that we want to go back to Him, and He will do the rest. Hope this will be as helpful to you as it was to me :)

      Delete
    2. I think that's a lovely thought. Many of us only turn to God when we're at our worst or when we've done our best and nothing still happened. We should go to Him from the very start!

      Delete
  6. This is a very inspiring and moving post. Thank you for sharing this. God bless you.

    ReplyDelete
  7. I remember when you shared with me about Jer 29:11. :)

    Love this post. Is your friend Earl the wife of Juda?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yes! She's my neighbor, friend and prayer partner!

      Delete
  8. Hi Frances! It's my first time to comment to a blog. I follow quite a lot silently. But your testimony moved me. Like what you used to feel, I was getting impatient and having doubts if God is really doing something in my life (Parents are both getting old and I'm still single. I'm praying for God's best). Then there's my mother who is very vocal about her prayers for me, which I slightly ignore most of the time. And what you shared reminded me of the power of a praying mother. Maybe God is busy backstage orchestrating the big show He is preparing for me. Whether I see Him working or not, I know that in His perfect timing I will see the fulfillment of His plan for me. I look forward to the day when, just like you now, I try to connect the dots backwards and in hindsight, this season of waiting will bear its fruit. Thank you.
    PS. I saw you at CBTL 26th street. That's what triggered me to visit your blog today and read my "backlogs"and I think God led me to this post. Thanks for this encouragement.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Wait with faith! =) I am sure God's plans for you are beyond your own comprehension. =)

      P.S. You shoulda said hello!

      Delete
    2. Thanks! =) I was really shy. Next time I won't be and I hope to have a picture taken with you. More power to you. Keep on inspiring. =)

      Delete

Thanks for dropping by my blog! It really means a lot that you spare the time to read... and comment!