Timing is Everything

"And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose." Romans 8:28

Have you ever prayed for a situation to change, like truly change? Many in various situations in life pray for their circumstances to change. For example, someone in an abusive relationship may pray for their abuser to change, ultimately changing their whole situation. Maybe your significant other told you that he no longer loves you and that he does not want to be a part of your life anymore. You may pray for your significant other to love you again. Maybe someone very dear to you suffers from a drug or alcohol addiction and you pray for them to stop using. Sometimes we pray so hard for God to change the situation when actuality, God wants the situation to change us. I am not saying this occurs in all circumstances, but there is truth to that. I prayed so much and for so long for Mark to quit drinking. I honestly thought God had forgotten about me and Mark. But I know that God does things at His time. When I look back now, I know things easily would have turned out differently had Mark admitted his addiction any earlier or later. The circumstances fell into place as God knew the right time. And yes, my prayers were answered as Mark's situation did change and it changed the both of us.

I actively attend Al-Anon and have found a group based out of Texas that I absolutely love. We had a guest speaker and she read what I am including below. It talks about putting your loved one in God's hands. It is about how a woman perceives what God would say to her regarding her son, who has a drug and alcohol addiction. Her son has been in and out of rehabilitation so many times that she quit counting. They have had to do countless welfare checks on him, each time knowing that he likely may not be alive. He will disappear months on end, without any contact with friends or family. Below is taken from the Al-Anon website.

"I’ve thought about my relationship with my Higher Power and my relationship with my son. Here’s what I think my Higher Power would say to me:

Shelley,

You want to hear from Me about letting your son go. You are not abandoning him, as much as it may feel like it. You are simply transferring his wellbeing from your care to Mine.

It was never My intention for you to direct, guide, and control his life. That is My role. Yours in the beginning was to love him, protect him, and teach him. You’ve done that. He was never yours to keep.

To have peace, you must let him go. Your stubborn self-will only gets in the way of the plans I have for him.

I know it is not your intention to interfere, but you are. You are not all-wise and all-powerful. You cannot remove his disease. You cannot love him to wellness. Only I can do that.

You must trust that I care for your son’s wellbeing. You must trust that I love him more than your humanly love. My thoughts, My ways, My plans are bigger than you can comprehend. Your lives are so short, yet you waste so much in worry and fear.

Yes, your son may cut his life short. That is not My intention, but it is his choice. He must trust Me also, and seek to have a relationship with Me. Only then can I work in his life. I will not force Myself on him or you. I am more than willing to be involved in your lives, but only to the degree you let Me. We both know what a struggle trusting Me has been for you.

You can’t make it any easier for your son to trust Me. He has to find Me on his own, and he’s doing that to the best of his ability. Let him do that. Get out of the way. Love him as My child, the way I love you. But let him go so that he can be himself, whoever that may be.

We’re in this together. You can come to Me anytime to tell Me your worries and concerns. I’ll listen. I always have. But I may choose to be silent. That’s My way of stretching you and growing you.

I know you love your son, and I love you for that. But ultimately, he is My child, and I know what’s best for him. Entrust him to Me and you will grow. You will find the peace you want. You have so much in your own life to focus on. Focus on growing yourself and let Me worry about your son.

Loving you always,

Your Higher Power" (Al-Anon.org by Shelley C. The Forum, April 2013)

I have read the above letter several times. I cry every time I read it. We need to trust God and trust His timing. I promise, if you leave it to God and trust in him, things will work out. It may not work out in the way you have envisioned it, but it will work out. Sometimes if we trust God and let it go, it transfers our burdons to Him, thus making our load lighter and easier to bear. This, is one of his greatest gifts and you too can be a receiver of His gifts. God is always with you. God always listens to you. God always loves you.