«Devote yourselves to prayer with an alert mind and a thankful heart» (Colossians 4:2, NLT).
How long would you be willing to pray over something before giving up? I want to share the story of Minka Disbrow, an exceptional woman who prayed for seventy seven years until she witnessed a miracle. When Minka was sixteen years old, she went to the forest with her friends from the sewing club. They were going to enjoy the sunshine and share a picnic in the state of South Dakota, United States. However, while they were in the forest, a man attacked Minka and raped her. It was the year 1928, Minka did not understand what had happened to her and did not mention it to anyone. She still thought babies came from storks. Months later, her mother noticed Minka was pregnant and sent her to a Lutheran home so that she could discreetly give birth. Minka’s daughter, Betty Jane, was given up for adoption. For seventy seven years, Minka prayed for her daughter and continued to send letters to the director of the home. However, adoption laws in those days did not allow biological parents to contact their children once they had given them up for adoption.
On May 22, 2006, the day of Betty’s birthday, Minka prayed once again: «Lord, I would like to see Betty Jane before I die. I promise I will not bother her or interrupt her life. I only want to see her face.» Although Minka did not know it, that very same day the adoption documents were declassified and Betty Jane’s family received them. Months later, Minka got a phone call from Brian Lee, who turned out to be her great-grandson. Brian asked her if she wanted to speak to Betty Jane, who was now called Ruth Lee. Then, Minka found out that Ruth had been raised by a believing couple, had gotten married and had six children (one of whom is an astronaut and had orbited the world 517 times).
A few months ago I had the privilege of speaking with Cathy LaGrow, one of Minka’s granddaughters. She told me about Minka and Ruth’s reunion, and the party they organized to celebrate their great-grandmother’s one hundredth birthday, with the whole family there. Cathy is convinced one of the greatest blessings she has been given in life is the example of her great-grandmother Minka: to never give up praying.
Dear Lord, I am so impatient with my prayers. . . I do not receive what I ask for because I give up too soon and grow tired of knocking on the door. Forgive me! Please help me to persevere in prayer.
#WomensDevotional
#RadioJovenAdventista
#MeditacionesDiarias
Take From: Devotional Thoughts for Women 2022
«NO FEARS»
BY: VANEZA PISSUTO
Collaborators: Alexandra Pérez & Angelica Cuate.
