Restored - True Love is Unconditional!
There was a woman named JeanMarie who had eight daughters and 2 sons. One of the daughters died physically and another daughter died emotionally. The one daughter who died emotionally became a prostitute, her name was Ellen. Ellen rejected the love of her mother and sisters and brothers. She decided that her pain was great and she would feel no pain anymore. Therefore, she used drugs and alcohol to kill her emotions. She numbed her emotions to life. She was a dead woman walking. She felt as though her life was non-valuable to any one; not even to the children she produced through prostitution. She was not forced into prostitution like so many young women in foreign countries are today. She decided to become a prostitute to earn money and used the very thing she devalued the most, herself. She completely untied herself from her family.
But her mother was a strong woman of faith and she prayed and prayed. The more she prayed the more she loved her daughter unconditionally. However, the more she prayed the more things appeared to be getting worst. One day they found the daughter at her very worst on the floor of her apartment in her own blood. The woman’s other daughters decided to spare their mother the embarrassment and pain of seeing her child this way. So they formed a circle of love around her. They flew in from various parts of the country and at the hospital they stood guard over their sister. They talked to the doctors so the doctors could know that someone cared about this woman who did not care about herself. The doctors said they do not expect for her to live and she most likely would not make it. The daughters finally had to tell their mother. However, the mother came back with one reply, “Jesus did not tell me that. And because He did not say that; she will live.” So the daughters went back to the hospital and prayed scriptures over their sister as their mother had instructed. They prayed scriptures such as these:
“May you be strengthened by the truth that God is the Lord who heals you. (Exod 15:26,NIV)
“ May you worship the Lord your God, and may His blessing be on your food and water (the things you need for survival). May the Lord take away sickness from among you. (Exod 23:25,NIV)
“May God give you new life and take care of you in your old age. (Ruth 4:15, NCV)
“May you live to be a good old age, full of days and riches and honor. (1 Chr. 29:28,NKJV)
“May the Lord rescue your soul from death, your eyes from tears, and your feet from falling.” (Ps. 116:8,CJB)
Three days later Ellen made a remarkable recovery. The doctors said it was unbelievable and they cannot explain how she lived. Her mother can, she loved her unconditionally and she taught her sisters to do the same. Love brought her back. That was 7 years ago and Ellen is still alive and well. She gave her life to Christ.
We all know somebody who needs to be loved back to life even if they are still alive or lost in this world. They can be restored and found again.
But her mother was a strong woman of faith and she prayed and prayed. The more she prayed the more she loved her daughter unconditionally. However, the more she prayed the more things appeared to be getting worst. One day they found the daughter at her very worst on the floor of her apartment in her own blood. The woman’s other daughters decided to spare their mother the embarrassment and pain of seeing her child this way. So they formed a circle of love around her. They flew in from various parts of the country and at the hospital they stood guard over their sister. They talked to the doctors so the doctors could know that someone cared about this woman who did not care about herself. The doctors said they do not expect for her to live and she most likely would not make it. The daughters finally had to tell their mother. However, the mother came back with one reply, “Jesus did not tell me that. And because He did not say that; she will live.” So the daughters went back to the hospital and prayed scriptures over their sister as their mother had instructed. They prayed scriptures such as these:
“May you be strengthened by the truth that God is the Lord who heals you. (Exod 15:26,NIV)
“ May you worship the Lord your God, and may His blessing be on your food and water (the things you need for survival). May the Lord take away sickness from among you. (Exod 23:25,NIV)
“May God give you new life and take care of you in your old age. (Ruth 4:15, NCV)
“May you live to be a good old age, full of days and riches and honor. (1 Chr. 29:28,NKJV)
“May the Lord rescue your soul from death, your eyes from tears, and your feet from falling.” (Ps. 116:8,CJB)
Three days later Ellen made a remarkable recovery. The doctors said it was unbelievable and they cannot explain how she lived. Her mother can, she loved her unconditionally and she taught her sisters to do the same. Love brought her back. That was 7 years ago and Ellen is still alive and well. She gave her life to Christ.
We all know somebody who needs to be loved back to life even if they are still alive or lost in this world. They can be restored and found again.
This is very touching. The only thing that keeps us going is God's Unconditional Love for us, very much like JeanMarie in this story. Ask yourself how many times have you've done things that were of embarrassment to your co-workers, friends, and family, however when they were embarrassed with shame and maybe still loving you, God was loving you unconditionally! I've learned once you've accepted Jesus Christ into your heart there is nothing you can do about the way God loves you, He'll always forgive and love you, proud that you are His child, even when friends & family won't. I appreciate this story and it's very close to my heart, because I have a Father in heaven and a mother here on earth who knows, shows, and practices unconditional love.
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