"So let's not get tired of doing what is good.
At just the right time we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don't
give up." (Galatians 6:9 NLT)
I still remember the
day we brought the little boy of seven into our home. His innocent look,
skinny features and watery eyes filled my eyes with tears. Both his
parents had left him alone and he was in a paternal aunt's house. Her
son used to beat him for every single reason. As this lady came to the
Lord, she shared about this child to me. So we as a family adopted him
into our own family. My son may have been 1 ½ - 2 years old at that
time.
We gave him our love, met all his
requirements, and sent him to school. But he started quarrelling with
other children in the school and one day when he was in fourth standard,
he beat another boy on his head. And I had to put five stitches on the
boy's head.
Not only that, he also started telling lies
and stealing money from home. As he grew up, even though we loved him,
we disciplined him; yet he still didn't completely give up these habits.
By this time two more boys of our own were added to our family.
Disciplining children is not an easy task. I prayed to the Lord for
patience, for self-control, and for the fruit of the Spirit to be seen
in my life.
After his twelfth standard, his desire to
become rich quickly made him leave home without
informing us. It broke my heart. Still without
losing hope, I prayed. He joined multi-level
Business Company. In order to meet his
business objectives he borrowed money from many people known to us, by
using our name.
But God is a compassionate father and he
listens to His children's cry. He is a God who seeks and restores people
who are lost. For two years, he wandered from place to place, trying to
find success but failed at each step. Finally, he called us, asked
forgiveness and expressed his desire to come back to us. God taught us
to forgive and forget. So we received him as the father received the
prodigal son back. Then he stayed with us and helped us in the ministry.
When we felt that he was mature enough to take
on the responsibilities of a family, we arranged for his marriage, and
in 2017, he got married to a God fearing, beautiful girl. Now they are
serving Lord in a place called Kurenar in Kanker district in
Chhattisgarh, India.
The parenting process is difficult and
painful. Sometimes it brings pain and shame to us. But take up the
challenge prayerfully, and leave the rest to the Lord.
"Your children can run away from you, from
their home, from the Church...
...but they can never run from your prayers!
Keep on praying!"
Reena Thomas
The Illustrator: This daily newsletter is dedicated to encouraging
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