Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but not with God; all things are possible with God.”

Mark 10:27

When was the most difficult time of your life? How did you deal with it? Was God evident during those painful moments?

Mine was almost 2 months ago. Nothing could have prepared our family for such a situation. As a mother, it was the most painful memory. Parenthood is not for the fainthearted. As parents, our child’s suffering is multiplied ten times, or maybe more.

BROKEN VALUES

October 5, 2022, Wednesday was the day my eldest son made a crucial mistake that turned his life around.  It was a stupid decision that entirely rocked our faith as a family.

The weeks that followed were the longest weeks of our life. It was a series of stress, anxiety, frustrations, heartaches, confusions, anger, questions, doubts, prayers, despair, and more prayers.  

At first, I didn’t know whom to turn to.  I just kept praying to God. I asked Him to send us people who will be capable to help us in our ordeal.  I turned to my husband for strength.  I turned to my family and friends for all the support that they can give.  

We needed all the support that we can get, be it financial, prayers, and miracles.  I asked for prayer warriors from relatives and colleagues.  

GUILT AND DOUBTS

That event made me question God’s protection.  

• How can God let my son be led astray? I pray the PRAYER FOR PROTECTION for him every time he leaves home.

Zaldy and I are not perfect. As homeschooling parents, we did try very hard to instill values to our kids.  But what happened that time made me question myself as a mother.

• What mistake did I make in parenting? Why did my son lack the conviction to hold dear the values that we taught him?
• Was there something wrong with me?
• Was it a punishment from God because I wasn’t an obedient daughter to start with during my younger years?
• What is the purpose of this situation, Lord? What is the Wisdom with this mess?

Guilt and doubt flood my mind for several weeks.  I can’t eat, I can’t sleep, and my anxiety attacks intensified.  I asked God – how are we going to get out of this situation, Lord?  It was too much to handle…

…or so I thought.

AVALANCHE OF SUPPORT,  BLESSINGS, AND MIRACLES!

Looking back at it, God sent us His provision from Day 1.  I was just too distraught to see it at that time.  

I can’t imagine how I survived our ordeal.  The physical and the mental struggle to make a decision in the midst of emotional pain was daunting.  Without the physical and emotional support of my family and friends, I would have given up.

God manifested His love through our family and friend’s kindness and acts of service. Their willingness to be with us emotionally and physically. The influx of prayer petitions they sent our way. The Holy Masses they offered for us. Those times that they went out of their way to drive for us. They literally fed us by buying us food when we couldn’t think of eating any longer. The financial help given without us asking. The kindness of a complete stranger who treated us like a family and helped us all the way. Even to the point of being uncomfortable and exhausted themselves.

The irrational generosity and kindness of the people around us is God telling us, “I am with you in your suffering. Just TRUST me more!”

One day at a time, God continues to reveal his WISDOM on what happened. Slowly, I began to understand why it should happen. Why do we have to go through all those painful processes? Why US? Why did He let things happen?

Some nights I still cry myself to sleep. It’s still painful to remember and we are not out of the woods yet. My anxiety still creeps in from time to time but we are holding onto God’s promise. God revealed his MERCY and COMPASSION through other people and has been FAITHFUL to His promises. I am now claiming more of God’s miracle for our family because…

WHATEVER DIFFICULTY WE HAVE RIGHT NOW, GOD IS PREPARING US FOR HIS GLORY!

JESUS, WE TRUST IN YOU!

Repost from jennocampo.com, December 12, 2022.