Our son, my "sweetie" had a great batch of teen years. Up till the last one. We were so grateful to not have endured what so many parents had shared about their kid's teen years. At 19, our son decided it was his turn. He has a great gift of music, is called to lead worship, and was the leader of the Youth Worship team, and some comments made toward him really discouraged him. He forfeited TWO opportunities to be a part of a world wide music ministry. He could have had his own recordings within a year. He has a gift much like Michael W. Smith. He can pick up an instrument and play it. He was writing worship songs at age 13. Add to that the difficulties our family was dealing with due to a legal battle with the govt. Lots of harassment and things you would not imagine could happen our country. Needless to say he was disillusioned and could not understand that suffering and standing in faith was often a part of seeing God do mighty things in one's life. For us, it wasn't about ourselves, it was a call to stand for Christians' rights in the nation. He became so angry that he quit the worship team, stopped attending college classes and moved in with a girl ( we found out 3 months later as he hid that part from us).He had a mission trip to Guatemala paid for last year but had not faith that he could go so he didn't even get his passport renewed.
We were devastated. He wouldn't even spend more than 15 minutes with us, including holidays and even after DH's knee replacement, he left overnight when he was supposed to stay with me. It was layers and layers of hurt.
God has healed all of that and our son began to turn around a year ago, especially after getting away from that girl and her friends. He met another with a stronger faith and they married in April. We wish they would have waited longer, but, you know, they are adults,he is 21 now.
They are trying to find their way as they make faith
their own and not just the faith of their parents. KWIM? They both want to go to the next mission trip and I think that would be fantastic for the both of them. Missions changes the one who goes more than the ones they are sent to. He might recall his early years on the field with us, and realize the wonder of what we had and what he can have in his life. He has a hard time believing in his worth, which makes me sad. He has always had a quality of goodness in him. Want him to see that.
So prayers for favor in their jobs as right now our DIL is being told she will be fired if she goes. And CJ needs a better job that will allow this and part time college courses. And that the faith deepens as they exercise it! Thanks for listening!
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