Is God Listening?
Stories
Shining Moments
Visions Of The Holy In Ordinary Lives
Barbara Frank
My sixteen-year-old son had a very difficult time in the years following his father's death. Counseling, from many sources, was of little help. School didn't seem important to him. His friends were few, and the ones he had were not the ones I would have chosen as good influences.
One evening, as I waited for him to come home from his part-time job, I saw him go behind the garage with a friend. After a few minutes, I followed. I found them smoking what I thought, from the smell of it, was marijuana. After breaking up their "party," I called my older son. He searched his brother's room and found more marijuana and drug paraphernalia.
I was in denial. Not my son! He comes from a good Christian family. I would have known if such things were going on in my house. He is just having a difficult time. This is the kind of thing that only happens to other people.
What a wake-up call!
After a day of soul searching, prayers, and tears, I reached a decision. I had my son arrested.
Going to bed that night, I had second thoughts. What had I done? I prayed to God to please help me. In the darkness, a dim, distorted figure appeared; a presence. I had the feeling of arms surrounding me. Although I was responsible for this decision, I was not alone. God was listening!
My son had a few rough years, but today he has become a wonderful, responsible, and loving person, of whom I am very proud, and for whom I thank God every day.
My sixteen-year-old son had a very difficult time in the years following his father's death. Counseling, from many sources, was of little help. School didn't seem important to him. His friends were few, and the ones he had were not the ones I would have chosen as good influences.
One evening, as I waited for him to come home from his part-time job, I saw him go behind the garage with a friend. After a few minutes, I followed. I found them smoking what I thought, from the smell of it, was marijuana. After breaking up their "party," I called my older son. He searched his brother's room and found more marijuana and drug paraphernalia.
I was in denial. Not my son! He comes from a good Christian family. I would have known if such things were going on in my house. He is just having a difficult time. This is the kind of thing that only happens to other people.
What a wake-up call!
After a day of soul searching, prayers, and tears, I reached a decision. I had my son arrested.
Going to bed that night, I had second thoughts. What had I done? I prayed to God to please help me. In the darkness, a dim, distorted figure appeared; a presence. I had the feeling of arms surrounding me. Although I was responsible for this decision, I was not alone. God was listening!
My son had a few rough years, but today he has become a wonderful, responsible, and loving person, of whom I am very proud, and for whom I thank God every day.
