Their family seems so perfect, always smiling, laughing.  I never hear of complaining from that family either.  Yet I walk around with my head down and doubts swirling. I’m out of place. I keep asking myself, I know my family is not normal, but when will we be happy?  Is happiness possible?  All these questions in my head!  I’m going MAD!

A friend enlightened me to a few things.  It didn’t matter how many times my friends had told me not to let satan have control, or how many times I had quoted John 10:10 to myself (“The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly.”), it finally struck home when he said, “… you aren’t the only parent who feels feelings and thoughts like you are experiencing – don’t buy into the lie of isolation.”

Satan has convinced me that I am alone, fighting alone, and struggling raising my child alone.  This is simply not true.  I can still feel alone in a crowd, but I know God can fill a space that no one on earth will ever fill.  That’s the lie that satan tells teenagers.  He does steal and destroy, not only teenagers, but adults also.

How can we be examples to our teenagers? Of course, our first resource is to pray and pray intentionally. (Just go see the movie War Room.) But secondly, we must choose joy.  I posted a scripture from Psalms today that convicted me.

“If you’ll hold on to me for dear life,” says God,

“I’ll get you out of any trouble.

I’ll give you the best of care if you’ll only get to know and trust me.

Call me and I’ll answer, be at your side in bad times;

 I’ll rescue you, then throw you a party.

I’ll give you a long life, give you a long drink of salvation!”

So, how much am I trusting God to get me out of trouble?  Will He rescue me and my family as we suffer?  I want a party! I want the BEST of care.  Who can give that to me? MY GOD CAN! Who can send satan running? I CAN! Not only from me, but from my teenager who I believe battles more of life than I do at times. You have this same power and control over satan, loneliness, and fear.

God, I’m holding on for dear life.  My family is STILL holding on for dear life.  There are days we feel the walls closing in around us and there is no way out.  I know others must feel this way, but why do I feel alone?  Help others be as transparent as I am being.  Help others know how to pray for and with me.  Remind them that I still miss my baby boy who is in your care.  We are all your children.  I don’t like masks, Lord.  Why do people wear them? Bind satan and his masks from me and my family.  Rescue us from fear and pain.  Lord, watch over my little sparrow and keep him safe.  He’s my only baby left.  Don’t let him feel alone. Amen.

Satan, you have no hold on this family.  No hold.  I refuse to feel alone.

“Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. And let endurance have its perfect result, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing. But if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all generously and without reproach, and it will be given to him.” James 1:2-5

Why should I feel discouraged, why should the shadows come,
Why should my heart be lonely, and long for heav’n and home,
When Jesus is my portion? My constant Friend is He:
His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me;
His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me.

I sing because I’m happy, I sing because I’m free,
For His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me.

“Let not your heart be troubled,” His tender word I hear,
And resting on His goodness, I lose my doubts and fears;
Though by the path He leadeth, but one step I may see;
His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me;
His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me.

Whenever I am tempted, whenever clouds arise,
When songs give place to sighing, when hope within me dies,
I draw the closer to Him, from care He sets me free;
His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me;
His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me.