Do you ever wish that you could write someone’s story for them? Maybe a loved one, a friend, or your child? That you could just pick up the pen of their destiny and finish their story. Fill in their blank spaces with what you think would be best. Erase some things they have gone through in their past that was hurtful, painful. Skip ahead a few lines in their story to get to a brighter place faster for them. I know personally as a parent that I want nothing but a wonderful life for my children. A story filled with love, joy, light, and fulfilling moments. I want all of the good and none of the hard, ugly bits. What about a family member? Do you have a family member facing really tough times that you wish you could just write a beautiful ending for? You so badly to write in a moment that brings them joy instead of heartache for once. We just want them to have what we “know” is best for them.
But here’s the one hitch, we don’t know what is best for them. There is only one who does and that is our maker, our creator, our loving father, God. God says in Jeremiah 29:11, “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” We have all heard or read this bible verse most likely. It is one that gives us hope that God is still in control. You see, we may have really great plans for our loved one. We may have the perfect person in mind for them to marry, the perfect career, the perfect home or friendship in our minds that will allow them to be happy. But the thing is if it were up to us, we would leave out the hard moments. The tough ones that leave us reaching for God. The moments when we feel we have fallen too far. And sometimes those are the exact moment our loved ones need to endure in order to grow. Growth is not always a pretty picture. In fact, it is rarely a pretty picture. Most of the time growth is painful, uncomfortable, and confusing. But it is also in those moments of growth that we see God act and work in our favor. We see him chipping away at some negativity in our lives. We see him healing our bruised and broken hearts. We can see him intercede. Sometimes, we may think we know what our loved one or friend needs, but it takes the right timing for their help to really make a difference. God knows the perfect time for their healing process to begin.
God is all knowing. He is everywhere. At all times. Why would we have the pen when we are so very human? But it is in our human state that we can work. We can do our part on behalf of those we love who are hurting and just need God to step in with his beautiful pen and begin to write the next line in the story. Our part is the easy part, we pray. We lift up our loved one unto God. Philippians 1:19 says, “For I know that this will turn out for my deliverance through your prayers and the provision of the Spirit of Jesus Christ.” Ephesians 6:18 states “With all prayer and petition pray at all times in the Spirit, and with this in view, be on alert with all perseverance and petition for all the saints.” We may not know or understand what someone is going through. It is easy to put on a happy face with a pretty smile and act like everything is okay. But, when we pray, we are lifting up a prayer for God to intercede for that person. And who better to help than God who knows all?
My family personally knows the result of intercessory prayer. As we were on our way to church one morning we were hit by a young man and my son took the worst of the hit. He underwent a lot in the PICU of a hospital for 15 days and came out okay. When talking to a prayer warrior at our church, she told us that the morning of the accident around 9:00am she felt to have the church enter into a time of intercessory prayer…our car accident was at 9:10am. The church prayed powerful prayers for something they had no idea was happening as they were praying, but God knew. He had his hand upon us that day and I am forever grateful for a praying church family who listen to the voice of God. You can play a part in your loved ones lives. A very huge and important part at that. Pray. If you feel to pray a specific prayer, waste no time in doing so. God knows. He says in Isaiah 55:8, “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” sayeth the Lord. Lift up your petition to the One who can pick up the pen and begin writing.
He gives us Roots so we can Fly. Roots and Wings.
