He was the first-born. The most beautiful child that ever graced the face of this earth. His thick brown hair, and eyes of liquid chocolate revealed the Italian blood that ran through his veins. A smile and laugh that could disarm any Goliath who dared to cross his path.
A brilliant child who scored high on all achievement and academic evaluations. He was loved by piers and teachers alike. A strong musical talent was the passion of his life.
The Lord grabbed the heart of this one early on. Pulling up to red lights as a pre-teen, he would motion for the driver in the next car to roll down their window. As they did he would say, “Hey, Jesus loves you! Just thought you should know.” Then driving off, he would lean back in the seat laughing at the radical way he found to share Truth.
It seems overnight he changed. The love of life became a drive to numb all feeling of pain that living in this world causes. Coupled with baggage from generations past, drugs became his only companion.
I prayed for years for direction. Hospitals, counseling, and many attempted suicides left me on the floor begging God to intervene, as I watch him, day after day, year after year slip further down the vortex into a pit whose depth and darkness I never knew possible.
There were many days I would go through the motions of life, not knowing if he were still alive.
One day I convinced him to let me take us to a healing ministry eight hours from here. My man-cub spent time on the beach praying and thinking as we waited for our appointment time to arrive.
Once there we spent three hours in soaking prayers then headed back the eight hours home.
It was dark when we left. All the while I was praying for God to give me a sign. Are we good? Did this make a difference?
Silence
I began to occupy my time in the passenger seat by taking pictures. As we crossed the bridge leaving I took a quick picture. Not expecting much because of the darkness and the bumping of the road.
Returning home I began to process the pictures gasping as I processed the bridge picture.
It looked like we were crossing a bridge of musical notes.
I took this as a sign that God knew the heart of my man-cub, and was directing his path.
It was still many years before I saw real change in him, but as an inch-worm is to the path, change began to come. So slowly that at times it seem no change was happening at all.
“And they will no longer defile themselves with their idols, or with their destestable things, or with any of their transgressions; but I will deliver them from all their dewlling places in which they have sinned and will cleanse them. And they will be My people, and I will be their God. Ezekiel 37:23
Linking with Getting Down with Jesus, To Love Honor and Vacuum, Word Filled Wednesday,Walk with Him Wednesday, Proverbs 14, Women Living Well, Deep Roots at Home
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you picture drew me here…your words drew me in…I love how God gives us those wonderful kisses on the cheek…just to kind of Him. I am so sorry for you long struggle and am thankful He is finding peace and healing. blessings to you~
Thank you, R.Ellott, It is a difficult story to tell, with so much I still cannot talk about…maybe one day.
Wow! So wonderfully written – you carried me along with you! …Maybe it’s because I relate…
Thank you Ester, I’m sorry that you can relate. I pray God will touch your loved one this very day.
The beach shots are beautiful, but that bridge?? Amazing, and what a sweet reminder from the Lord. So glad you persevered in prayer for your man-cub, and hope he’s walking in health & wholeness.
Thank you Susan. It’s like a diet, he makes daily choices.