The most terrifying night of my life was in Kenya, East Africa as my first born daughter (18 moths) lay sick in a hospital crib. Steve and I were missionaries at the time and Bethany had caught both a virus and a bacterial infection and the Dr.’s were stumped. So there lay my precious daughter in an African hospital sick and listless. I remember peering over that crib and praying, “God, please, please show the Dr.’s what to do!” I was pregnant with our son at the time and every hour I ran down the hall to vomit in the bathroom. Meanwhile, listless in the crib, Bethany was losing ground. As I lay on the cot next to her crib listening to the cacophony of African sounds, I made the most pivotal decision of my parenting career. I got off the cot and down on to my knees. As I knelt their before the Lord with tears streaming down my face, I prayed, “Oh Lord, I love this little girl more than life. She is such a precious gift you have given to Steve and I, but Lord, tonight I surrender her to you. (I remember opening my hands in a gesture of surrender) whether you take her to be with you or allow us to keep her, I will choose to praise you.”
Peace didn’t com right away but, eventually I feel asleep on that dirty cot. The next day I went back to the guest house in Nairobi to take a shower and STeve came to stay with Bethany. When I arrived back at the hospital, Steve was super excited! A monkey had come to Bethany’s window and for the first time in four days, she sat up and looked out the window and shouted excitedly, “Monkey! God had graciously healed our daughter.
The Psalmist, David, wrote, “Every good thing I have comes from you!” (Psalm 16:2 NLV) Our children are a precious gift from God. As mother’s we love them beyond imagination but ultimately we must surrender them to the Lord, because they are a gift from God. They are not ours to keep, control or idolize. They are ours to surrender for God to use for HIs glory.
Today, whether your child is a toddler, teen or adult, maybe you need to pray this prayer of surrender, “Lord Jesus, you know how much I love this child (put in their name) but this child belongs to you. I surrender this child to you. Whether you answer my prayers in a way that makes me happy or not, I will choose to praise you.”
Today, I’ll be giving away 2 copies of Be the Mom by Tracey Eyster from Family Life. https://www.facebook.com/BeTheMom But, You must leave a comment to be able to be in the drawing to win.
6 Responses
Nikki Shipley
There is nothing worse than that helpless feeling when you can not help children. I had to learn to release our son when he was a Meth addict. For a long time I thought I was giving our son over to God; but a good friend who was my prayer partner/warrior pointed out that I hadn’t really given over our son after she heard me pray out loud. I was telling God what I thought needed done, how, and what I wanted. She taught me the truth…”not my will, but your will”. I surrendered our son, really God’s child, and trusted God to know what was best. God promised ” If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask God, who gives liberally and without reproach”. His way was not my way, but it has been 3 years and God’s child is still Meth free.
Natalie Wilson
One of the most important decisions as a mom was to love my son right where he was/is at. His junior year of high school was one of the most difficult of our lives. At 24 he has a beautiful strong relationship with the Lord. He loves people and tries to see the best in them. This fall he is beginning school to become a nurse. And last fall his partner, who hated Christians, came to a relationship with Christ.
Lourdes Diaz
Thank you so much for sharing, I have a son who is a junior as well and I am going through the hardest season with him , but truth be told I was telling god the same and today I choose to let go and let god!!!
Lyn Thomasson
I am leading a prayer group, that we pray for our families members and schools
children, even the bus drivers. Today! I felt the Lord to say tell them to give me
their children no matter of what age. I have an apron I will pass a round to put on
then take off and give their children by calling out their names to God our Father in Jesus
name by the Holy Spirit. Thank you for your web site and article. What amazing God
we serve. Much blessings in His Name thank you.
Eve
Life is too difficult for me right now and am forced to consider surrendering two of my sons but don’t know where to start. Please help?
Becky
Praying for you, Eve! I wonder if you could find a counselor to help you decide what to do. Blessings to you!
Becky