By Guest: Barbara Peavy
My journey began 24 years ago when I received a telephone call that no parent wants. It was my worst nightmare come true.
But instead of taking you down Memory Lane, I want to fast forward to 2013.
I once again received that dreadful telephone call from my youngest son telling me that he was in “big” trouble. He has struggled with addiction on and off for years and it seems as though every time he gets out there, trouble is lurking just around the corner. Please understand, I am not using addiction as an excuse-our children do know right from wrong.
As a Mom I already knew trouble was coming because God always seems to alert me beforehand. But I can tell you when the dreadful day comes it makes it no easier. You are never quite prepared.
See, I have always believed that a Mom has two hearts. We have our mom heart and our spiritual heart. It is the mom heart that cries out in pain and despair over our children while the spiritual heart stands strong in God. The truth is that, unfortunately, our mom heart sometimes overtakes our spiritual heart for a season when our children are in trouble.
I have gone through oppression, that place where something weighs heavily upon me, but have not really known depression. But this time I traveled on the path of depression.
Depression is very sly. It sneaks up on you before you really realize that it has a grip on your heart.
I could feel myself sliding into a sadness that was overwhelming but it was like I couldn’t stop myself from slipping deeper into this unknown territory. Before long I was only functioning by doing what I had to do every day and wanting to sleep away this great sadness that had crept into my heart.
I tried pulling myself out of this pit to no avail.
It was like I was trying to climb a ladder and I only would make it a few rungs at a time only to spiral back down again. I had no strength left, I needed help and that kind of help only comes from trusting Jesus.
I realized my joy had been stolen and without His joy in my heart my spiritual strength had also faded. It was only when I realized where I was, how I got there, and that my joy was gone that I finally discovered it was too big for me to handle. I needed Jesus. He is the One who reached down and pulled me from this great sadness.
Even though I felt like I was alone during this time, in my heart I knew I wasn’t. For His Word declares: “…..I will never leave you nor forsake you.” (Hebrew 13:5)
It is very hard talking to others about your situation. I use to think I can’t tell anyone because they will judge me and my children. I was embarrassed of the situation, so I would try and handle everything myself. Twenty-four years ago I didn’t realize I was not just doing myself harm by going it alone, but I was hurting my sons too.
Yes both sons were arrested together and sent to prison.
And I was too afraid to tell anyone what was going on. But I soon discovered that when traveling this rocky road you need a companion to travel with you. Someone you can trust to pray for you and your children. One who can speak truth into your life and you accept it.
See I always tried to take care of every situation myself. I would give them to God and take them back over and over. I really didn’t trust anyone, including God with my children. It was a hard thing for me to learn, letting God be God in their life. God loves your child even more than you do. We must come to that place of total trust in Him. That is your child’s only hope and yours. We are not God, we are their Mom.
Let me leave you with this verse today:
“Thus says the Lord: ‘Refrain your voice from weeping, and yours eyes from tears; for your work shall be rewarded,’ says the Lord, ‘and they shall come back from the land of the enemy. There is hope in your future,’ says the Lord, ‘that your children shall come back to their own border.’” Jeremiah 31:16, 17
I’m beginning a series about what to do when your children are in prison at my website and I would love for you to join me. Please don’t make this journey alone. I’m here for you and so is The M.O.M. Initiative.
A Bit About Barbara:
Barbara Peavy is married to Danny, the love of her life. She is the mother of two sons, stepmom to three daughters and a son, and the unofficial adopted mother of two other sons and another daughter. She has twenty-eight grandchildren (you read that right!) and two great grandchildren. Needless to say, holidays at the Peavy house are busy and loud.
She’s a serious girl with a sense of humor who loves working in her gardens, kicking back in one of her sitting rooms and listening to the birds sing, while she does what she loves most…spends time with her Lord. Barbara loves leading women’s Bible study groups and encouraging women to know and experience the love of God. She has a bachelor’s degree in Christian education and has traveled around the world on a variety of mission trips. She has had the privilege of serving in Botswana, Zimbabwe, Mozambique, Honduras and Nicaragua. To find out more about Barbara, visit her website at http://barbarapeavy.wordpress.com.
IF YOU LIKE THIS POST, OR IF IT HAS ENCOURAGED YOU, PLEASE SHARE
JOIN US ON FACEBOOK and TWITTER too!
SUBSCRIBE to receive your FREE copy of Overwhelmed today!
AND/OR
SIGN UP to BEGIN a M.O.M. Initiative Mentor Group in your area! You will also receive a FREE copy of Overwhelmed and as a ministry tool, please feel free to make as many copies as you need.
- Ch…ch…ch…CHANGES Are Coming in 2017 for TMI - December 27, 2016
- What New Thing Are You Ready to See God Do in Your Life in 2017? - December 26, 2016
- Heaviness and Newness - December 23, 2016
