A call made this morning ...

to a homeschool mama who faces hardships that I can only imagine. A diagnosis for her son that I cannot even begin to spell or recount on this post, but which requires a watchful eye during every waking hour ... and she works a full-time job at night to enable her family to treat her son's illness in the best possible ways.

Unfailing Love

My job today was to listen and encourage her to pursue a less structured homeschool umbrella program. We could accommodate her needs, but somehow I was hearing her heart speak between her words- and she was hung up on not meeting ALL the requirements of our umbrella program. Standardized testing ... curriculum choices ... determining appropriate academic levels ...

All this mom longs to do is hear her child's voice. He's trapped inside a body that won't allow him to speak ...

The least of her worries should be how someone else judges how they are doing life. But she does. I could feel the pain across the phone lines. The fear of things not getting better- but more than that the fear of others thinking she wasn't doing enough and it was her fault things aren't getting better ... based on just those kinds of accusations from professionals.

As I sat praying ... "Lord, what would you have me say to just minister to her heart? Not just calm her academic fears, not just encourage her to keep on going ... but Lord, what would allow her heart to be less burdened than before I called?"

Honestly, I didn't expect an answer. Because I'm struggling with Him myself. I'm in Week 8 of Breaking Free and now the charge is to integrate feelings into the mix ... and I'm in trouble here.

So, the following conversation ensued ...

"Pray with her."
"Lord, I can't remember her name ..."
"Pray with her."
"Lord, please, have her mention her own name!"
"Pray with her."
"Lord, she's already feeling like people don't listen to her and I CAN'T REMEMBER HER NAME!"
"I know her name. Pray with her."

our conversation went on and I said to her "If there are people who are accusing you of not doing enough or simply give you the pat answer of "The Lord will never give you more than you can handle ... "

and the words started flying from her mouth- truth, hurt, fear, anger, frustration, weariness ...

"Katie, can I just pray with you?"

"LORD, where did that come from?"

"Pray with her. I told you I know her name."

And with a trembling voice she said, "Would you really?"

And His Words left my mouth in ways I know had nothing to do with me. I believe the Lord used that moment to soothe Katie.

And to teach me.
Remind me.

Thank You Father that I can still hear Your voice in the midst of the angry, loud voices that seem to be drowning You out in my circumstance.
Thank You for Your faithfulness in the midst of my storm.
Thank You for the gentle reminder of how blessed I am.
Thank You that You know Katie's name.
And you know mine too.