A Soul is a Terrible Thing to Waste

This photo was taken by my sweet stepdaughter Sara. She is 20 years old and one of the nicest, most giving people I've ever known. I find myself looking at this photo when I am upset. It instantly calms and comforts me.

Last night they had the awards ceremony for the basketball teams at my son's school. He received the Christian Character award for being an inspiration to his teammates. This comes less than a month after receiving the same award from the Middle School itself. His faith is, and always has been, very strong.

I know at least two mothers who read my blog are struggling with the pain of children who have turned away from God. Children who were raised in the word but have now chosen to ignore it. My son will be 15 in September. Since I'm a great worrier, I began to worry several years ago about how his faith would fare during the teen years. I did my best to give my worries to God, and trust that He had a plan for Jacob. So far, so good.

I was raised in the word, and I strayed very, very, VERY far away from it while traveling through my 20's. I know I gave my mother fits. I know she prayed with a vengeance that I would return to the fold. She never missed an opportunity to remind me of what I was missing. And of course that got old and I got cranky and learned to tune her out. This went on for years.

Then there came a day when we were talking on the phone (she lives in another state) and I began to share with her my fears and hurts and frustrations. Of course she jumped onto her pulpit and began to beg me to pray with her. That's all she wanted, just for me to pray. I wanted her to shut up. Not be quiet mind you - shut up. So I took a deep breath and muttered to myself "FINE." I entered into prayer with her, and my only motivation was to get her to stop nagging me.

We finished our conversation and I felt different somehow. But it wasn't anything I could put my finger on. It wasn't like thunder roared and suddenly I saw things in a new way. BUT, the next morning I awoke and began to systematically turn away from the sinful things in my life. I was determined to follow Jesus no matter what the cost. I was truly reborn, remade as I slept.

I don't share this story very often. Accepting Christ with the goal of shutting your mother up is not something one brags about. I guess it doesn't matter how my change came about, only that it did. But still....geez. I told this story to offer hope. Don't give up on your daughters. Keep reminding them that a soul is a terrible thing to waste. Wait for your moment - God will bring you one, I'm sure of it.