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Wednesday, July 9, 2008

Victory Today

These last few weeks have been pretty tough for me and my family with everything that has gone on with our daughter Alyssa. Emotions going in every direction while the faith robber "fear" tried to settle into our hearts. This past weekend I felt real tired, weak and just sick. So I camped out on the couch and watched the movie Flywheel. Over and over again. This is a movie made by the same brothers who wrote and directed Facing the Giants and is coming out with Fireproof in September. (Lysa TerKeurst had a great post of this new movie on Wednesday.)



If you've never seen Flywheel (or Facing the Giants), I highly recommend both of them. I couldn't believe how relevant this movie was to what I've endured with my daughter recently. Without giving away anything, I loved this conversation in the movie...

"What do you call it when you feel like your life's turning upside down but you still think God's in control?"
"It's like serene chaos."


Let me describe what my God approved serene chaos felt like just 2 short weeks ago:

It was as if I had front row tickets to a boxing match over my daughter's soul. I found myself sitting on the edge of my seat as the announcer described the fighters...



"In this corner weighing in under much deceit, lies and destruction wearing black shorts tonight...SATAN the Prince of Darkness!"



The crowd booed as Satan threw off the hood of his red cape and thrust his hands in the air with much conceit as if already announcing his victory.

The announcer then turned his attention to the corner where a man humbly stood covered in a white robe.

"In this corner undefeated, with too many knock outs to count, we have the King of all Kings, the Son of God, wearing gold shorts tonight...JESUS CHRIST the Prince of Peace!"



The crowd went crazy as they shouted praises to the One they loved.



Then the announcer showed what the winner would get. Surprisingly, it wasn't a World Championship belt to wear around their waste. It wasn't a trophy to put on their shelf.

It was my teenage daughter. The mom of my beautiful 3 month old granddaughter. I was suddenly filled with an intense panic as I saw my daughter's face on the big screen hanging from the ceiling.

The next words out of the announcers mouth took me to my knees: "Whoever wins this fight will get to use Alyssa's life for their purpose."

Then the bell rang...



Still on my knees I felt paralyzed as I watched as Jesus just stood in His corner. Satan was out and swinging, but he never went to where Jesus was and Jesus never went for him. I watched in horror as the enemy went directly after my daughter.




I stood up and went toward the ring but was quickly pulled back to my seat as I was reminded that the battle was God's not mine. I felt desperate for help and I turned around to see that the room was filled with my family and friends and also my friends I've met in the blogging community. Everyone was already face down interceding on behalf of my daughter for Jesus to step in and win this battle. Tears ran down my face as I saw so much love pour out for my girl from those who know her well to those who won't meet her until eternity.



I closed my eyes and began to whisper prayers to Jesus that I believed in Him and I begged Him to step out of His corner and rescue my girl. As I glanced back to the ring it took the wind out of me as I watched the enemy throw punches of lies and lust at her. His fist slammed into her face and left her intoxicated. He threw her to the ground and he stomped her with depression. She was hit with blows that left her unable to care for what she loved most...her baby girl.

I was watching helplessly as my daughter distanced herself from her family including her daughter and was so willing to give up everything for nothing.




My husband and I couldn't bare to watch anymore and so we released her completely to God and the moment we did is when the unexpected happened. The crowd stood up and began to sing praises because just when the enemy tried to finish the fight with a Knock Out of any self worth she had left, Jesus Christ stepped in and started to take the blows for her.



Suddenly my daughter began to talk with family. She showed up on my sister's door step. She wanted to see her baby. She cried. We praised. We cried. We prayed and we continued to let her go because we knew her Creator had His eye on her. She went to church Sunday. The hardness of her heart is slowly softening.


We praised and we shouted praises to our King as the announcer of the fight held up Jesus' scarred hands as the Victor of this battle!



As Satan laid on the mat knocked out by the Almighty One, the demons were desperately trying to woo their master of evil awake with smelling salts of sin. Finally awakened, the bloodied and broken enemy looked pathetic as he still tried to win her over even as he was being carried out of the ring.


With much hatred dripping from his brow, the enemy made it clear that he is not finished with my daughter. This he wants me to know.


But I also know that Who I choose to serve is so much bigger than the threats of the enemy. So I will keep my eyes locked on Him and I will pray. I believe in Him. I believe Him and I will take Him at His Word. I believe that what has happened to my daughter is only going to bring Him nothing but glory. It already has.


I believe that when she surrenders her life to Christ like she did at the innocent age of nine, that the party the angels throw in heaven is going to be an all nighter.




I believe that Jesus is not finished with my daughter. This I know because He tells me so.


Philippians 1:6 (The Message)


There has never been the slightest doubt in my mind that the God who started this great work in you would keep at it and bring it to a flourishing finish on the very day Christ Jesus appears.




My girl will have a flourishing finish. Wow!

Thank You Lord for what looked like a devastation at first to me, was a time of really trusting You and proof that You are in control. I feel blessed to have had the opportunity to have faith and a time that has only left me longing for more of You. Although this may not be the end of battles within this sweet child, I look at one day at a time and give you all the praise. Keep working in her Lord, she's so worth the fight.



Today I spent the whole day watching Alyssa love on Amiyah. I even had dinner with her.


It was a good day.


~Many Blessings~


43 comments:

Anonymous said...

I'm so very happy that you have had precious times with Alyssa and that she is moving more to The Light - Praise God! Did Amiyah's chubby little legs go crazy with excitement when she had her Mama close?!!!...

Anonymous said...

Lelia,
Oh the tears are falling again. You are so gifted at putting your beliefs, thoughts and experiences into words!

I am watching my 19 year old struggle with some of his choices. And I am too just backing away and letting God work. He (my son) came to me just the other day with trembling hands. He thought I knew that he had started smoking by some "remarks" that I had made. And he wanted to "confess" this to me I guess before I asked him straightforward. I told him that I did not know and those "remarks" are simply coming from God. He (God) hears my prayers daily and he knows that the 5 year old boy that gave his life to him is still in there. So...I am letting God work--and for this control freak it is TOUGH!! I told my son that I can not tell him what to do--the choices are all his to make and to live with. He knows that his grandfather has been unable to quit smoking for years. He knows that his body is a temple and it belongs to the Lord. He knows it all in his head and now he needs to be the man that God intended and believe it all in his heart!

Oh Lord, this parenting of teens is just SO EXHAUSTING!!

Hugs from PA to you and your family!
Kim

StitchinByTheLake said...

You are so right - God has great plans for each of us, including your sweet daughter. We have each stepped away from His path at times in our lives. Your daughter's detour is no worse than anyone else's, but Satan will battle with her and tell her that it is, that she is terrible and awful. She is what God made her, beautiful and good. I will continue to pray that she can hold on to God's opinion of her and not Satan's. And I will continue to pray for strength and grace for you and other family members as you try to help her see herself from God's eyes. Blessings, Marlene

Tami said...

Beautiful post, Lelia. I'm praising God with you for a good day.

Jill Beran said...

Lelia,
Wow, I love your words - you paint a wonderful picture. Really brought to mind our pastor's recent series on 1 Peter, how he calls us to be sober. Initially we all think of alocohol, but satan is the biggest bartender there is and he will serve up anything to intoxicate us and pull our focus from Christ. We will continue to pray that Alyssa's heart softens and her faith strengthens. Blessings, Jill

Anonymous said...

You have a beautiful daughter and grandchild.

I loved your post on Lysa's site. It made me laugh out loud. Laughter is good, isn't it!

Unknown said...

Whoo-hoo! Praise God!! I'm so excited that Alyssa is see God's love for her and responding to it!

Beautifully written depiction of your serene chaos!

Oh, and by the way...I just read your comment over on Lysa's blog. You didn't tell me you had a consideration!!!! I'm so very excited for you!!!!!!! Whoo-Hoo!

Prayers and Blessings, my sweet friend. I lifted you up in prayer this morning!

Rebecca

Sandra Garcia said...

What an awesome analogy. I just love the way you write, truly a gift from God. It warms my heart to see mother and daughter together. I will continue to pray for you and your family.

Blessings,
Sandra

Anonymous said...

Lelia,
Flywheel is one of my all time favorite movies. That line was pretty funny.

What an awesome post. God is using you so much and you are sharing some awesome insight.

I'm guessing you have probably seen this clip

http://www.godtube.com/view_video.php?viewkey=ee73e63418003b47d7d5

but if not it may do your heart good.

What an adorable picture of mom and daughter.

Luanne

Anonymous said...

"Praise the Lord, Praise the Lord! All the blog readers rejoiced!"... Yeah Girl, now that's some exciting news! Wooohoooo!

Doing the Happy Dance,
Heather T

Amy L Brooke said...

I'm so glad that Alyssa spent the day with you and Amiyah. I will continue to pray for her.

That is a great picture of them. Amiyah looks like she is growing!

Hope you are having a happy day today as well.

LynnSC said...

Yahoo!! Praise God for the time that you got to spend with your sweet daughter. God is really working... and you are so wise to stand back and allow it to happen.

Beautiful story to illustrate the fight that goes on in the heavenly realms that we don't even see. Powerful.

Thanks so much for updating us. I will continue to pray.
Lynn

Paula V said...

Oh, so much in my heart right now. First, I LOVE that picture of Alyssa and that very sweet and endearing smile shining onto that sweet babe Amiyah. You can see the love in her face.

I love how you are portrayed your trial in this "story" fashion.

I love how you described Jesus stood humbly in the corner dressed in a white robe.

You went on to describe how satan never went to where Jesus was and Jesus never went for him. Wow. What power. I love that. Satan does not swing at Jesus because of His power. Yet, Jesus does not fall to satan's level and start swinging punches.

There is just so much truth and power in this post. I love the transformation in you, Alyssa, and even in what role Jesus takes. Just as God calls us at different times to act and then sometimes to be silent and wait, Jesus does the same thing. Sometimes, He is quiet and stands and sometimes He gushes in and shields us. He does allow us to feel some of the punches. Yet just at THE perfect time in runs in to protect us from any fatal punches of the enemy.

Though I've spoken many words, I still feel at a loss for words. I'm just blessed beyond words to be a part of this journey with you and to "see" God's Hand at work in this process of Him drawing Alyssa closer and closer to Him.

It is steps of faith for you and your family. It is an exciting journey to know in the end God still reigns and His glory will shine ever so brightly.
Much love, sweet friend.
Paula

Paula V said...

Oh, yes, I too read your comment on Lysa's blog. I had no idea you had a book proposal and potential consideration. I knew you have great ability to right and know that you've copyrighted your poems. That's wonderful. As I was reading this, I wondered if this too will be part of your book. Without knowing the subject manner, I didn't know if your book was finished or just parts. This post so sounded like a wonderful chapter in a future book of yours.
Bye again! :-) smiles

amy & lisa said...

We too have watched Facing the Giants and Flywheel. Both are excellent!

Your writing is so interesting. I like looking at things through other illustrations.

Glad to hear things are going better. Will continue to pray.

God Bless.

Kim@Seasons of My Heart said...

God is SO good...all the time!!!!

Thanks so much for keeping us updated.

I'm still praying...and believing.

Kim~

Tracy said...

Wow...just wow! I LOVED your portrayal of the fight that ensued between Satan and the Lord over your sweet Alyssa...God is SO good. Thank you so much for allowing us to pray and be a part of this portion of your journey, particularly when it was ugly and difficult. What a witness of steadfast faith you are to all of us! Still praying...

Love & blessings,
Tracy

Runner Mom said...

Hey, girlfriend!
What a beautiful picture of your girls! I am so glad that y'all had a wonderful day. Your post...oh my goodness, Lelia! I think someone else said what a picture you painted with your words...I agree. My prayers continue to be with y'all.

I'm going over to Lysa's blog to see what's going on :).

Love ya,
Susan

2nd Cup of Coffee said...

Praising God with you.

Kelley said...

UH, WOW! This is AWESOME!! Lelia you are an incredibly gifted writer (as well as a beautiful model of a woman, lol). This needs to be published somewhere, it is so simple to understand and yet carries one of the most powerful messages I have ever read! Thank you my friend for your willingness to bare your soul and then give the glory straight back to the LORD. You have blessed my soul today...

Love,
Kelley

Oh, and that is a great picture of your two precious girls! I can't wait to meet them!

Sita said...

All that is left to say is..."And I stand, I stand in awe of You, I stand, I stand in awe of You..."
Plowing through to reach that harvest...so painful, but you change with each step much like Much Afraid in Hinds Feet on High Places...
beautiful pic of your daughter and grand..

Be blessed, Sita

Vern ~ Inspired said...

Hey Girl!

I am visiting your blog for the first time and wanted to first off tell you how wonderful it was to meet you and spend a little time with you and the gals at She Speaks!

Next I want you to know that I will pray for you and your daughter. This situation is a passion of mine to pray and intercede for.

Your description of the fight that goes on around us was so right on.
After I have come out of some of my darkest paths - the Holy Spirit showed me the footage of the fight for my life...now I cannot keep silent!

There is so much we could talk about with all this...maybe we will have time to catch up soon!

So glad that I had time today to check your blog out!

You are a blessing!

Be Inspired,

Vern

Pamela (His maidservant) said...

Lelia-I am so so happy things are turning in a right direction. Faith and prayer are mighty weapons. I so enjoyed reading this post!! It seems as if satan has moved to our family...struggling with some of the teen girls with issues of respect, untruth, attitudes...some that are rather significant to our family right now. Continue to lift us in your prayers. Thanks!

In His Graces~Pamela

HisPrincess said...

Lelia I find your blog such a comfort and a blessing as I navigate the waters of bringing up a teenage daughter. Thank you for reminding me to pray unceasingly, and to get out of the Lord's way so that He can work with her.

I pray that your family can be reconciled and that Alyssa will welcome the Lord back into her heart soon.

Tammy said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Tammy said...

God is so good!

I love how you described your time in darkness to this moment of victoy!

I am so happy for you.

Laura said...

What an amazing battle you describe! Unbeknownst to us, I believe it is like that every day in the Spirit world. We will never know how hard He fights for us.
I am still praying for your precious family, Lelia. He will prevail...

valerie said...

What an awesome praise report today!
That is a beautiful picture of Alyssa holding Amiyah. Alyssa has such a sweet smile.
I'm so glad we serve such a faithful God.
I'm keeping Alyssa in my prayers as well as the rest of your family.
Love,
Valerie

Rachelle said...

Wow! What a great post! Your analogy was super! Great picture at the end too.

elaine @ peace for the journey said...

A powerful picture you paint with your words! In many ways, I felt the struggle alongside you. I think that is the way that God intends for us to live in the body of Christ.

Lelia, I know you've been hurting. I'm sorry for your hurt. For every tear you have cried in your heart, I pray that God return his blessing to you in manifold measure. Only He is capable of such extravagance.

Thank you for allowing us all to walk the road with you.

peace~elaine

Isabel said...

Dear sisters,

Please visit my blog and help us pray for a 17-year-old girl who is currently battling for her life.

www.wendyblackwell.blogspot.com

I tearfully thank you all ahead of time.

Paula V said...

Lelia,
I watched the godtube video that Luanne posted. As it opened I knew I had seen it before and knew it was VERY powerful and very HUMBLING. So, I watched again. Of course, it tugged at my heart when the girl was fighting her way to Christ. I balled again when Jesus shielded her. I just kept thinking that is what He does for each of us. It is very humbling to know it is protecting us. I hope you've watched the video and if you haven't that I've not ruined it for you.

I thought of the struggle that your daughter must be enduring...the temptations of the world yet her spiritual fight to run back to the Savior.

I hope you are touched by it as well.

I pray all things are going well with you in the Lord.
Love,
Paula

Melanie said...

Lelia, I am so thrilled that you have gotten some precious time with your daughter this week and that the Lord is softening her heart.

We're still praying...

Lysa TerKeurst said...

Hi Sweet Friend,
I am just catching up on your blog and joining you once again in praying for your daughter.

Also, I am so touched that you are doing my other book as your Bible Study.

Please ask all the ladies to pray for the book that I am writing now. Specifically I want my words to be Inspired by God, Fresh, Life Changing and Memorable.

Thank you sweet friend.

Mia said...

Another blogfriend recommend your blog and I just Praise God that she did!!
My 19 year old daughter just found out she is 6wk pregnant. I have so many emotions going on right now. It was very comforting to read your previous posts. Thank you!
God Bless

Carol said...

This was so beautifully written it brought tears. I am still praying for you.

Susan said...

Lelia,

Once again I was captivated by your writing, what a wordsmith you are!

I saw it all, loud and clear, and I felt like I was on the front row, right beside you, and I could see 2 of my sons in that ring too!

Thanks for giving me so much HOPE and reminding us all, THE BATTLE IS THE LORD'S!!!

I'll continue to warfare on the sidelines with you. God is up to something really GREAT, I just KNOW IT!!!

Blessings to you my friend♥

Anonymous said...

Hi there,

My name is Monique & I'm part of the PR team for Sherwood Pictures--creators of FACING THE GIANTS.
Thank you so much for supporting the movie on your blog! We wanted to keep you informed of their latest project--FIREPROOF.
It's due to hit theaters this September in theaters nationwide. You can go to www.fireproofthemovie.com to view the trailer, read the synopsis, and sign up for updates to stay up to date with all of the FIREPROOF happenings! If you're interested in learning more or need any resource, pictures, and downloads for your blog please email me at monique@lovell-fairchild.com and I will be happy to get you what you need.

Again, thanks for blogging!
Monique
Lovell-Fairchild Communications

Liz said...

AMEN! Continued prayers for you and your beautiful family.
Love, Liz

Bonita said...

Rejoicing with you over the victories as they come! What a precious mother/daughter picture!

Amy Wyatt said...

What an amazing post. Your strength amazes me. i have had similar thoughts myself... that Satan is going after my child and he doesn't fight fair. Your writing describes it so well. I'm still praying for your family.

MaryLu said...

Lelia,
I had no idea you were going through this trial. I've been out of the blogging loop for a while. I'm sorry.
I'm praying now for you, your daughter and your grandgirl.
So glad she is coming home and wants to be a part of the family again.

Edie said...

What an incredible gift of expression you have. I have been through much the same and I know the pain all too well. I'm so glad for the way God is working in your daughter's life and what a beautiful picture. Blessings on all of you.