Broken Dreams

Last night I read this poem to some of you ladies at Bible study. It's short. It's simple. But it touched my heart in a way I just cannot describe to you. I had picked up the book "When Mothers Pray" by Cheri Fuller off my bookshelf yesterday morning and almost immediately found this poem. No coincidence there, mind you. My heart has been heavy about several things that I won't go into now but just suffice it to say, this poem hit a chord so loud within me that I could have cried. Oh wait, I did cry.

This book is amazing and one that I refer back to often when I hit a dry spot praying for my children. Sometimes I feel like I pray the same thing using somewhat different words but God consistently uses this book to speak to me deeply. Sometimes we just have to let go and let God. We have to release the lives of our children to their Heavenly Father who loves them more than we do, if you can imagine that. And oh, how hard it is to do that. But then, I remind myself: God has a plan and it is perfect! God is the God of right now! He is the one who knows the end of the story! No, I will probably never stop the constant thought train that barrels down the tracks of my mind concerning my children's well being but I've learned that if you have time to worry - you have time to pray.

Another thing that God gave me in His grace and mercy yesterday morning was to write in my journal specific Scriptures to pray for Garrett, Emily and Nick. I already knew some verses that I wanted to include but then I realized that God would give me the rest in due time. I only mention this as just an idea that might be helpful when praying for your own children. It is very powerful to pray Scripture over your loved ones. And don't forget to pray it for yourself. Certainly cuts down the guesswork, doesn't it? You know if you're praying Scripture that you are aligning yourself with God and His work.

So without further ado . . . "Broken Dreams"

As children bring their broken toys
with tears for us to mend,
I brought my broken dreams to God
because he was my friend.

But then instead of leaving Him
In peace to work alone,
I hung around and tried to help
with ways that were my own.

At last I snatched them back and cried,
"How can you be so slow?"
"My child," He said, "what could I do?
You never did let go."

Author - Unknown