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Previous Challenge Entry (Level 4 – Masters)
Topic: Sower and Four Types of Soil (Matthew 13:3-8,18-23, Mark 4:3-20, Luke 8:5-15) (01/25/24)
“He who goes out weeping, bearing the seed for sowing, shall come home with shouts of joy, bringing his sheaves with him.”

Little did I know how impactful this Scripture would become in my life.

The year was 2012. My husband and I had just finished dinner when there was a knock on our door. “Now who could this be” I whispered, “especially on a weeknight.” So imagine my surprise when I opened the door and saw our oldest son Daryl. “What’s wrong?” I asked, for I knew he would not make the trip from New Jersey to Pennsylvania for no good reason.

“Can I come in?” He mumbled.

My alarm bells were going off, but I ushered him Into the kitchen to sit with his dad and myself as he began to pour out his story with us.

His wife of twenty years had a secret addiction he could no longer keep secret. He wanted to share with us. Apparently she had a financial addiction that led her to max out multiple credit cards she had obtained in her name. How she was able to keep this addiction from him, none of us could figure out. But she did.

“Twice I paid off her debt.” He cried. “Now she has us in debt for a third time. I can’t do this anymore. I’m separating.”

Oh, no!

We loved his wife. Why would she do this to her family? What was her motive? What did she hope to accomplish? I didn’t want this separation for my son or his children, but his mind was made up.

Not only was my trust shattered toward my daughter-in-law that night, but my son stepped away from his relationship with God. This boy, who once had a vibrant testimony of faith, walked away. He stopped going to church. Stopped being involved in any kind of serving ministry. Stopped praying. This hurt he was going through caused him to grow further from God, rather than draw him closer to God.

As his mom, I had prayed for him from the moment he was born that God would grow him into a godly young man who loved God and wanted to serve him. I sowed many tears for him in his journey. I rejoiced the day he was baptized, declaring he wanted to follow Jesus forever. Those tears, shed in earnest, finally landed on good soil and the roots began to grow. I watched as my son grew in his love for all things Christian.

But all that stopped in 2012. The growing ceased. He was walking on hard ground; ground that was unable to let the Word penetrate his heart. He was stepping between the thorns and thistles trying to survive. Satan had indeed snatched away everything good and godly from his life, yet he continued to travel this rock-hard path, not seeming to want to turn around for something better.

But he couldn’t stay there.

I wouldn’t let him stay there.

God wouldn’t let him stay there.

Or at least that is what I tried to tell myself. For the next eight years my garden was being planted. Planted with tears from a mom with a broken heart. Planted with pleas of “please God, bring him back to you.” Planted with questions, “why did all of this happen?” Planted with anger, “how could she do this to her family?”

Eight years I prayed, cried, begged, pled and finally surrendered to a God who knows all, sees all, understands all and, in his time and way, will answer every prayer.

Little did I know that eight years later his middle brother would be the one to reach his hard heart and draw him back to God. Daryl fell on his knees in surrender, seeking God’s forgiveness, admitted running was not the answer, and came back to God.

What a wonderful answer to my prayer.

Today Daryl is a vibrant Christian who loves God. He is serving God in his local church in a men’s ministry and a prayer group. I stand back in amazement at what God has done in his life.

I am again reminded that “those who sow in tears shall reap with shouts of joy!” My garden was planted with tears, but when my son left the rock-hard path for the good soil to follow Jesus, I saw a garden of roses begin to bloom.

Hallelujah!

“Those who sow in tears shall reap with shouts of joy!”


Scripture from Psalm 126:5-6 - ESV
This story is non-fiction
The opinions expressed by authors may not necessarily reflect the opinion of FaithWriters.com.
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Member Comments
Member
Date
Noel Mitaxa 
02/02/24
Powerfully and painfully expressed, with joy overtaking the pain. All with greater impact because it's woven out of personal experience. Blessings on you and through you.
Marlene Custer 
02/03/24
Thanks for sharing your powerful story.
Jack Taylor 
02/05/24
Always good to hear the outcome in stories like this, so close to the heart. May God continue to provide rich harvests for your family.
Donna Powers
02/07/24
A good testimony to encourage those with children who have walked a different path. God bless you!
Toni Babcock 
02/10/24
I LOVED READING THIS TESTIMONY! Praise the Lord! So heartfelt and honest - such a pleasure to share in your answer to prayer this way, thank you so much. I have felt the pain to of kids not following Christ the way I would desire for them, and your story reminds me of how important it is to trust God and keep praying!