Dear Friends,
My nature is to fix things. Like the television character McGyver, if there isn’t a ready solution, I’ll jury-rig one. But temporary fixes are usually inadequate when it comes to fixing people.
The story is told about a farmer in the Midwest who heard the warning sirens sounding and raced into his tornado shelter. For several minutes, the sound was deafening as a tornado passed directly overhead. When the farmer emerged from his shelter — oblivious to all of the damage around him — he whistled and said, “It sure is calm since the wind stopped a-blowin’”
That’s how our son John seemed to respond when he was released from five days in intensive detox. Refusing to surrender to the truth, he plans to kick his addiction “his way.”
At one point, our frustration became so great that Bonnie curled up in the back seat of the car praying, “Dear Lord, help me to see John through your eyes. Jesus, I need you like I haven’t needed you for a long time.”
Suddenly, she startled John and me as she burst into laughter. What’s up?” I asked.
Pointing to a large lighted billboard she said, “I needed Jesus, and he reminded me he was near.”
On Sunday morning John attended church with us. We asked the pastor to talk to him about joining a Celebrate Recovery group, but we realize the desire can’t come from us; it’s up to John. Bonnie and I left Atlanta saying to ourselves, “Our kids are grown, we’ve done our best. It’s up to God to do the rest.”
On our return flight from Atlanta we listened as the flight attendant gave her standard safety spiel, “In the event of an emergency, before attempting to help others, put on your own oxygen mask.” A child who suffers from an addiction can suck the air out of a relationship. We believe the Scriptures can be the oxygen mask that helps you pull through.
Sometimes the hardest thing we can do as Christians is to “let go and let God.” Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord.” Psalm 27:14
When we become frustrated, we need to focus on love. “Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.” 1 Corinthians: 4-7
When we feel tired, with hope fading, we need to learn to wait. “But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.” Isaiah 40:31
When we want to solve the problem … their problem, we need to remember: “Fathers, do not exasperate your children; instead, bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord.” Ephesians 6:4
We’ve been through this kind of drill before and find it hard to imagine a good outcome. In times like this we turn to Ephesians 3:20-21: “Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.”
Bonnie and I continue to pray for John and his fiance, and we are grateful for our friends who have supported us with their prayers, and lifted our spirits with emails and cards. We are truly blessed.
Blessings,
Your Friends in Christ
Because He Loves Us Press 