This week I want to share with you a letter sent from a
Bounce! Don’t Break Buddy in Louisiana.
“If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.” James 1:5
While living In the Virgin Islands, I learned a new language – a mixture of nationalities, races, and heritages with a splash of taxi-driver on top. A typical local response to my mainland “See you” had me stumped until a friend and insider explained: “The response, ‘Godswilling,’ ” (or at least that’s what it sounded like to me) “is the island version of ‘if God is willing’ “. I would say, “See you tomorrow,” or “It looks like rain,” and receive “Godswilling” in response.
The phrase became a daily and oft-time reminder of the words found in 1 Thessalonians 5:16-19, “Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you…” and carried with it a hopeful undertone of “I sure hope God is willing” and the top note of faith, “Be calm – I know God is willing.”
I’m living in Louisiana now and this past week arrived home after a hard work week and evening of Friday shopping to the urgent request of my husband to call our daughter right away. This was the third or fourth weekend night of such “urgent” requests. Previous sob-filled calls had resulted in my daughter and two year old granddaughter coming to sleep at my house. This time however, my return calls went straight to voice mail. I put the groceries away, made and ate dinner and still my calls went unanswered.
Now my imagination kicked into overdrive. Did my husband not understand her when she called? Was her phone not working? Had she changed her mind, embarrassed to have summoned me? Had she tried to drive to my house and put her truck in a ditch – or worse? Should I begin looking for her? Should I go uninvited to her house?
Unsure of what to do and seeking God’s wisdom in this situation I went outside, sat on the porch and prayed. As I sat there looking out over the pond I decided that if she had been able to call earlier, she would be able to call again if she needed me. “Godswilling” I thought for the first time in a long time. She would be OK without me to run to and as she faced her problems would begin taking action to solve them herself.
I texted her the next morning: “All OK? Call me if you need me.”
She texted back: “All okay. Just another one of our weekend fights. Crazy though cuz as we were talking it out, two young men showed up to talk to us about God. It was exactly what we needed. Funny how when you need Him the most God is there for you. Totally renewed my faith. Thanks and love you Mom.”
It seems the Lord used for good the interruption of these two young men as I prayed on my porch. They may not have been sound in their doctrine and theology but their visit made my daughter stop fighting and reminded her of who she is in Christ.
I continue to claim the truth and promise of Proverbs 22:6 – “Train up a child in the way he should go, And when he is old he will not depart from it,” will keep on praying and, “Godswilling,” live to see my prayers answered in the life of my precious daughter.
From a Louisiana Bounce! Don’t Break Buddy
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If you are experiencing a challenging situation with an adult child, grandchild or other family member, I pray you too will seek in prayer the Lord’s wisdom and as we say here in South Carolina, “Lord willing and creek don’t rise” (“Creek” pronounced “crick” of course) you will soon see an answer to the promise of James 1:5.
Blessings, Penny
