THE PRODIGAL SON RETURNS

On February 22nd I wrote a little about raising our wonderful first born son, David. Please go here to read a little of our background in this venture.

From an early age I always felt God had a special calling on David. In December, 1975, at the age of 11, he made a profession of faith and was baptized on January 2, 1976.

As the years went along David began to act out and behavior problems arose. David is going to write his own story, so I am not going to take his thunder but only report where we are today.

In 1986 at age 22 David began to get into serious trouble with the law and he literally disappeared for 10 years. Friends use to talk to us about how we stood not knowing where our son was, or what he was doing. It was indeed ONE of the most difficult periods of our lives. We always knew it was God David was running from and not his family!

In December, 1996, at a very early hour, we got a phone call from David. 10 years we had not heard from him. He returned to Tulsa and his family just prior to Christmas, 1996. What a wonderful and joyous day that was!!!

After being in Tulsa for 1 1/2 years David moved to Northern California. He continued to harden his heart against God & Jesus and chased various "other" beliefs. After moving, David was finally diagnosed as being Bipolar and for the first time in all of our lives, including his, we understood why he was having some of the problems he had.

In May, 2004 we visited David and his roommate, Mal, and met Nicole, the girl he was dating. During this visit we took David to see Mel Gibson's movie, The Passion of the Christ. David was very moved and driving home that evening he made comments such that we knew God was working in his life.

In April, 2005 he married Nicole. It was his first marriage. Nicole had three sons that entered the marriage with her. Two teenagers and one pre-teen. Our entire family was at the wedding and so delighted and pleased.

On August 27, 2006 David had a dream that disturbed him and he could not get it out of his mind. He asked if he could e-mail the dream to me, which he did. The moment I read the dream I knew it was a Spiritual Dream and I called him on the phone and began to translate the dream to him. I didn't get too far into it when he said, "Oh, my God". He began crying and turning back to God after running from Him for over 20 years.

Then the attacks of the enemy really began. Finally, on Sunday, September 30, this year David returned to his family and Tulsa. I posted about his return here.

On the following Sunday, October 7th David was in church with us and also with a commitment to attend church with us every Sunday. He was so touched during the sermon, and with our wonderful pastor, as we left the church that morning he said, "I want to talk to that man". He called and made an appointment and met with the Pastor on Thursday, October 11th.

On Sunday, October 14th David Wayne Joyce, at the age of 43 years old, returned, not only to his family, but to HIS GOD.

His father and my prayers of over 27 years were answered. I ALWAYS KNEW THEY WOULD BE. "Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen." Hebrews 11: 1

Will the road be smooth......no, he will be tested......but he will pass the test and fulfill the destiny God has had for him from the beginning as that small child. His days of running from God are over.

No matter what it is that you are believing for. No matter how many years it has been that you have been believing. DON'T GIVE UP!!!! God is faithful to HIS word and HIS promises to us. In a future blog I will post about dreams that God gave Mickey & I during that 10 year period when we never heard from David and I will also post the scriptures that we stood FIRM on during these 27 years.

David will write and post his own testimony and story in the near future for all of you to read and share.

For now we ask that you 1) rejoice with us that one of God's prodigal sons has returned, 2) pray for David, 3) pray for Nicole, who is not a believer, and is reeling with all that is taking place, and 4) pray that David submits to the calling that God has for him.

ALL four of my children WILL serve the Lord and love HIM with all their heart.

I BELIEVE!!!!!!!