Prayer Circles

My prayers for all of us who are raising our extended families (grandchildren) for whatever reason. For the past year, this has been my mission. I've asked myself constantly "why me Lord?" I raised my children right... all by myself...what happened? My youngest child of five, just graduated from college....I'm ready Lord to enjoy life! I have felt guilty and ashamed about these selfish feelings and thoughts. Then I realize, "why not me?" So many children are lost to the system of the world. What better person than a "grandma/grandpa" to give the love, understanding, care and security to a child. God knows I am only human, but I believe that God give you no more than you can bear and knowing that "all things are possible through Christ which strengthens me"...and so I perserver. Lots of prayer and the discovery of this site has been a blessing in my self-centered battle over the question "why". That questions burns less within my heart as I see the progress my 3 grands make. So, for those of you who feel alone, you are not. If you feel depressed about your situation don't, get over it (with Gods help), your grands need a whole you....they have lost enough already! Pray, pray harder and pray some more! May God bless us all, through his son Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit, these things I pray for you and me...Amen.

Yesterday, I attended a luncheon for my grandparents support group. Our speaker, extold upon us that whatever we give comes back full circle. While listening to her she made me realize how blessed I am. You see, I always thought I was a good mother..but looking back, there are many things I could have done differently to make the lives of my children better. And for many years, I have prayed to myself, Lord, if I had it to do over again...not that I feel guilty about myself as a mother, but looking back I could have done so much better. Well, needless to say, I know I can never go back and give of myself as a mother, I can only move forward...But what I have failed to realize and wasted time asking why my current circumstances in raising my grands, God was answering my pray and giving me a second chance by having my Grandkids be with me. I love my children and grands and want the best for everybody...but, I have to start with me...not being so selfish and not wasting this second chance. Lord, I come you with great faith and hope, praying for paitence, guidance in making me a better grandma then I was a mother. Remove from me the spirt of anger, resentfullness and selfishness that I possess inside because of my circumstance. Open my heart dear Lord, not for my sake, but for the sake of my grands and the salvation of my soul. Help me to embrace the blessings you and the heavenly father have bestowed upon me. Show me the way lord to give more of myself. Remove this internal burden that I feel...I want to do so much better Lord, please, please, please help me...These things I ask in the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Sprit...AMEN, AMEN, AMEN

when i was 14 both of my parents 2 younger brothers and my 9 month old baby sister were all killed by a drunk driver. my older sister (who was 16 at the time)my twin brother and i were instantly orphans with no home and no family. our grandparent,paul and maude bryant of st. louis mo. took us in without hesitation. all the counseling and therapy in the world could not have done for us what they did. they loved and cared for us and pieced our broken lives back together.all 3 of us grew to be strong, self sufficient, decent, adults with children and grandchildren of our own. i remember when my grandpa died. on his death bed he took my sisters hand and said. "its not that i fear dieing so much, its that i fear there will be little children yet to come who will need their papaw." our response to that is---"papaw, its time to pass the torch.you were the greatest teacher of them all and now its time to trust what you have tought and let us carry on" to you grandparents who are raising their grandchildren, i wish i could convey to you in words just how special you are. i know god has an extra special mansion waiting just for you. where would these children be if not with you?what would these children learn if not for your love and caring? god bless you all and may your hearts be filled with the joy of childrens laughter.