Sleepless in San Francisco

by Christina Rose

 Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life?  Matthew 6:26-27 NIV

It was another sleepless night on San Francisco Bay. Hours of tossing and turning, thrashing and gnashing, plumping my pillow and being strangled with sheets left me exhausted. I may as well have been in the jungle being attacked by millions of ferocious mosquitos. There was only one thing to do – get up and pray.  It was still dark in the early morning when I put on my robe and went out to the deck. The full moon cast glittering gold on the bay and in the distance I noticed lights go on in a few other homes. “Maybe they’re in Heartbreak Hotel like me,” I thought, “praying nonstop for our prodigals to come home.”

Timothy warns us that in the last days, “People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy…” (2 Timothy 3:2 NIV). I knew of other heartbroken, anxious parents who were praying and waiting for their prodigals’ homecoming. Timothy’s message gives us some understanding of the challenging times we are in; they require a constant call to faith.

In the parable of the Lost Son, the younger son demanded his share of the estate and set off for a distant land.  He squandered his wealth in wild living until he had nothing left. He then repented and returned home to his father, who ran to him with open arms, and kissed him. The father called for a celebration that his lost son was finally home again.

I kept praying for the same miracle, that one day my lost daughter would come home, so that I could embrace her and be best friends like before. Just as the prodigal son learned how much he still needed his father, I prayed my daughter would need me too and come home.

For hours I prayed, until it came time to get ready for work.  After dressing, I began the trip to work. I looked out the window to see the most glorious sunrise I have ever seen. Striking shades of deep pink, orange, and gold filled the sky. Commuters were pulling over to capture pictures of the amazing skyscape. The pink and golden sunrise reflected on the pond below, where elegant white swans were peacefully gliding.  It looked like heaven on earth. White egrets were flying across the sky like angels heading to heaven. We all stood in shock and awe.

Then, very audibly, I heard a still small voice, “Your daughter and many of my children don’t yet know me and think they don’t need me. I’m about to prove them wrong. Watch what I do. Your daughter will come home.” A peace that surpasses all understanding flooded me. I knew God had heard my prayers and, in time, would answer them.

Sometimes, when we feel as though we are stuck in the dark, if we step outside and watch for wonders in nature, we can find peace. Watching a sunrise, birds freely soaring, and seeing swans serenely swimming can impart reassurance that God has his hand in everything. He never leaves us or forsakes us or our children. God’s got this.

 So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself.  Each day has enough trouble of its own.  Matthew 6:31-34 NIV

About the author: Christina Rose is an author, trainer, and speaker with the John Maxwell Team. She is a DAR whose patriot ancestors fought in the Revolutionary War. Christina’s book, My Appeal to Heaven, is her story. With her young family on the verge of falling apart, Christina appeals to heaven for hope and freedom just as her patriot ancestors did hundreds of years ago. She is a contributor to Arise to Peace Daily Devotional and a frequent blogger for Arise Daily Devos.

Join the conversation: Has God ever surprised you with what He is doing behind the scenes?