Love Note in a Frame

Love Note in a Frame
Friday, February 16, 2024 by Frances McFarland

“Before they call, I will answer; while they are still speaking I will hear” Isaiah 65:24 (NIV).

I brushed away a tear before my Sunday school class of 3-year-olds noticed it. Little Abigail’s words had stung my heart.

“My daddy reads the Bible and prays with me every night,” she’d said.

Those sweet words whisked me away to a painful place. I wondered; would my future grandchildren have a father who would pray with them?

My adult daughter was in a relationship with an atheist. For two years, I held on to hope that I could bring my prodigal child home. Maybe one more heart-to-heart conversation, one more book to ask her to read, one more conference to suggest she attend…. But I felt God say, “Step aside. I’ve heard your prayers. I’ll do the work.”

I promised to let go and let God.

Even when Lindsy broke off her relationship with Dan, I wasn’t at peace. The battle wasn’t over. She was fragile, and Dan was emotionally and sometimes physically abusive. Would he force himself back into her life? If not, who would fill the gap? Sometimes, the urge to “help God out” was almost too powerful to ignore. That was the case on the evening my small group met at a friend’s house.

I noticed a photo of a handsome young man on Sonya’s end table. I‘ll never forget the words she spoke when I picked up the frame and asked who he was. “That’s my son, Jackson. I don’t think he’ll ever get married.” The suggestion to introduce him to my daughter was on its way out of my mouth when I remembered my promise. Reluctantly, I put the photo back in its place.

The rest is truly God’s story. A few weeks later, I overheard Lindsy talking on the phone. She was excited to tell me all about it when she hung up. She met a man named Jackson at a dinner party. As she filled in the details, it was clear…This was the same Jackson I saw in my friend’s photo.

I felt as if I’d received a wink from above. The photo I held in my hands that evening was not a job assignment from God. It was His love note to me. “Before you called, I was answering. Before you spoke, I heard.” Through no effort of my own, God was about to bring the perfect man into my daughter’s life.

Jackson and Lindsey have been married for 18 years. My 13-year-old granddaughter is blessed with a father who prays with her and continuously points her to the truths of His Word. I’m profoundly grateful for answered prayers and lessons that grew my faith in a powerful way.

Precious Lord, Your love brings beauty from ashes. Thank you for allowing us to put our heavy burdens on your shoulders. Peel away our white-knuckled grip and give us faith to know you are always at work.

Frances’ heart’s desire is to be used by God to pass the baton of faith on to the next generation. She enjoyed twenty-one years as Director of Children’s Ministries before transitioning from the church office to her personal writing loft. Contributing stories to Focus on the Family’s Clubhouse Jr has expanded her reach and strengthened her resolve to illuminate the message of God’s love and grace in ways children can understand. She recently launched her website, Light from the Loft, www.lightfromtheloft.com, to encourage and equip families, teachers, and ministry leaders in their mission to build strong spiritual foundations for the children in their lives. Frances lives in Lexington, SC, where she is a member of Word Weaver’s Lexington chapter.

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Comments

Megan From At 2/18/2024 12:10:11 PM

Love the this story. Thank you for reminder to be still, be prayerful and let god work ??

Lara From South Carolina At 2/17/2024 10:36:41 PM

What an amazing testimony of God’s grace!

Mallori VanSyckel From Lexington At 2/17/2024 9:34:22 PM

Thank you for the reminder to watch for those, "winks from above!"

Jason From Lexington, SC At 2/17/2024 9:23:14 PM

Beautifully written! What a wonderful reminder that God’s plan is perfect and he is always at work. Sometimes he uses us to accomplish his purposes and other times we are to be still (as hard as that is) and know that he is God!

Jeannie From Georgia At 2/17/2024 9:30:50 AM

Thank you for this beautiful and powerful message.

Judy From Conway, SC At 2/17/2024 8:07:57 AM

Beautiful story! ?? Thank you, Frances, for the reminder that God is at work. Our limited vision does not limit HIM.

Jim McFarland From Lexington SC At 2/16/2024 10:33:48 PM

I love this story of trusting in God’s plan, rather than our own! Frances did an amazing job of telling this wonderful true story. It brings tears of joy to my eyes to see the results of God’s love for this wonderful couple.

Jean Wilund From Lexington SC At 2/16/2024 10:28:01 PM

Thanks, Frances, for sharing this incredible story! Amen to this great prayer: “Peel away our white-knuckled grip and give us faith to know you are always at work.” Do this work in me, Lord!!

Leslie From South Carolina At 2/16/2024 6:33:22 PM

This story brings tears to my eyes. Thank you for writing it and sharing God's answered prayer!

Kay From Lexington At 2/16/2024 6:02:51 PM

??Love to see how God works-we think if we do just one more thing…..but He doesn’t need our help-just our faith!

Myra From At 2/16/2024 3:32:27 PM

Frances, what a beautiful & inspiring story! Great lessons for all of us parents who love our kids so much & want them to walk in the Truth.

Tonya From Lexington SC At 2/16/2024 2:51:12 PM

Two families were blessed by those prayers you prayed and God’s answers are always for our good and His glory.

Abby From At 2/16/2024 1:01:09 PM

What a powerful story!

Maureen Miller From Waynesville, NC At 2/16/2024 12:41:47 PM

This truly is a beautiful testimony of God‘s goodness. I need it right now. Yours and God’s encouragement was just on time! ??

Mary From At 2/16/2024 12:19:09 PM

Love the title! This is very well-written. Thank you for sharing!

Barbara wright From Lexington SC At 2/16/2024 11:58:16 AM

Beautifully written. Beautifully given. What a testament to the love and power of our God. Thank you for sharing .

Rebecca Howard From Tallahassee At 2/16/2024 11:46:58 AM

This so encouraging. If we just pray and give it all to God, he will be faithful to answer our prayers.

Ann From Mississauga, Ontario At 2/16/2024 11:34:14 AM

What a profound story. The messages to "let go" and "wait" are difficult, and test my level of trust. Over and over I have to learn that He is God and I am not.

Nicey T. Eller From At 2/16/2024 11:33:09 AM

"Helping God out" should be a recovery group. This story gives hope and grace, taking us to the place of recognizing ourselves and seeing God's grace at the same time. Thank you.

Catherine From Lexington SC At 2/16/2024 11:08:00 AM

What a beautiful picture of how Our Father takes care of His children! Thank you for sharing this!

Jennifer M. Barnes From South Carolina At 2/16/2024 10:00:59 AM

Oh, my goodness! What a beautiful story! ?? How much more incredible it was - because you didn't "help God fix" things! Thank you for sharing a miracle from your heart. ??