About a week ago the Lord impressed me to get a vision! A vision of Life for Andrew. In other words, Get a Life~Vision! A life vision for each of our children. A life vision for our family and our home.
Nearly a year ago, I was out walking with Andrew. He was skateboarding and was a little ahead of me. We had just rounded the top of our street. I could take you to the very place where a thought came to me regarding Andrew. It was, I believe, a heavenly thought.
I saw him skateboarding and loving life and the phrase "unusual ministry" came into my heart. Let me tell you that those two words have been something I have clung to like I would a canteen of water in a desert place.
Both my husband and I have "seen" Andrew as a young man, healthy, happy and whole. These spiritual pictures have "seen"us through tough times lately.
I have also had "snapshots" of the futures of my other two children as well. When my oldest son was still a baby in my arms, I got a "vision" for his future! Even though now I do not "see" it in the natural, I "see" it with spiritual eyes. As for my daughter, her gifts have always had lots of volume so they are easy to "see" and easy to hear.
I believe that God impressed me last week to get a vision for Andrew's future. I have held this vision up to God in prayer and I am not letting go of it.
God, Himself, said he knows the thoughts or vision he has for us and it is for hope and a future!
"For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope" Jeremiah 29:11 NKJV.
The vision I have for our family is for hope and healing. I want our home to be so saturated in prayer than no one enters or leaves our home without sensing the presence of the Holy Spirit.
I told my daughter Saturday that the two most important things to me are that our family knows God intimately and that we make Him known. Everything else I have ever been interested in pales in comparison. Everything else is but a shadow. A living, growing, breathing, "bride" relationship with Christ, the Son of the Living God, is my highest desire.
Yes, one day I will renew my interest in recipes and decorating for the seasons and in shopping my closet. Those things are fun and are a blessing to my family and to others. They are gifts to enjoy. I finally took the spring wreath off my door last week! I found my fall wreath and fluffed it up a bit. A neighbor brought a pumpkin by and it is on my porch. Maybe by Thanksgiving I will find my indians and pilgrims to display. I truly believe that is a part of "keeping" a home and my family enjoys a change in scenery now and again. And so do I!
However today my heart is in making our home a healthy environment and a holy place where the peace of God rules and reigns.
Thank you for your continued prayers for Andrew and our family. I love you.
Prayer requests: A good situation for physical therapy for Andrew, more movement and control on his left side (this would so encourage him), a job for my husband, uninterrupted joy in our home and, of course, 100% recovery for Andrew
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You are a woman of truth and grace, and an inspiration. Andrew looks absolutely adorable with his shortie haircut. He probably liked the skater boy haircut better, but I think the new look suits him. :-)
ReplyDeletePraying with you.
Thank you so much for the updated list of prayers requests.
ReplyDeleteJeremiah 29:11 is one of my favorite scriptures. I've clung to that verse during some very difficult times and have seen God bring me through them with that promise.
I do believe God's got something incredible for Andrew to do. He's a very special boy.
Hugs!
God bless you Melanie...for being a constant source of inspiration to us. I needed to hear these words so much today. I am going to begin praying for God to reveal visions for my family as well.
ReplyDeletePraying for you all and so very happy to see a smiling Andrew here today! God is so good!
Melanie, we are in agreement with you. In his precious name of Jesus I believe that all of our prayers will be answered. Sending hugs all the way from Texas.
ReplyDeleteHave a wonderful and blessed day.
Sandra
I enjoyed talking with you Melanie. You are beautiful inside and out. Andrew is so cute. I love the life vision. I believe. B
ReplyDeleteSo glad to read the update -- still thinking of you and yours often and lifting you all up every time.
ReplyDeleteGwyn Rosser
The Pink Tractor
www.gwynrosser.blogspot.com
He's beautiful. Still praying.
ReplyDeletexoxo...Kathy
Isn't it amazing how dim some things become in the face of adversity? A friend encouraged me with IPeter5:10 today so I pay it forward to you and your family. I pray that you would be settled this day.
ReplyDeleteElaine
www.elainerusso.blogspot.com
www.hospitaliteacottage.blogspot.com
Sorry that would be IIPete 5:10
ReplyDeleteWonderful faith filled post Melanie. Having a vision for our children is crucial. I too, had heard from the Lord for my daughter on the day she was born. She has had a rough life, with medical conditions, and hard times as a teenager, but those words the Lord spoke to me over a tiny premie baby got my husband and I, and then her, through. I will be praying for you all, thank you for the specific list.
ReplyDeleteBlessings to you,
Debra
Still praying...
ReplyDeleteYour faith and strength is amazing and inspiring! I know God is already using his vision of you to lift up your own family and so many others. Continued prayers Andrew and your family. Blessings
ReplyDeleteAndrew is such a handsome young boy! We are still praying for him and for your family. I so admire your strength and letting the Lord shine through. Hugs.
ReplyDeleteTrusting, believing, and praying.
ReplyDeleteHi Melanie, That is one of my favorite verses and it's promise and hope has seen me through many trials! I've had ya'll on my mind this weekend, and Andrew is continually in my prayers! (as well as you and your family!) The picture of Andrew is just precious! ~big hugs, Rhonda
ReplyDeleteWe are still praying!!!
ReplyDeleteAwww, Andrew looks so cute with his short haircut. Melanie, your family continues to be in my prayers. Your faith and grace are truly something to behold. I pray for a miracle for your sweet Andrew.
ReplyDeleteOh, I'm so happy to see that precious picture of Andrew, Melanie. I love that verse about a future and a hope. You hold on to your plans for him. Praying God will provide all of those needs you mentioned. Love and Hugs, Dear ~
ReplyDeleteMelanie,
ReplyDeleteAs I prayed for Andrew this morning, God impressed upon my heart the verse out of Ps 27:13. I prayed for Andrew to "see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living." I know that God has wonderful things for your son. He does have plans for Andrew, plans to prosper and not to harm, to give him hope and a future.
I'm praying for you and will pray these specifics in my prayer time as well.
Love and hugs to you sweet one,
Dawn
I'm so glad you got time to post an update. I continue to pray, and I too envision Andrew healthy and happy. I also envision your husband with a job. What burdens you are carrying. Continued prayers for all of you. laurie
ReplyDeleteMelanie, love seeing Andrew's picture on your blog..he's so precious and beautiful, and so very loved by his mom. I so understand your words on vision and decorating...making your home a holy place where God reigns...that is always first,no matter what we are going through. With all that you and Andrew are dealing with, The Lord is still your focus, and your vision begins with Him. I believe we need to have vision for our children, for our families, for our futures. Without vision, we perish. Thanks for sharing your heart and your wisdom. I am "seeing" Andrew whole, healed, and grown up into a godly man who serves His Lord. I have faith that you will see it in the natural, too.
ReplyDeleteGod bless,
Mary
How I love this post. I have asked God to give me visions of the the future he has for my children. i have "seen" it for two of my children. Waiting patiently and persistently in prayer for more. I can't begin to fathom how much he loves my children...it just baffles me yet I cling to it.
ReplyDeleteClinging to him inprayer for andrew, love you, lisa
How I love this post. I have asked God to give me visions of the the future he has for my children. i have "seen" it for two of my children. Waiting patiently and persistently in prayer for more. I can't begin to fathom how much he loves my children...it just baffles me yet I cling to it.
ReplyDeleteClinging to him inprayer for andrew, love you, lisa
I have had those heavenly visions. This is a reminder to "look for it" on their behalf...
ReplyDeletePraise the Lord that He is going to use Andrew in mighty ways to bring glory to Himself!
Your family is such a blessing to my heart sweet sis. I am praying with you, and for you. Total healing for warrior andrew, total 100%. I love you.
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ReplyDeleteI read through this latest post and my heart rejoiced over the many things I learn from you and your journey through pain. Somehow, like you said the things that seem important to us can take a back seat, when pain or heartache happen in our family. You worded it beautifully. Your son looks just like you, and it is a great picture of him. My prayers and care will continue for you, as they have so often during the last few weeks.
ReplyDeleteSister, you and your sweet family are in my constant prayers!!
ReplyDeleteI love the picture of Andrew.
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing that with us.
I remember when my daughter set the date for her wedding and I when I looked at the calendar there was the most beautiful picture and this Scripture verse with it: "My Presence will go with you." Exodus 33:14.
That was the most important thing to us all throughout the planning and the evening of the wedding...knowing He was present in every part of it.
I am praying that you all feel God's continued presence in your home and also all who enter will feel the Holy Spirit in your home as well.
I'm praying for the specific requests you mentioned.
Bless you!
Love,
Valerie
Believing for a life vision. Praying for your family and your sweet son. Thank you for your faith filled words, as always.
ReplyDeletePS Love Andrew's smile.
ReplyDeleteMelanie what a lovely prayer request for Andrew and your family, ofcourse you need not ask you are still on my prayer list and so that others may pray for you and your family.
ReplyDeleteI stand with you in prayers and thoughts, sending the angels your way to help lift and guide you through these trying times.
God bless,
Hugs,
Heidi
Melanie,
ReplyDeleteI am praying these prayers, I am holding up that vision--trusting Him.
Unusual ministry it is...your little man has ministered to me through this.
Blessings this fall (may you find your pilgrims) and big hugs.
Beautiful post!
ReplyDelete"Prayer requests: A good situation for physical therapy for Andrew, more movement and control on his left side (this would so encourage him), a job for my husband, uninterrupted joy in our home and, of course, 100% recovery for Andrew"
ReplyDeletePraying in agreement.
Lisa
What a wonderful Momma you are!
ReplyDeleteGod Bless you Melanie :)
Still praying for Andrew...
Love, Jerelene
What a beautiful post!
ReplyDeleteSincerely
We continue to pray for Andrew's manifested divine healing and we pray for all God's best for you and your family. Your words inspire and encourage others even as you face such challenges in your life. Thanks for all you do.
ReplyDeleteI love Habukkuk -- "Write the vision down"....
It is so good to see his smile. Praying for total healing of Andrew.
ReplyDeleteO Lord Almighty, blessed is the man who trusts in you. Ps.84:12
Melanie,
ReplyDeletePraying over your list daily, giving thanks for the answers!!
Thanks for that precious picture of Andrew, he looks GREAT.
And I've got a great vision of HIM totally HEALED!!!
"God is always revealing Himself to us through His Word and through the works of His hands. He's an intentional God, brimming over with purpose, infusing meaning into everything around us." - Joni Eareckson Tada
Kenneth Hagan has a "FAITH STUDY" book that changed my life. It's like what you are talking about -seeing God's vision, but he adds something to the discussion beyond seeing - he talks about speaking, using the promises of GOd "Faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen." You speak as though God has already answered your prayer - you speak in Faith.
ReplyDeleteWhat an inspring post about the hope and faith in the faithfulness of our Father and reminding people that if we listen, He speaks to us!!!!!!
You guys are in my prayers!
do believe God's got something incredible for Andrew to do. He's a very special boy. Work from home India
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