It may surprise you to learn I've prayed for Tracy since Aaron was born.
Few things are so important.
Few prayers required more of my time.
I prayed this prayer a thousand times.
I prayed this prayer for each of my children.
When did you start praying for your children's spouses?
From the day of each one's birth
I prayed a similar prayer
...for Amber and Aaron and Angela.
My prayers for Ryan and John differed only a bit, but my prayers for Tracy went something like this.
"Lord, somewhere there is a little girl who'll grow up to be my son's wife. Wherever she is at this moment, bless her with Your favor. Pour out Your provision on her life. Watch over her. Give her everything she needs to become a wise and faithful woman. Fill her with courage and compassion. Strengthen her. Put a hedge of protection around her. Discipline her and train her.
Give her loving and wise parents. Lead them in the Way that leads to life so she'll follow them in righteousness and learn to live for You. I pray she'll fall in love with Jesus. Show her how You've made her "special." Show her Your plan and purpose for her life. Prepare her for life with my son - as You prepare him for life with her.
I trust You to make her a great woman - so she can be a great wife, as You make my son a great man - so he can be a great husband. I entrust my son, and his future wife, into Your care.
Oh Lord, be their Lord! Oh God, be their God! Let my son, and this little girl, bring honor and glory to You, as they play their part in Your great Story."
Sure the prayer varied with each praying, but that was the spirit of it. I prayed that prayer again and again, day after day, year after year.
Last week God answered that prayer.
After securing her father's blessing, Aaron asked Tracy to marry him. She said, "Yes."
Tracy is the answer to my prayers. God has given more than I asked for. God has given more than I ever imagined in my wildest dreams. Just as God brought Ryan to Amber, and John to Angela, God brought Tracy to Aaron.
She is the woman for Aaron. She is a great woman - a follower of Christ living on mission.
Tracy is the one God prepared for my son, just as surely as God prepared my son for her.
Sheila and I couldn't be happier.
Ephesians 3:20 - God can do anything, you know—far more than you could ever imagine or guess or request in your wildest dreams!
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Yes, this pregnancy thing has made me a tad more emotional lately...which could be why I have tears rolling down my face at work right now.
Or it could be the simple fact that the words you prayed for our spouses are just that special to me.
Love you dad.
Posted by: Amber Cox | December 16, 2008 at 02:40 PM
Aaron and Tracy (soon-to-be) Beeson are a dynamic duo! She is the perfect completion to the "in law" generation of Beesons that Ryan and John have so marvelously begun. Prayer is a powerful blessing. Have a great expanding family Christmas!!
Posted by: Becky Hunter | December 17, 2008 at 07:03 AM
Congratulations!!!
As a Dad (first) and a pastor, I have prayed that same pray thousands of times for my two girls, who are now 18 & 20. My heart completely identifies with your post today.
Posted by: Kirk Bowman | December 17, 2008 at 05:07 PM
Congratulations!! There are so many exciting things going on in your family and I'm so excited for you!
Thank you so much, Pastor Mark, for the reminder of praying for our children's spouses - the model you wrote is especially helpful. I love that God already knows and is preparing the perfect girl for my Cody and the reminder of that is soooo appreciated. Thank you for being the kind of leader that doesn't just talk the talk, but walks the walk. You have made a profound difference in my life and my family's lives!
Posted by: Lanette Rajski | December 17, 2008 at 05:30 PM
wow. I needed to read this. I've forgotten to pray this over my boys in a long time.
Thanks and congrats!
Posted by: Larry Boatright | December 18, 2008 at 02:12 AM
Mark- Thank you. Thank you for praying for me and for us. Thank you for being a wonderful example of a husband and father to Aaron. And thank you for welcoming me into your wonderful family so joyfully. I can't wait to officially be a Beeson! :)
Posted by: Tracy Frost | December 18, 2008 at 08:33 AM
i have three beautiful daughters. i've never prayed a prayer like this for them before...(one's 14! i better get busy) i'm going to start today. thank you pastor beeson for modeling so well and sharing your wisdom.
Posted by: Heather | December 19, 2008 at 08:00 AM
Your tenacity, wisdom, and faithfulness never cease to amaze me Pastor Mark.
Posted by: Kim | December 19, 2008 at 09:40 AM