PATIENT
PRAYING (exerpt from the book…I
Prayed for Patience God Gave Me Children)
I
whooped and hollered with more enthusiasm than a teen at a rock concert. For
among all the parents present at that basic training graduation, I was among
the most grateful.
For
many young people, the first few months out of college can be a difficult
transition. Some are fortunate to know they will attend graduate school or find
employment in their field of education. Jim was one of the uncertain multitudes.
When he announced his decision to enter the Army, mouths went agape.
Jim
was the author of The Art of Passive Resistance for Children. Like the
mountain, he would not be moved. He was God’s answer to a prayer for patience.
With more skill than a video Samurai, he wielded his defiant sword against
every known discipline technique I tried.
My
first mistake was to own blame—to convince myself that Jim’s non-compliant
nature was my fault. Because I believed I was the cause, I took every right
turn available. One does not make forward progress by taking so many detours.
Against all my Herculean efforts, Jim’s passivity deepened with each passing
year.
Like
fighting fire with fire, every parental “trick” was out maneuvered. I took away
his allowance—he managed with less. I took away his television—he read comics.
Warnings railed into purposefully deafened ears. All our exaggerated attempts only
served to feed his amusement. Had I lost the war?
God
jolted my memory: If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives
generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him (James
1:5). In desperation, I finally turned to God, pleading for His wisdom
instead of relying on my own inadequate strength.
Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything,
by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And
the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts
and your minds in Christ Jesus (Philippians 4:6 – 7 NIV).
Then the
epiphany came.
God
had designed Jim, doggedness included. Someday that hard-core resistance would
become steadfastness. Annoying stubbornness would move him to conviction and
that constant rebelliousness would evolve into courage—according to God’s
timetable, not mine. From then on, I sought to nurture his independence
proactively instead of waging war against it. We both survived his growing up,
and he emerged a man of honor.
I watched my stubborn
soldier move methodically through his drills, secretly beaming with pride, and
assured that God
Winner of the 2012 Selah Award for best first novel The Other Side of Darkness/Harbourlight, LINDA WOOD RONDEAU, writes stories of God’s mercies. Walk with her unforgettable characters as they journey paths not unlike our own. After a long career in human services, Linda now resides in Jacksonville, Florida.\
Linda’s best-selling Adirondack Romance, It Really
IS a Wonderful Life, is published by Lighthouse of the Carolinas
and is available wherever books are sold.
These books are also available in ebook
format along with her other ebooks by Helping Hands Press: I Prayed for Patience/God Gave Me Children and Days of Vines and Roses. Songs in the Valley is scheduled for
release this fall by Helping Hands Press.
Readers may visit her web site at www.lindarondeau.com or email her at lindarondeau@gmail.com or find her on Facebook, Twitter, PInterest,
and Goodreads.
Website: Out of the Box Christian Literature
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