My baby turns 30 this week.
She came to us as an angry infant, her harsh cries filling the nights. Then the anger became a slow burn, self-will and defiance building with each year. There was counseling, evaluations, and interventions in the desperate hope of stemming the tide. But then came the boiling over, her rage fueling a determination to destroy her life. There were midnight trips to police stations, runaway reports, empty bottles, broken hearts.
And then she was gone.
We have no idea where she is, and haven’t for years now. She left behind exhausted and wary parents, wounded siblings, and two children, now motherless.
My baby turns 30 this week, somewhere out there in the darkness she chose.
She left behind the warmth of home for cold sidewalks, park benches and jail cells. She left behind a family both relieved and grieving at her going. I’m baffled by her craving for harshness and hatred instead of the tender love she’d always known.
My baby turns 30 this week, a milestone that should be celebrated with cake and candles, hugs from her children, friends and laughter.
We have released her to the pursuing love of God. To the God who came for exactly this. And we pray. Oh, how we pray for this one gone missing from the circle of our family, but never from the heart of God.
Then Jesus told them this parable: “Suppose one of you has a hundred sheep and loses one of them. Doesn’t he leave the ninety-nine in the open country and go after the lost sheep until he finds it? And when he finds it, he joyfully puts it on his shoulders and goes home. Then he calls his friends and neighbors together and says, ‘Rejoice with me; I have found my lost sheep.’ I tell you that in the same way there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who do not need to repent.
Luke 15:3-7
A View of the Lake 
This breaks my heart. And it’s a good reminder to me to continue to pray for her and you in this. ❤️
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Thank you ❤️
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Oh how my heart breaks for her, her children & for you. We will continue to remember her & pray for her.💔🙏🏼🤟
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Thanks, Colleen ❤️
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Our hearts have been with your hearts for the past 30 years! And our prayers have been with you and your family for the past 30 years! We love you and are trusting in God‘s grace for the future!
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Our friendship has been a true blessing. Thank you.
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Father God, thank You that You know where this dear child of God is….You know every hair on her head. We pray that she is safe in your loving watchcare, we pray for the salvation of her soul and for the Holy Spirit to dwell in her heart. If it is Your gracious will, we ask that she would make contact with Andrea and the family, be welcomed and reconciled. Thank You for hearing our prayers. Please God, we pray for Your mercy and grace and protection in the precious and mighty name of Jesus, to the glory of God. Please comfort and assure the hearts of Andrea and the entire family, with the peace that passes all understanding.
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Thank you so much ❤️
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I will pray for this beautiful young daughter…We know that God is pursuing her and I pray for her soul to find Him🙏🏻 I love you and will also pray for you and all her family
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Thank you.
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Andrea, thank you for sharing this and for the reminder that every human being is valuable. I am truly sorry for your loss and I pray for you and your family. Do not ever lose hope. Lean into God, for He is your refuge and in Jesus is Truth.
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Thank you, Melissa. This post has generated a lot of prayer for our girl, for which we’re deeply grateful.
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Lord, I pray for this one gone missing to be found by You. Give her eyes to see and ears to hear the wonders of Your Good News. Have all the truths that have been planted so lovingly in her life be brought to her mind by Your Holy Spirit. Have the songs of worship from childhood that were so tenderly taught well up in her soul to bring hope and healing. We don’t know what to do, Lord, but our eyes are upon You. In Jesus name I pray, amen. Will you pray, too, for our 13 year old daughter who often seems to be on the same path and is not speaking to us at the moment…. in a battle for a cell phone. Yes, as you wrote, we are exhausted and wary.
Love in Christ,Jamie
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That’s a beautiful prayer and I too will be praying for your daughter. My sister was a prodigal but thank God she returned to the faith when she was a grown woman. God is faithful!
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We deeply appreciate everyone’s prayers.
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Its not an uncommon struggle. I am praying for her and for you right now.
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The Scripture I frequently prayed for Emily is Psalm 141:4.
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We were not aware of the of extent of your heart ache and pain. We will definitely be praying for you and this precious daughter.
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Thank you.
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