Today marks 8 months of living in Japan for my daughter. She teaches English in a rural town. She began studying Japanese in junior high and high school because she loved Pokemon. She went on to complete her degree in Asian studies from A.S.U. Then, this job opportunity came up, and we packed her bags and sent her off to live on the other side of the world.
Now, for some back story. This was also the child who struggled the most in her faith journey: “I don’t know what I believe.” “No one’s going to tell me what to believe.” Those aren’t the sentiments Christian parents want to hear. What happened to all those years of Sunday School? Family Prayer? Church? Bible stories?
My husband’s tactic was to “go preachy” on her. Well, that didn’t work. My approach was to try logic and reason: believing in nothing doesn’t make sense! It doesn’t get you anywhere! Arguing isn’t a winning strategy, either. Finally, we backed off, prayed a lot, and kept our hearts and doors open. We also stood by some painstaking mistakes she made about relationships and poor life choices, based on that lack of moral compass.
Putting her on a plane to Japan wasn’t easy, as much as we wanted to see her live her dreams and have a successful career. But her unfinished business with the Lord didn’t give us peace. Afterall, planes crash; Japan has earthquakes, tsunamis, nuclear disasters, and just this week, a typhoon!
But God had bigger plans for her. He took her far away, so she could get closer to Him. In Japan, she found her faith again. She has a circle of Christian friends who do weekly Bible studies. Her closest Christian friend lives in her apartment complex. She’s witnessed to a young woman who came to visit Japan, who was tormented by evil spirits. She’s had many long distance calls with dad to talk about faith, and God, and the Bible. Thank God for international calling plans.
Not all situations with our adult children have perfect or happy endings. There can be heartbreaking choices with hurtful consequences to themselves and others when they stray from the Lord. I want to encourage the mothers and grandmothers of “prodigal” children. Keep praying, keep loving, even when it hurts to see your faith rejected.
Your child might not need to travel to the end of the world to rediscover God. It might be detouring and journeying through life mile markers which will require a big U-turn. Some things are simply beyond our control. We have an extended family member battling mental health challenges, and her impulses can be frightening and unsafe. She needs the Lord, medical intervention, spiritual healing, prayers, and love.
I miss my daughter. We hope to travel to see her this year. But I don’t doubt God’s plan, that he took her far away to bring her back home to Him.
Thanks Jodi, it’s what I needed to hear today. When our children and grandchildren morph into someone you don’t recognize anymore, it’s heartening to hear this!
What a great story! My son’s dream place to go is Japan!! He also loves Pokémon.
You and Curt have been so faithful throughout the years. God hears the prayers of His people. Thanks so much for sharing. Sometimes we feel like we are the only parent that struggles with wayward children. I needed to hear this today also.
This is such an encouraging and COOL story, Jodi!
One of my daughters loves Japanese culture and Pokemon too! Thanks for sharing your story…I love how God uses all things to bring us closer to Him and that includes our children.
Ditto what the others said about needing to hear this – just goes to show that we need to keep our faith, keep believing and praying and that there is hope when it appears otherwise – so awesome for your daughter!