Hope in the Rubble


Mind-boggling devastation filled the screen. I just couldn’t wrap my mind around everything that had taken place in the earthquake in Haiti. Such suffering and pain. I went to sleep with the images firmly planted in my mind and heart.

When I awoke in the morning, I began to pray before my feet hit the ground; prayer for miracles, supplies and those who would be arriving in that precious country to serve and minister to the broken. A picture of a crying baby being pulled out from under the rubble came to my mind. After over 48 hours of no food, no water and being trapped under a collapsed house, the 18 month old had been pulled out by a foreign translator coming to report on the tragedy. It was truly a miracle.

My prayers moved from the Haitian crisis to praying for a loved one who has gone astray. That is when the thoughts of these two situations collided in my mind. The one I love has much in common with the newly rescued child. He is, too, is trapped. Trapped by the weight and destruction of wrong choices, bad decisions and flawed thinking patterns. What seemed like a common path that many were taking led to a place of destruction. The thing that this precious baby and my loved one do not have in common is the desire to be free. The baby knew that something was wrong. Where was her family? Where were the food and water she needed? Why wasn’t someone coming to her rescue? These thoughts may have filled the tiny immature mind. My loved one has yet to discover that he needs rescuing. He has yet to recognize the weight that selfishness, unforgiveness and self-destruction is pressing on him.

Do you too have one you love desperately who is heading toward destruction and doesn’t realize it? Do you have days when the rubble that is all around seems too heavy, too much to be removed? You just can’t see how God is going to break through.

Today, help is arriving in Haiti. The US army, doctors, nurses; relief workers are coming to bring help. Rescue is taking place. People’s lives will be redeemed and in time the destruction will be removed. Years from now, all this tragedy will be a memory as reporters go back to show us the new Port-au-Prince.

Prayer is the place to begin as we have hope for our loved ones; that in the middle of their own destruction they will see the need for a rescue and that when the realization becomes clear, like the tiny baby in Haiti, our loved one will cry out for help. We know that our God will be there at that time to rescue. He may use others who will help them. He may call them to push away some of the debris. But more than anything, we know that He wants them free.

Dear Lord, Some days I grow weary of praying for my loved one. I am so glad that you don’t. Please open their eyes to see the destruction they are in and give them the desire to break free. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Is your loved one your child? I highly recommend a book by another one of our Proverbs 31 speakers called “Divine Prayers for Despairing Parents: What to Pray When You Don’t Know What to Say’ by Susanne Scheppmann. Maybe it is a husband? A friend? We all need support when our hearts are aching. Find another godly woman who will partner with you to pray daily for this person; preferably one who has had victory in her life with a loved one in this area.

Last week, I got a notebook. I wrote my loved one’s name on the front. I’ve begun to put into this journal prayers, verses, etc. specifically related to him and am writing these out using his name and using the word “you” i.e. “Today I prayed Ephesians 1:18 – 19 for you. It says “I pray also that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints, and his incomparably great power for us who believe. That power is like the working of his mighty strength” Ephesians 1: 18 – 18 (NIV) ….” I am also printing out prayers sent to me by others and putting them in the journal. I believe that one day I will give this journal to my loved one as a testimony to what God has done.

Maybe you are the one underneath the rubble? Maybe the rubble wasn’t your own choosing. Today, Wendy Blight of Proverbs 31 discusses the pain of sexual abuse on Family Life with Dennis Rainey. Click here to listen in as Wendy share’s her story. If you need help getting out from underneath a weight that is too heavy for you, do not be afraid to call out from underneath your rubble. Those around you already see it; they see you and more than anything they want you to be free and help you to get free!

Lynn

2 Comments

  1. Anonymous says:

    Lynn-
    Wow, this totally spoke to my heart! This beloved family member has been on my mind and in my heart for some time….most recently things changed (again) for her and I think she's making choices that aren't in her best interest….so incredibly frustrating to see someone you love soooo much make such destructive choices.

    I love, love, love your notebook idea! In fact, I'm going to start one for her, if you don't mind. 🙂

    I'm not asking God "why" these things are happening but "how can I help?" As difficult as it is, sometimes I have to pray and not take anymore action. I am trying to be obedient to His course of action and not taking things in my own hands….as much as I want to sometimes. (That pertains to your previous posts about "being". )

    Blessing through Jesus,

    Amy V.

  2. Hi Lynn, praying for you and your loved one. I have had several loved this past year go through some really hard – and heartbreaking – situations. Thank you for this blog.

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