See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs

up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in

the desert and streams in the wasteland.

Isaiah 43:19

When we look at the Bible, we see that God was always making a way. Time after time, he made a way for the Israelites. He made a way for them to leave Egypt, to cross the Red Sea, to be fed and have water, and eventually make it to the promised land. After their exile, God made a way for them to return to their land. In the New Testament, God uses John the Baptist to make a way for Jesus, and we know that Jesus made a way for all who believed to have eternal life. We find that He does not promise us a pain-free life, but He does promise He will make a way through the pain. He asks us to trust Him and call out to Him. He also does not promise us it will happen as quickly as we would want it to. There may be many twists and turns along the way, but God knows what He is doing and it is for His ultimate glory. We must not focus on any single event or moment, but trust that since God sees the end, He knows more than we do.

He will call upon me, and I will answer him; I will be with him

in trouble, I will deliver him and honor him.

Psalm 91:15

Of my four children, my daughter was the one who would often come and ask her dad or I for something. As a result, she got more. Brie would say, “Mom, can I have a pool party with my friends?” or “Dad, would you go with me to get my oil changed?” or “Can someone drive me to my friend’s house?” We would say “Yes” when we were able. If they didn’t ask, we wouldn’t know. The boys thought she was our favorite since she was the only girl and she seemed to get more. But in reality, she just asked for more. God may already know what we want because He knows everything, but still He wants us to ask…He wants us to be invested. And when we pray, He will show up. It may not be in our timing, but we can trust Him completely.

That’s what this group is about. God wants us to be invested in our relationship with Him. He wants us to perceive what He is doing. He is making a way, but sometimes it takes time. God’s timing is always perfect and He wants us to trust Him and rest in this knowledge. This group gives us an opportunity to share, receive encouragement, and pray for others. And we are blessed to have many people praying for our own prodigal(s). Face it, hard times keep us on our knees and that is the best place we can be.

I read that John Wesley had a terrible wife. She tormented him beyond measure. But he said that he attributed most of his success to his wife—that she kept him on his knees and because he was kept on his knees, he had the victory.

Yesterday, two Mormon missionaries who I have been dialoguing with through facebook, came over to do some yardwork. I was really nervous. I see them most Saturdays at the soup kitchen and we have a great relationship, but we don’t talk about our differences in faith because we are there to serve others. So this would be the first time outside of facebook, that we could talk about our faith. I kept going to God every few minutes before they arrived asking for strength because I felt so nervous. I kept telling Him I trusted Him and that He had opened the doors for them to come. I just wanted to honor God with this time. This is what God wants us to do with our prodigals. Keep going to Him when we feel nervous or discouraged. Keep a dialogue going. Keep asking for what we need, what we want. Remind Him of what He had already said in His Word, and how He has opened doors or led us in a particular direction. Trust that He will make a way for us and for our prodigals. He will fulfill His purposes for us during this time and for our prodigals, who belong to Him. And like me yesterday, you may have to do it often until the peace comes; until you have the confidence that He is making a way even though you don’t see it at the moment. And please use this group to share your heart. There will always be those who can identify with what you are saying and those who have words of encouragement and those who will immediately go to their knees.

The Lord will fulfill his purpose for ______;

Your love O Lord, endures forever—do not

abandon the works of your hands.

Psalm 138:8

You brought me to the desert so You could be my water You brought me to the fire so You could be my shield You brought me to the darkness so You could be my morning light If You brought me this far, if You brought me this far Wherever you lead me, I know you won’t leave me Wherever you call me, You will make a way Wherever we’re going, I will be holding To the promise you have made You will make a way You will make a way And when I’m in the valley, You will be my comfort And when I’m at the end of me, I find You there When I’m in the battle, You will be my present peace Cause You brought me this far, You brought me this far If You brought me this far Wherever you lead me, I know you won’t leave me Wherever you call me, You will make a way Wherever we’re going, I will be holding To the promise you have made You will make a way My God will make a way Cause You brought me this far You brought me this far You brought me this far You will make a way You brought me this far You brought me this far You brought me this far My God will make a way Wherever you lead me, I know you won’t leave me Wherever you call me, You will make a way Wherever we’re going, I will be holding To the promise you have made Wherever you lead me, I know you won’t leave me Wherever you call me, You will make a way Wherever we’re going, I will be holding To the promise you have made You will make a way You will make a way