Room M-24

She stepped on the scale again.  It was lower than the day before. Down to 110 pounds, she slowly got off the scale and went to look for food to eat.  She knew that it was not good to go without food.  With the refrigerator wide open, she stood there pondering what she should eat.  After pondering the idea, she closed the door. She just couldn’t do it.  She wanted to but didn’t have the desire.

Back to bed she went. Shutting out the world around her was all she could handle.  All she could do was cry.  She had hoped it was all a bad nightmare in which she could wake up and everything would be okay.  Hours later from her sleep, the same crisis remained.  Nothing had changed. 

During the waking moments, her mind was filled with guilt, lost hope, discouragement, and pain.  She felt like a failure.  Her compassion got in the way. Denial set in.  Trying to save the lost cost her dearly.  It nearly cost her teen’s life.  The coming days will tell the outcome.  Good or bad.  At this point, it was beyond her control or help.  Only God could intervene and bring a miracle.

Trusting God was always important to her, even in tough situations.  But this time, it was more than tough.  It was  life-altering with severe consequences.  It was the worst situation she had ever endured.  Could she still put her faith in God despite how serious things looked?  She had never cried so hard or prayed so hard.

It was a push to get through each day, each minute.  Trying to do her job duties flustered her.  She was drained emotionally, physically, mentally and spiritually.  Learning a new job was one thing, but to add this crisis on top of it was becoming too much.  She was thankful that in her new employment she met other Christians.  She slowly shared a little of what was transpiring in her life.  She was thankful for their response – one of love, encouragement, and prayer.

As time went on, there was less crying but more worrying.  She never took her eyes off of the phone in hopes of answering when her teen called.  Although the phone conversation could only be five minutes, those precious moments were all that she had.  During the day she was filled with things to do such as her job and caring for the pets and running to the store.  But when night approached, it was quiet where all she heard were the thoughts running through her mind.   She only wanted to sleep the night away.

She looked around her home and only saw a mess.  Dishes were left in the sink and dirty clothes on the floor.   Her kitchen table was covered with an explosion of paperwork.  She couldn’t even look at the bills.  There were still clean clothes that needed to be put away as well as the clean dishes in the dishwasher.  She had no energy to be the maid and tidy up her home.

As she walked into the bathroom, she was drawn to the note taped onto the mirror.  “If you don’t stand firm in your faith, you will not stand at all,” Isaiah 7:9.

This was the biggest test of faith in her life.  “Please Dear Lord, don’t let me fail this test,” she said.  She may have felt like a failure as a parent, but she promised herself that she could not fail this test.

It was hard to change the way her mind was thinking.  Her flesh worried so, yet her spirit was saying to not doubt.  Back and forth her thoughts flipped-flopped.  How can you have faith when all you see is the negative before you?

Soon she was in the Hall of Justice facing the door of Room M-24.  The day had come.  She had to keep her mind from thinking the worst.  She listened in on other parent’s stories.  She became a people watcher as the names were called and the doors being pushed in and out.  Her nerves were shot and all she could do was pray and ask God for favor over her child.

“I pray that you be clothed with strength.”

“And we know He works all things together for good to those who are the called according to His purpose.” He has a plan for for your child.

“Praying for grace and strength as you wait.  May He be doing a powerful work in your child during this time too.”

“Praying for favor.”

She sat there reading over and over the many text messages that came in from her dear friends. The words poured over her, helping her get through each minute she waited till her name was called.

And then it happened.

“Mrs. Farrow, please come with me,” said the officer.

She rose up, took a deep breath, and stepped through the courtroom door of M-24.

~~~

Today, many parents, many good parents, have had to step through the Halls of Justice to deal with their teen’s consequences while they were in crisis.  Parents feel overwhelmed, scared, and unsure about the future for their child.

Although as parents we may be frantic as to what happens with our child, the important thing to remember is that whatever the punishment may be, it could very well be their rescue.  The last place we want to see our teen is in a rehab, a detention center or jail.  But honestly, that is where God can get their attention.  God loves them more than you.  He created them and made them intricate and for a purpose.

He is just waiting for that turning point in which the teen cries out to Him for help with a repentant heart and a changed attitude.

So ask yourself this question.  Would I rather have a teen in crisis doing their own thing and not willing to seek the help they need or in a rehab, detention center or jail in which they cannot focus on anything BUT God and healing?

Yes, the punishment may feel cruel and unfair.  But consequences teach our teens lessons and gives them a wake–up call to get back on the straight path with help and support.   God is ever pursuing our children.  He will never give up.  That’s how much He loves them.  Give them over to the Lord and allow Him to do what He needs to do in their life.  All He asks of us as parents is to pray and give them to Him.

    “Do not be afraid—I will save you.
    I have called you by name—you are mine.
 When you pass through deep waters, I will be with you;
    your troubles will not overwhelm you.
When you pass through fire, you will not be burned;
    the hard trials that come will not hurt you.
For I am the Lord your God,
    the holy God of Israel, who saves you.

Isaiah 43:1-3

Then they cried out to the LORD in their trouble; He saved them out of their distresses.

Psalm 107:19