In two more days we will celebrate my mother’s 95th birthday. She is an amazing woman who has lived a full life. Losing my father 10 years ago was the hardest experience she has ever faced. Still in love after 63 years of marriage, she lost her soul mate. But after a year of grieving, she began to “live” again and has found purpose and meaning in her senior years.

When my mom turned 90, she said she wanted to stay in her home for as long as possible, so that was my prayer. I prayed every day that she would stay in her home until the Lord took her to heaven.

In September of 2015, we moved her to an assisted living facility because she could no longer live alone. We found a beautiful place where she would get the care that she needed. This past year has been amazing! She loves the staff, the food, and all the new friends she has made. She often goes to the exercise room to help the other women use the exercise bike after she takes a spin herself. We never could have imagined how happy she would be away from the home my father built for her.

And that’s my point.

I begged God to let her stay home because it’s what we all wanted for her. God did not answer that prayer because He had something better.  And so I have learned a lesson about prayer. I am now praying more for God’s will to be done rather than what I think is best.

As parents and grandparents, we want to teach our children and grandchildren that they can talk to God about anything. They can ask God for things that they need. We want them to pray specifically. But it’s also important to teach them that God will answer their prayers according to His plan and purpose, and He knows what is best.

“No eye has seen, no ear has heard, and no mind has imagined the things that God has prepared for those who love him” (I Corinthians 2:9 ISV).

Happy Birthday, Mom!

Crystal