Saturday, October 20, 2007

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!!!!!!!


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51 comments:

Celestial Freak said...

Praise God!

Momma Roar said...

Oh Susan! God is so good! Rejoicing and praying...rejoicing and praying...re'joyce'ing and praying!

Linds said...

Wonderful news, Susan! Your faith never faltered! Praise God indeed.

pearlie said...

Wonderful, Susan! Absolutely wonderful.

BTW, I commented today, your yesterday :)

Kimmie said...

Hi Susan;

What a wonderful testimony of God's faithfulness!

I am thankful you shared the dream and that you had the revelation (from God) that it was indeed a spiritual dream. How cool that God used you to interpret it for him and draw him back.

I am rejoicing with you (greatly) and praying that God's hand continues to transform David and his family into the likeness of Jesus.

May time not be wasted, but may God indeed be Glorified.

Thanks so much for sharing this, it is definitely a story of great inspiration for all of us.

May he continue to use you-giving you wisdom and revelation as you put your trust in Him!


blessings and hugs
Kimmie
mama to 6
one homemade and 5 adopted

Anonymous said...

No words...just tears.

Larissa said...

That's so wonderful Susan! I know you are just filled with joy! I am so happy for you, Mickie, David, and all your family!!! And you have no idea how I needed to hear that today! That gives me hope for things too. I hope you guys have a great weekend!!!

michelle said...

That is so cool...esp. after meeting with you and hearing your heart and prayers for David and your other children...your patience, your faith, your wait. Thank you Lord!!

Encourages me with my oldest brother..he is closing in on 50 and has been running from God since I can remember.

Susan said...

Wow, Susan. That gave me goosebumps and tears of joy all at once. What a journey he has had. I love your perseverance through it all and praise God that he's had you all praying for him.

Many blessings to you.

Love,

Susan

inspired said...

And the Angels rejoiced in heaven ;]

Michelle-ozark crafter said...

That brings tears to my eyes! I understand David's struggle with bi polar because I am bipolar as well. It isn't easy to live with. I will pray extra hard for him. God is so good!

Anonymous said...

Susan,

Thanks for sharing the story of your David. I read all the links you sent your readers to on this. What an encouragement to hear that God is not finished even when we as mothers have done all we knew to do. Our God is so much bigger than the sorrows we face. This story reminds me once again, that He is not confined to time and that His mercies are never ending. Blessings to you as you enjoy your son (I know he is grown, but my boys, now becoming men, will always be my boys. I remember when they were little men). I look forward to him sharing his story!

... said...

that is such an amazing story. and most amazing stories have God as the main character. it truly brought tears to my eyes and made my heart smile.

i look forward to reading more, especially how you and mickey held up during all those years.

thank you for sharing this story. it will speak to many. we can also rejoice and pray with you. God is good - all the time!

Charity Grace said...

This brought tears to my eyes. Thank you. I have a prodigal in my family for whom I'm praying as well.

someone else said...

What a wonderful story of victory. I'm sure those years must have been heartbreaking for you, but I'm so happy things have turned out this way.

kc bob said...

I'm with Ginger on this one! I am rejoicing with you Susan and asking for prayer for my two prodigals.

Blessings, Bob

Kathleen Grace said...

What a wonderful blessing and answer to prayer! Praise God that your son has returned!

Yellow Rose Arbor said...

Praise the Lord for answered prayers! How well you know about the waiting period and faith. This is what we are going through now, with a health situation. I don't know if you read my blog a few days ago about our waiting, but your story is a confirmation of how God is working, behind the scenes, even when we can't see anything happening.

Thanks for sharing David's story, we will be praying for him, and for his wife.

Katherine

Susan Skitt said...

Susan,

Rejoicing, and praying, praying, praying... God answers!

karen said...

xrejoicing and praising with you!

Cheryl said...

Thanks for sharing your story. God is awesome. David is very lucky to have parents that kept on praying for him. You kept the faith.

Jill said...

Oh Susan. What a wonderful thing for David and all of your family. My husband made a second profession of faith on Easter Sunday 2002 and, like with David, the enemy really challenged him in the following years. His testimony moves me to tears every single time. I am so blessed to be with my husband,and I can't wait to read David's words. God bless you all.

Annie said...

What an encouraging story Susan.
Thank you for sharing it.

Tammy said...

Susan...this is so wonderful!
God is stronger than any tactics of the enemy, any bi-polar issues, anything....especially when people are praying!
And there's something special, I think, about the prayers and faith of a loving mother...
I will be praying for him, and I am rejoicing along with you!

A Captured Reflection said...

What an amazing testimony. I know that many will be encouraged and given hope again. What testimony to God as well that you could hold on to him for your son over those years, it must have been so hard, so painful - I cannot fathom, but the issue is the glory of God here and what he will continue to do. Wow!

Kristie said...

Susan no words can describe what I am feeling right now. All I can say is God is GOod ALL THE TIME...

Looking forward to your son's testimony. I have a dear friend that we are praying for her daughter for many many years when she stops running from God she will have an awesome testimony too as although we sometimes don't realize that the people that run the hardest FROM God and sometimes for the longest time can be the best evangelist for the Kingdom

Pen of Jen said...

Wow Praise God! As a mother this is such a terrific post of comfort!

I love reading the return! Amen

Midlife Cycler said...

I cried the entire time because my son is 20 and even tho he is home, he is not walking with the Lord. I have no doubt that another 20 years could go by. His heart is hardened. And having daily faith is hard. I cry when I pray for him because the hurt of parent not united with their children in heaven is one of the hardest feelings.Thanks for your story of faithfulness. You must be so joyful!

Anonymous said...

Praise be, Susan! May your son cum to God and in him like never before! God is so good!

Cherdecor said...

I just came across your blog and was so blessed to read about your son. What a great post and what a great God we serve! Thank you for sharing this with the world.

Frazzled Farm Wife said...

I am so glad that your son returned to you but even happier that he returned to God!

Love your story Susan and your never-ending Faith!

Betty said...

Susan, I am so happy for you and your family....God is so good....His time table is not always ours....

Thank you for dropping by....Betty

Monkey Giggles said...

An absolutely wonderful story. Thank you for sharing. You have touched my heart.

Jean said...

I saw your comment on Cherdecor's blog and I came right over. You have NO IDEA how timely this story about David is for me right now. Thank you, thank you, thank you for sharing it.

Nadine said...

What a wonderful story. I rejoice with you and your husband on your son returning not only to you but to the Father. How glorious. It gives hope to all those out there with prodigals that they will return.

Anonymous said...

As a prodigal daughter -- I am rejoicing with you. When God hits you -- He hits you! Praying for Nicole and the rest of the children. May he be the light that shines brightly.

kdwhorses said...

WOW, how amazing our God is! Thanks for sharing. Praying and rejoicing-AMEN God is so GOOOOOOOD!!

Susie said...

This was such a treasure to read. Thank you Susan for sharing this personal testimony with all of us. Praise God!

Unknown said...

Praise our most awesome God! I'm so happy for not only David, but for you and Mickey. You bet, I'll be remembering him in prayers. The enemy doesn't like this kind of news!

groovyoldlady said...

Wow. I am SO rejoicing with you! Your testimony has filled my heart with hope for Scout. Thank you and THANK YOU, LORD!

Ruth said...

WOW!! I am soooo very excited for you, your family, and most of all, David. What an extraordinary testimony.

Justabeachkat said...

Susan

I'm finally able to catch up on my blog reading after being out of town over the weekend.

What a wonderful message this post gives. Never ever give up. God is patient and is there when we decide to come. How comforting to know He is always there.

I'm so happy for you and your family.

Hugs!
Kat

Rose of Sharon said...

Praise God! This story is so wonderful and what a testimony to hang in there and keep praying. Oh, praise God, praise God, praise God!

:0) Sharon

Amber said...

OH PRAISE THE LORD!!!!


God Bless,
Amber

Christy said...

This is a really powerful post, and you are so right. God will always prevail.

TMM said...

Glorious! Hallelu YAH! God is faithful. God is married to the backlsider, Jeremiah tells us. I'm so filled with joy for David's return to Him...Throw a party!

Sidharth

She Rose Up said...

Hi! I liked your name, and found you at Karen's Ramblings & wanted to pop over. I have about a 1/2 David myself. Long story, He is 23 and lives with us right now. He too is running, and has been since he was 17. I can just tell you that it is nto necessaryily a blessing to know where they are and what they are doing. God is sooo faithful though and I always say and teach the If we will believe, stand on and decalre His Word, the we can say the God will have the last Word int heir lives, and His Word is always a GOOD Word!

I will keep your David in my prayers.

Bless you for not giving up, or being bitter. Just think, you would have missed the joy if you had given up!

Maria

Sharon Lynne said...

Thank you for sharing your story. It shows that God works in his own time...but He is faithful! Always.

Cjdusse said...

I am going to print this testimony off and send it to my mum. She is praying for my brother now for 52 years! I am rejoicing with you. Carin

Sohailah said...

Thank you for your honesty - for not getting buried in shame, etc and letting us knwo and be encouraged in our own faith walks. Love you!

Lyndy said...

Susan, I love reading how God is working in all of your lives. God is so good.