By Donna Jones

I can still remember it. A white van drove into the mall parking lot. I watched my 21-year-old son climb in with nothing but a change of clothes and toiletries. Then, the van drove away, taking my first born son to a military processing center in Amarillo. My chest hurt . . . couldn’t breathe . . . tears flowed like the Niagara Falls. Kevin, my husband, Christopher’s father, was popping buttons off his shirt, he was so proud. Not me! I was scared! Driving home I came to a red light and laid my head on steering wheel and cried out to God: “I CAN’T DO THIS! IT’S TOO HARD AND I NEED YOU! THAT’S MY SON!” You know, He knew how I was feeling!

For the next three months I cried. Then what I was most fearful of happened: a terrorist attack catapulted us into war. All the fear rushed to the surface. But something changed. When we finally got to see that 6’2” man proudly standing before us in his Navy uniform, I started to see him through different eyes. It seemed that God began changing my fearful heart and began teaching me how to pray like I’ve never prayed before.

Fast forward two years . . . We got a call that Christopher is being sent to Abu Ghraib prison in Iraq. Afraid? I’d be lying if I said no, but there was also trust. Over time I was being taught that I could trust God with my child. There was a peace in knowing that whatever happened, God was in control and Christopher was safe in His Hands whether it be on earth or in heaven.

So I prayed! Prayer became that connection with my son who was on the other side of the world, but also with my Father. I learned to pray not only for Christopher’s safety, but also that he would find favor with others around him and that he would be a light in a very dark place. I prayed for grace and strength and that he would always feel God’s presence when loneliness overcame him. I prayed that young soldiers who walked along side Christopher would come to know the Lord and secure their spiritual safety.

Whenever fear began to overwhelm my heart, prayer was my only peace. Prayer knitted my heart and soul to God in knowing that He knew what it was like to send His Son off. Not in a white van, but to a dark, ugly world to die. His mission was to SAVE and REDEEM those who would hear and respond to His voice. So if you are a parent of a soldier, run to God and pray. He does hear you! If you are a church youth leader, remember what moms and dads are going through . . . and pray for them, too.

Donna Jones is a mom in Odessa, Texas. She and her husband Kevin raised three amazing Christian kids who are all now young adults.