JER. 29:11 For I know the plans that I have for you,' declares the LORD, `plans for welfare and not for calamity to give you a future and a hope.
Normally, my posts on this blog are devotional. However, I hope you don't mind if today I share my heart with you. I am a Mother of four wonderful, beautiful children. Three of those have grown into God- fearing, awesome men of God. I am so proud of each one of them. For choosing first of all, to put God first in their lives and for choosing to pursue the great opportunities that God has laid before them. My heart is overwhelmed with pride and joy everytime I think of my precious children. (even though 3 of them ARE grown ...they will always be my children!)
My heart today is focusing on son #2! Jeremy (pictured above) is a gift from God. LITERALLY!
After the birth of our first son David, I began to have reproductive complications. A serious of tests were conducted over a period of time. It was finally concluded that I would not be able to concieve any more children. My heart was crushed. To put me in a healthier "hormonal" state, the physicians decided to start me on a series of fertility shots. This particular day that I was scheduled to start these shots, I prayed to God that TODAY would be the day that He would reveal to me one way or another the future of my womb.
After all the preliminary tests were run on this particular day, which also included a pregnancy test, the doctor came in to speak to me. He began to explain the procedure of the series of shots and what he had hoped for as results. He reported the results of the pregnancy test - which was negative, not anything new, as this was the 5th pregnancy test he had performed in recent weeks.
At the last minute, my doctor said to me "prior to starting the shots, I think I need to perform an examination". After a few moments, the doctor scooted his chair back and had a blank, disbelief look on his face. I saw it clear as day and I began to sense something was not right.
What seemed like an eternity, the silence was finally broken as the doctor spoke to me. He said, "you would like to have another baby right?" YES, how can a doctor toy with a woman who has just gone thru finding out she can no longer have babies!! To this the doctor announces, "good, because as far as I can tell you are about 16 weeks pregnant!"
WOW! When God answers - He answers! Not only did He reveal the future of my womb to me that day but He revealed what seemed to be an impossibility! Even the doctor said to me, "I don't understand how this is possible."
I know how it was possible...
“What is impossible with men is possible with God”
~ LUKE 18:27
I always knew from that day on, that God had incredible things planned for my miracle baby, Jeremy.
God reminded me today of His awesome power and that Jeremiah 29:11 is true and something that I can count on! Jeremy is grown now, 22 years old and serving in the Air Force for the past year and half. This is a Mother that has so much pride and respect for my Son choosing to serve our Country and to sacrifice for the safety of our fellow Americans. But in all honesty, this is a Mother that has a broken heart as I realize the danger that my Son may find himself in, possibly costing him his life.
I can honestly say that I am a changed person because of his decision to serve our Country.
1. At local ballgames when the national anthem is sung...I am emotional and I usually cry. The flag has a new meaning to me.
2. Every time I see my Son, my heart is ripped in half as I realize this could possibly be the last time I see him.
3. My heartfelt prayers have changed as I pray in more urgency for those families that have loved ones serving in Iraq. Many times wives, husbands and children are left behind. And my heart hurts for those other MOTHERS like me that have a son or daughter over here s
acrificing so much for each of us.
acrificing so much for each of us.Yesterday, I got the phone call! For the past year and half I always knew in my heart that this phone call would come, I just didn't know when. My son Jeremy got orders to serve for the next year in Korea. I had someone say to me, "well at least it is not Iraq". True...but for this Momma's heart it may as well be.
After a day of soul searching, crying, praying and crying alot more....I know that God is in control and no matter where Jeremy goes, if it is too far for me to see him or touch him or talk to him, the promise that I can cling to is that my Heavenly Father is with him and watching over him. God has a plan for his life...plans for his welfare and NOT CALAMITY because God has a future and a hope for my son!
I still have days of crying ahead of me, and a heart that will hurt because I miss him so...but just like that day in the doctors office 22 years ago...
WHAT IS IMPOSSIBLE WITH MAN IS POSSIBLE WITH GOD!
Please add Jeremy to your prayer list. He is scheduled to leave for Korea in August. And pray for strength and peace for this momma's heart. And if you have a son or daughter serving our Country, I would love to hear from you so we can encourage each other.
(There is no love like the love of a Son!)love and prayers,
Laurie
11 comments:
Laurie:
What an awesome outpouring from your heart! My heart literally aches right along with yours. You and your family are so very special to me and I will most definitely keep your family, especially you -THE "mama", lifted up in prayer!
Love you sister Laurie,
Wanda
Laurie,
My whole family will be lifting Jeremy up in prayer. Eventhough Cliff was not my son, I expierenced first hand the pain of separation. I am praying for peace and comfort to the family he leaves behind here in the States.(Especially his Mama) God Bless and keep all the men and women who serve our country so that we have the freedom to worship our wonderful living God.
Love you guys,
Mindy
Thanks for sharing from your mommy's heart...I have the utmost respect for our boys who are in the military...what a blessed mom you are!!! Your kids are beautiful...He will most definitely be in my prayers...
Hey Laurie,
I just wanted to let you know that I am here with you lifting Jeremy up in prayer. You and the whole family have been in my prayers everyday. Like you, I've been crying and praying too...and yesterday I was studying Pastor Rusty's sermon called "In Need of a Genesis from my Chaos" and it really helped. There are some very encouraging verses in that sermon. Reading Psalm 46, Hebrews 10:23, and Romans 8:28 brought encouragement to my spirit. I will keep agreeing with you in prayer for peace & protection for Jeremy. You are so right, God is in complete control. There is nothing too big for Him to handle.
I love you very much,
Rachel
GREAT MESSAGE, it made me tear up! Yes,I remember the events - I remember the numerous pregnancy tests and I recall mentioning to you that you were putting on weight - only to find out you were well along in pregnancy. Kind of funny now! I love you. Clayton
Laurie!
Thanks for sharing your heart. Jeremy is in the plans of the Lord. God has great things in store for him and Rachel.
and of course, I am sitting here crying....
It seems our babies should stay under our wings forever, but they must mature and fly on their own. God will be his refuge!
Love ya girl!
dorinda
Mrs. Laurie,
I can't say that I have experienced this from a mother's point of view but while Clifford was depolyed I was completely lost. The prayers of family and friends are what kept me going everyday. I will certainly keep Jeremy and your family in my prayers. If there is anything else that I can do to help please let me know.
Natalie Evans
I came to your blog by way of your CWO interview. Which was great by the way.
I wanted to share something from a book I am reading. It is That's My Son by Rick Johnson:How moms can influence boys to become men of character.
I have a 7 year old boy who I find hard to communicate with alot, so I bought this book. I am loving it.
Anyway,at the end of the first chapter there are discussion questions. The first question is this- Are you prepared to be a spartan mom? Would you be willing to sacrifice your son to a cause greater than himself.
Hard question to answer. I am learning that God created boys with a unique sense of adventure. They were born with that feeling of wanting to be a hero in their hearts. They want to be a part of something greater than themselves.
Your son is playing out his God given role. Rest assure that his heart is where it wants to be because God created him for such greatness.
My prayers are with you and your son and all servicemen and women everywhere.
It seems to me that you have chosen to be that spartan mom who is willing to sacrifice her son to a cause greater than himself. Amen, sister, Amen!
THANK YOU! everyone for your comments, your encouragement and your prayers! Each comment brought tears to my eyes. It means so much to me to know that we are in your prayers and how encouraging to feel your love and to know that I am not alone.
NATALIE: to know that you have walked where I am trodding...even though not as a Mother - I believe that people like you who have gone thru this fire and SURVIVED can be an inspiration to people like me who is just beginning the journey.
The first reaction many people have is to say to me, "at least he isn't going to Iraq". I am ever so grateful for that, the place is not really of importance. Not as much as the fact that our loved one is going to a foreign land and we will be separated for a very long time. The pain, fear and loss of a loved one going to Iraq is no MORE than one that is going to Korea or some other foriegn soil.
I love all of you and to my husband who has been there all the way, encouraging me and loving me and telling me it is going to be alright...you are the best!
And to my miracle baby, Jeremy: you will have many miles between us but our hearts are linked forever and no distance can take you from that place. BE SAFE!
LOVE LAURIE
Thanks for commenting on my blog so I could find this and read it. I've been searching for other military moms. I didn't see it the first time; I only saw that you had a son in the Air Force. I can really identify with you, though my son is only in training at this stage. I will be in prayer for your son. I can tell you are close, just as we are. He's a precious gift to us, as is our other children, and I miss him terribly!! He started out in Pararescue, which was a bit scary for me, but is now in Avionics due to stress fractures. After watching The Guardian (for the hundredth time last night) I realized it was a blessing. I feel blessed to have come across your blog today and will be in prayer for you and your son. It's a hard stage in our lives, huh?!
Take care,
Laura
I'm praying for your precious son.
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