Week 8: The Most Friends of All Scripture Reading: Daniel 1 (Miracles by Karen Kingsbury)

This week's devotion from Miracles by Karen Kingsbury tells us the story of a young man who struggled to make friends in high school and throughout his life.  His father taught him the power of prayer and how to never lose faith in God.  Because of his father, he lived a strong Christian life and his  faith remained strong even during the darkest times of his life.

This week's scripture reading is Daniel 1.  In Daniel 1, we learn of Daniel's journey into Nebuchadnezzar's court and how his unwavering faith in God remained strong and how he continued to follow God's law.

In both of these stories, we see one common theme...unwavering faith no matter the circumstances, no matter the time it takes, their faith is strong.

How about you?  How strong is your faith?

I think of the story that Karen Kingsbury tells in Week 8 and how long that man waited to see how many friends he truly has.  The funny thing is, God knew exactly when he needed these friends the most.  God knew when that prayer needed to be answered.  He may have thought he needed them in high school.  However, God knew better.

Then, I think of my life and my prayers that I bring to God daily.  God, please help my son.  Show me how I can help him be the best he can be.  Give me the patience to show him the love he needs to be the boy you need him to be.  God, please help my son.  In our times of storms, which happen to be more often lately, I have to remind myself how this is God's child and He will show me what to do and how to help.  I also have to remember one important thing, it's all in God's timing not mine.   It's hard to let go, especially when it's your child.  However, having that kind of faith in God will move even bigger mountains than you could ever imagine.

So, what do I do after 8 years of praying that same prayer every day since my son received his autism diagnosis?  I pray it again.  I wait.  I play with my son.  I help my son.  I remind myself that through all of these storms that we will encounter while we wait for Him to move these mountains, He will give me everything I need, my son needs and our family needs to get through it all.

Verses from Week 8:
Don't let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in life, in love, in faith and in purity.  - 1 Timothy 4:12

When he arrived and saw the evidence of the grace of God, he was glad and encouraged them all to remain true to the Lord with all their hearts.  - ACTS 11:23