Writer’s Note: Two years ago this month, I went through a very difficult time and, though, due to current circumstances, I still can’t really talk about it in detail, I am happy to report that I came through it and am better for it. God showed Himself in more ways than one and took care of every little detail. What others meant for evil, God used for good. No matter what you are going through, please don’t ever give up on God, because I can promise you that He will never give up on you!

From my God-Journal, May 27, 2013

As the sun started playing peek-a-boo from the other side of my window early this a.m., I lay in bed praying. Soon, however, I started thinking about everything that is going on in my life and found that my prayers had all of a sudden turned into worry. When I discovered I was worrying, I returned to praying; then worrying; then praying; and so the morning went. During my last prayer stint, I heard a whisper deep in my spirit. Two words began to encircle my churning mind: prodigal son.
Prodigal son? What, Lord? What on earth does the story of the prodigal son have to do with me right now? Why would You compare me, Your child who loves You dearly, to this wayward character in the bible?

Grabbing my bible, I studied inherently the story outlined in Luke, Chapter 15, Verses 11-24, and then began to once again pray. I sat down at my computer as I often do when I feel a teaching coming my way. The words below are what I heard.
“Don’t be so literal, my child. Daughters can be prodigal, too, and the inheritance you squander doesn’t have to be financial. Child, do you forget that the day that you accepted My Son, You accepted Me and that when you accepted Me, you became a co-heir in My Kingdom? Go read Romans 8, Verses 14-17.

“For all who are led by the Spirit of God are children of God. So you have not received a spirit that makes you fearful slaves. Instead, you received God’s Spirit when he adopted you as his own children. Now we call him, “Abba, Father.” For his Spirit joins with our spirit to affirm that we are God’s children. And since we are his children, we are his heirs. But if we are to share in his glory, we must also share in his suffering.”

“Yes, but,” I found myself contradicting, “what exactly are you condemning me for, dear Lord? I know that I am Your child and I know and look forward to my eternal inheritance in Heaven. I also understand that I have to share in Your suffering in order to share in Your glory. I haven’t turned my back on that and I haven’t squandered it, have I?”

As I closed my bible and opened my eyes once again, it was if the Teacher had gotten up from behind His desk at the front of the class and walked over and stood beside mine. Though I readied myself for stern correction, I felt a gentle rain of love, patience and grace wash over me as He instructed my hands to turn to John 16:33.

“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”

The word “Peace” leapt off the page and at THAT moment it all became clear. Oh my, I thought, I am a prodigal daughter who has been squandering the very heart of my inheritance as I have essentially handed over my peace to people, circumstances and situations I was never intended to deal with on my own.

Oh, thank you, Lord, for your patience with me and for standing in the field, arms wide open, just waiting for me to return to your offer of peace in the midst of distress and turmoil and heartache and pressure; for the inheritance of peace that is born of Your guarantee to cause everything to work together for the good of those who love You and are called according to Your purpose…people like me.
Father, you have made me rich with this inheritance of peace, and I thank You today for these most difficult and trying times and, most especially, for this reminder that I can have peace through it all, because You are in me, and I in You. Help me to stand firm as we traverse this valley together. Amen and Ehmen.