Last night I sent out a mass email to everyone on my contacts list who I thought would pray for our meeting today. Of course, I received many responses, both via email and in person, saying they would definitely be praying.
We met at the specified time and place, and one of the first things Hope's mother said to me was that this was an answer to prayer on her part. She had been praying for several months for help and relief. I got chills.
She has been suffering from some health issues I did not know about, and her mother, who apparently helps her out, has broken her foot. Hope's mother also does not like the fact that grandmother smokes a considerable amount around the children. I assued her that we are a non-smoking family, and asked about other concerns, of which there were none. She said she trusted that her children were in God's hands.
They are church-members, both parents having been raised in the church, but did not have a Vacation Bible School available to them at this time. I knew I could not face Miss Eileen without having invited them to ours. They welcomed the idea, and I knew I needed to find someone to help with transportation while I'm gone. Wonderful Kathi graciously stepped in for me. God is so good!
Hope's mother noticed my bracelets and commented on them. I told her what each one was for, and showed her my prayer box bracelet. She was very touched when I told her Hope's name was on a small piece of paper inside it.
We spent an hour just chatting and getting to know each other, amazed at how God brought us together. I can already tell that I will be richly blessed by helping this family out.
Friday, June 19, 2009
Wednesday, June 17, 2009
A Story of Hope: Wed. June 17
Last night at Share Group, my heart was really being pulled on - back to the discomfort I had a month ago.
I decided I would try again in the morning to make a connection with Hope's family. I woke up in a great mood, still with my heart being pulled on tremendously, and prayed for His will to be done today, whether I would have an answer, or more waiting.
I received a phone call about piano lessons at 11:30, and knew at that time that I needed to get up and get moving because I wanted to visit Hope before piano lessons.
On Monday, I doubted whether or not I was to go down that day. I even struggled with whether or not I should take the kids. Today, there was no question - I knew I was going down, and I knew I was taking the kids. As we parked, Morgan asked if they should stay in the car. I even knew at that time that they were along for a reason, so they went up to the door with me.
I knocked, and a little boy on the other side yelled, "Who is it?" I answered, "Mrs. K. from {school}." When he didn't hear me, I repeated, "Mrs. K. from {school}." An excited voice on the other side said, "It's Mrs. K. from {school}!" The little boy opened the door a crack and said, "Just a minute," then closed it again. It took what seemed like a long time, but was probably only about two minutes, and several more "just a minutes" and "be right theres," and Hope's step-dad finally came out. He wanted to talk to me on the step, saying that a couple of them were sick, and he was cleaning up messes inside. I told him that was fine, and introduced him to Morgan and Aidan, then gave him Hope's jacket and the belt I had for her. Then I told him about the strong feeling that I had that there might be a need for babysitting. His answer was, "Really?" He had such a relieved look on his face, it blew me away. Morgan was even touched, as she let out an excited giggle. He went on to say that he would be starting a new job next week, and that his wife was working on her GED at night. I stressed that there would be no charge, I wasn't looking for money, just to help out, and that it had nothing to do with school - this was personal. He expressed appreciation to me for taking such an interest in his kids, that no other teacher had ever done that before, and said he would talk to his wife about it.
I fumbled around in my purse for a piece of paper to write my phone number on. I finally found a sheet I had gotten at church yesterday and tore a piece off. As I was writing my phone number, I asked if he needed help taking care of the healthy ones today. He refused, saying that he was taking the sick ones to the doctor and the others out to play.
Before leaving, I asked if I could see Hope, so he went in to get her. I heard him tell her a special visitor was here just to see her. When she opened the door, she excitedly said, "It's my teacher!" When she came out, I gave her a hug and told her how much I missed her. After a little more smalltalk, I hugged her again and told her I hoped I would see her again next week. As we left, I told her step-dad not to hesitate to call me if they needed any help.
We prayed together as a family in the car, thanking God that the connection had finally been made, and the seed was planted. I left the complex happy, but a little nervous that I didn't yet have an answer. I asked Morgan what she thought of what just happened, and we talked about how it went better and more quickly than she had expected. I told her it was probably because we weren't invited inside, but that was OK because they didn't know we were coming. She mentioned she thought I sounded a little "church-y" (he had asked me during the course of the conversation if I went to church, and which church, and said that they went to one in Troy). After some thought, I asked Morgan if I sounded too "church-y," because I didn't want to scare them off. After more thought, I decided out loud so the kids could hear - "I didn't sound too church-y at all - I asked God for the right words, and what I said is what He wanted me to say." Immediately, my phone rang. I was so excited to answer it that I fumbled around, having trouble getting it out of my purse! I was afraid I would miss the call, but I answered it just in time. It was Hope's step-dad, apologizing because my visit took him by surprise, and wanting to accept my offer. I pulled over because I knew I would not be able to concentrate on driving - the "big thing" was happening! We decided to meet tomorrow afternoon to work out the details.
As I closed my phone, I just could not hold back my tears of joy. I clenched my fists, bowed my head, and sobbed as I said, "Yes! Yes!" Of course then I had to answer Aidan, who was concerned that I was crying! Since I wasn't able to talk yet, Morgan explained to him that they were tears of happiness, and I nodded.
Morgan asked if she could call Miss Eileen, and I first said, "We'll be there this afternoon." Then I changed my mind right away and said, "Sure, go ahead and call her."
After she gave Eileen the good news, Morgan said, "I think we have the perfect song (on my iPod) to play right now." She took my iPod and put on "Good Morning" by Phil Joel: "It's a good, good, good, good, good, good morning ... 'Cause you're a good, good, good, good, good, good God!" It was 10:53 am, and He is a GREAT God!
Tonight I emailed everyone in my address book that I thought might pray for this family, asking for the details to be placed in God's hands tomorrow.
I decided I would try again in the morning to make a connection with Hope's family. I woke up in a great mood, still with my heart being pulled on tremendously, and prayed for His will to be done today, whether I would have an answer, or more waiting.
I received a phone call about piano lessons at 11:30, and knew at that time that I needed to get up and get moving because I wanted to visit Hope before piano lessons.
On Monday, I doubted whether or not I was to go down that day. I even struggled with whether or not I should take the kids. Today, there was no question - I knew I was going down, and I knew I was taking the kids. As we parked, Morgan asked if they should stay in the car. I even knew at that time that they were along for a reason, so they went up to the door with me.
I knocked, and a little boy on the other side yelled, "Who is it?" I answered, "Mrs. K. from {school}." When he didn't hear me, I repeated, "Mrs. K. from {school}." An excited voice on the other side said, "It's Mrs. K. from {school}!" The little boy opened the door a crack and said, "Just a minute," then closed it again. It took what seemed like a long time, but was probably only about two minutes, and several more "just a minutes" and "be right theres," and Hope's step-dad finally came out. He wanted to talk to me on the step, saying that a couple of them were sick, and he was cleaning up messes inside. I told him that was fine, and introduced him to Morgan and Aidan, then gave him Hope's jacket and the belt I had for her. Then I told him about the strong feeling that I had that there might be a need for babysitting. His answer was, "Really?" He had such a relieved look on his face, it blew me away. Morgan was even touched, as she let out an excited giggle. He went on to say that he would be starting a new job next week, and that his wife was working on her GED at night. I stressed that there would be no charge, I wasn't looking for money, just to help out, and that it had nothing to do with school - this was personal. He expressed appreciation to me for taking such an interest in his kids, that no other teacher had ever done that before, and said he would talk to his wife about it.
I fumbled around in my purse for a piece of paper to write my phone number on. I finally found a sheet I had gotten at church yesterday and tore a piece off. As I was writing my phone number, I asked if he needed help taking care of the healthy ones today. He refused, saying that he was taking the sick ones to the doctor and the others out to play.
Before leaving, I asked if I could see Hope, so he went in to get her. I heard him tell her a special visitor was here just to see her. When she opened the door, she excitedly said, "It's my teacher!" When she came out, I gave her a hug and told her how much I missed her. After a little more smalltalk, I hugged her again and told her I hoped I would see her again next week. As we left, I told her step-dad not to hesitate to call me if they needed any help.
We prayed together as a family in the car, thanking God that the connection had finally been made, and the seed was planted. I left the complex happy, but a little nervous that I didn't yet have an answer. I asked Morgan what she thought of what just happened, and we talked about how it went better and more quickly than she had expected. I told her it was probably because we weren't invited inside, but that was OK because they didn't know we were coming. She mentioned she thought I sounded a little "church-y" (he had asked me during the course of the conversation if I went to church, and which church, and said that they went to one in Troy). After some thought, I asked Morgan if I sounded too "church-y," because I didn't want to scare them off. After more thought, I decided out loud so the kids could hear - "I didn't sound too church-y at all - I asked God for the right words, and what I said is what He wanted me to say." Immediately, my phone rang. I was so excited to answer it that I fumbled around, having trouble getting it out of my purse! I was afraid I would miss the call, but I answered it just in time. It was Hope's step-dad, apologizing because my visit took him by surprise, and wanting to accept my offer. I pulled over because I knew I would not be able to concentrate on driving - the "big thing" was happening! We decided to meet tomorrow afternoon to work out the details.
As I closed my phone, I just could not hold back my tears of joy. I clenched my fists, bowed my head, and sobbed as I said, "Yes! Yes!" Of course then I had to answer Aidan, who was concerned that I was crying! Since I wasn't able to talk yet, Morgan explained to him that they were tears of happiness, and I nodded.
Morgan asked if she could call Miss Eileen, and I first said, "We'll be there this afternoon." Then I changed my mind right away and said, "Sure, go ahead and call her."
After she gave Eileen the good news, Morgan said, "I think we have the perfect song (on my iPod) to play right now." She took my iPod and put on "Good Morning" by Phil Joel: "It's a good, good, good, good, good, good morning ... 'Cause you're a good, good, good, good, good, good God!" It was 10:53 am, and He is a GREAT God!
Tonight I emailed everyone in my address book that I thought might pray for this family, asking for the details to be placed in God's hands tomorrow.
A Story of Hope: Mon. June 15
I am now wondering if God was making me wait until after the Emmaus Walk to begin His work with Hope. One of the pilgrims I met was a former drug addict, who was abused by her father, and began living on the streets at the age of 15. I suddenly had a thought while mopping the floor on Sunday - did God want to show me what could happen to Hope if I didn't follow through with this, or if I took it too lightly? So I decided to go down to Piqua today, since Hope's mom didn't call back. I had the address in my head, right down to the apartment number - "D". When I got there (praying all the way down for strength and the right words), the complex had several buildings, each with an apartment "D". I looked for clues, but found nothing that would tell me which apartment "D" was hers. I drove the parking lot twice, hoping maybe she or one of her parents would come outside, but it didn't happen. I was pulling out of the complex parking lot when I saw the mailboxes. I decided to see if the mailboxes might have names on them, so I turned around and came back - no such luck. Something inside told me to keep trying - to exhaust every option, so I drove to my school, hoping someone would be there to let me in so I could look up her address on the computer, but nobody was there. Still not wanting to give up, I drove to Mary Jo's to get the key. Her car was in the driveway, but the key was not where she normally leaves it for us to use, and she didn't answer the door. Now there was nothing else I could think of to do since I did not have my iPod with me, so I went home to look it up there. Her address on the computer was listed as apartment "5". Knowing that each building has a number and each apartment a letter, I surmised it must be "5D". So I will make another trip down, this time armed with what I hope is her complete address.
Some new points I gained from this weekend's Emmaus Walk:
* Sanctifying Grace is RIPE: Restoring, Imparting, Perfecting, and Equipping.
* I am a Christian leader. This was a major realization for me.
* Clarification of His plans for me can take time. I am experiencing this right now.
* A Christian family has a huge impact on a child. Exactly why I want to involve Hope in our lives!
* He wants every last person on the earth to know Him. This is the mission of every Christian - to spread His word. (Matt. 28:19 "The Great Commission")
* How will they hear, without someone to proclaim God's word? My life is a spiritual story to others.
* Spiritual leaders are there for us. They are attentive to our needs and help us stay centered.
* I am vital to His plan. I have a specific purpose in the Body of Christ.
* God's commitment to us
* We cannot do His work alone - it must be lived out in a community, using each others' gifts of ministry.
* God is using my gifts and experiences to affect the lives of others, even when I don't realize it!
Today I realized this physical feeling of my heart wanting to jump out of my chest really feels like God is pulling it - wow, He is applying physical force to convince me to do His work - how cool!
Some new points I gained from this weekend's Emmaus Walk:
* Sanctifying Grace is RIPE: Restoring, Imparting, Perfecting, and Equipping.
- God's grace restores our spiritual foundation.
- New life, new light, new strength, and a new heart are imparted upon us.
- We are being perfected in the image of God and the likeness of Jesus Christ.
- We are equipped to be the Hands and Feet of Christ in this world. The Holy Spirit equips every person for gifts of ministry, and every gift is needed for His mission.
* I am a Christian leader. This was a major realization for me.
* Clarification of His plans for me can take time. I am experiencing this right now.
* A Christian family has a huge impact on a child. Exactly why I want to involve Hope in our lives!
* He wants every last person on the earth to know Him. This is the mission of every Christian - to spread His word. (Matt. 28:19 "The Great Commission")
* How will they hear, without someone to proclaim God's word? My life is a spiritual story to others.
* Spiritual leaders are there for us. They are attentive to our needs and help us stay centered.
* I am vital to His plan. I have a specific purpose in the Body of Christ.
* God's commitment to us
* We cannot do His work alone - it must be lived out in a community, using each others' gifts of ministry.
* God is using my gifts and experiences to affect the lives of others, even when I don't realize it!
Today I realized this physical feeling of my heart wanting to jump out of my chest really feels like God is pulling it - wow, He is applying physical force to convince me to do His work - how cool!
A Story of Hope: Mon. June 8
I called Hope's mother at 6:45 last night, and reached her voicemail. I left a message, saying that I have her jacket and would like to know when I can get it to her. I planned to set up a time to drop it off, and then use that time to propose my offer.
I had planned to bring the kids camping with Dad at Mohican State Park these next three days. This was the first event that was to keep me from caring for Hope. I wondered the whole weekend if I should be going or not.
But there was no response, no return phone call from Hope's mom, so I decided to go ahead with the trip. We left after Morgan's softball game. Before we even reached Port Jefferson, we had a close call. I was watching a goose in a small field near the side of the road. When I looked back at the road, all of a sudden there was a whole family of geese crossing the road! I had to stop pretty quickly, thinking I was probably going to hit them. Luckily I didn't.
Later, as we were driving through Prospect, two things occurred at once. The kids were watching a movie on the laptop, with the sound plugged into the aux. jack so it would play through the car speakers. All of a sudden (it has never happened before!), the car switched from playing the movie sound to playing the local Christian radio station we had been listening to before the movie! Morgan said, "What happened?" and I told her I didn't think I touched it. But I switched it back. After a few seconds, it switched by itself again! I switched it back. This happened several more times, each one more quickly than the previous, until I finally decided I was supposed to hear something coming up. At the same time this radio thing was happening, I also began hearing one of the straps of the bike rack flapping around, and felt the need to check that the bikes were secure. When I pulled over, sure enough, one of the bikes' straps had come loose. I fixed it, and got back in the car. It was at this time that I decided to leave the radio on, and Aidan got out headphones so he could finish watching the movie.
A few minutes down the road, the song "God of This City" came on - "Greater things have yet to come, and greater things are still to be done here." Immediately after I realized this was the song I was to hear, I prayed to the Lord, telling Him that if needed, I would leave the campground immediately, if she would just call. I said it over and over several times. Again, a few minutes later, another song came on, which I knew was just for me - "Here I am, Lord send me." Wow! At this point, my heart was feeling very large again!
I had planned to bring the kids camping with Dad at Mohican State Park these next three days. This was the first event that was to keep me from caring for Hope. I wondered the whole weekend if I should be going or not.
But there was no response, no return phone call from Hope's mom, so I decided to go ahead with the trip. We left after Morgan's softball game. Before we even reached Port Jefferson, we had a close call. I was watching a goose in a small field near the side of the road. When I looked back at the road, all of a sudden there was a whole family of geese crossing the road! I had to stop pretty quickly, thinking I was probably going to hit them. Luckily I didn't.
Later, as we were driving through Prospect, two things occurred at once. The kids were watching a movie on the laptop, with the sound plugged into the aux. jack so it would play through the car speakers. All of a sudden (it has never happened before!), the car switched from playing the movie sound to playing the local Christian radio station we had been listening to before the movie! Morgan said, "What happened?" and I told her I didn't think I touched it. But I switched it back. After a few seconds, it switched by itself again! I switched it back. This happened several more times, each one more quickly than the previous, until I finally decided I was supposed to hear something coming up. At the same time this radio thing was happening, I also began hearing one of the straps of the bike rack flapping around, and felt the need to check that the bikes were secure. When I pulled over, sure enough, one of the bikes' straps had come loose. I fixed it, and got back in the car. It was at this time that I decided to leave the radio on, and Aidan got out headphones so he could finish watching the movie.
A few minutes down the road, the song "God of This City" came on - "Greater things have yet to come, and greater things are still to be done here." Immediately after I realized this was the song I was to hear, I prayed to the Lord, telling Him that if needed, I would leave the campground immediately, if she would just call. I said it over and over several times. Again, a few minutes later, another song came on, which I knew was just for me - "Here I am, Lord send me." Wow! At this point, my heart was feeling very large again!
A Story of Hope: Sun. June 7
I thought about Hope all week. But Lord, how can I make this offer? I am going on a family camping trip on Monday, coming home on Wednesday, beginning the Emmaus Walk on Thursday, returning Sunday, and leaving for Mexico the following Friday for almost a week. How can I offer to care for this child, and then tell her I'll be gone so much? Not to mention the fact that I am scared to death to make "blind" phone calls to people I don't know very well.
Yesterday was our final Emmaus team meeting before the Walk. Lori told a story during chapel devotions about a little 5-year-old girl whose parents did not know anyone and did not go to church. Her neighbor came to offer to take her to Sunday School one morning, and after a while reached her parents, too. The neighbor was a Sunday School Teacher as well as the Superintendant, and the little girl who was lead to Jesus by this wonderful lady was Lori. I couldn't help but think of Hope in place of the little girl in this story, and myself as the teacher.
After devotions, we continued with the meeting. Melissa previewed her talk today on the "Body of Christ." Some of the notes I took today include:
* Clarification may come only after the work/journey has begun.
* A Work of Heart (a book title)
* Action will come when people of all colors work together.
* Stay at the Lord's table to be a part of the healing love. Don't leave when things get bad (Jesus didn't leave the Last Supper when doubted).
* Romans 12:3-8
* Matthew 28:19
* Saying yes when all logic says no.
* Matthew 25:40 - Whatever you did to the least of these, you did to me.
* Share with spiritual leaders at your church.
After taking these notes, as Melissa was finishing up, I put stars next to four of the ones I could see He was telling me to specifically pay attention to: 1) God is using your gifts and experiences to affect others' lives; 2) Live in relationship to each other, modelling our relationship to Him; 3) Say yes when all logic says no; and 4) Share with your spiritual leaders in church.
1) God is using your gifts and experiences to affect others' lives. Pretty obvious - I am already a trusted adult to Hope, and hopefully also to her parents. I have experience and gifts in loving children, and I have good support to back me up, which I will speak more of in a little bit.
2) Live in relationship to each other, modelling our relationship to Him. The only way I can be a model to this family is to become a part of their daily lives, and to make them a part of mine. And I need to pray for Hope and her family. As well as with them, hopefully.
3) Say yes when all logic says no, and 4) Share with your spiritual leaders. This one was huge for me, then became absolutely immense. First of all, I put off all week calling because "logic" said "don't offer to provide care, and then bail on them," since I will not be available much of the next three weeks. But when I heard to say yes anyway and talk to my spiritual leader about it, I just had to follow through (besides, at lunchtime, just after Melissa's talk, my heart began to be pulled out of my chest again!). Enter one of the most respected friends of my life - "Miss Eileen." She had to leave our Emmaus meeting early for a family function, but I asked her if we could meet after she got back. She said she would call on her way home. It turned out that they returned late at night, too late to call, so we met on Sunday after church. I told her all about this precious little girl, the background issues we could be getting involved with, and my trepidations about my schedule. Her immediate response was with suggestions for help during these times - herself, the girls, and another good friend to begin with. She said, "We're doing this." Obviously, He was whacking me with a 2x4 this weekend, telling me what I needed to do!
I went home, and hopped on the computer to continue looking up stuff for school next year, which is an enjoyable pastime for me. But this time, I couldn't concentrate. And to top if off, Aidan turned on the TV. I decided I needed to go somewhere quiet to journal, so I drove to McDonald's for a drink first (we were out of pop at home). During the drive, He helped me realize something that had transpired during the school year to which I was oblivious at the time. A concerning issue was absent during the time when the family's truck was broken down and one parent was living with a grandparent (I don't know if Hope was with this parent or with the one still at home at the time). How could I have missed that?
I brought my drink home and pulled out my journal. As I started writing about Melissa's talk, I got out my notes. Checking through them, I now realized that every note I wrote down applied to this situation!
5) Clarification may come only after the work or journey has begun. I really don't know what is to come of this relationship, and won't until I am involved with this family. I only know that He will clarify this for me at the right time.
6) A Work of Heart. This was the name of a book Melissa mentioned, which I will read. But I can already tell this journey, this relationship, is definitely going to be a work of heart!
7) Action will come when people of all colors work together. At first I thought, "I really don't know any people of color (skin-wise) who would be involved, but OK, Lord." Now I realize that He does not mean skin-color, but people at different places in their spiritual walk. This journey has already touched myself (somewhere near the middle of my walk), and Miss Eileen (much further than I in her walk), and could potentially touch many just starting out on their own walk.
8) Stay at the table to be a part of His healing love - don't leave when things get bad. And they will get bad. But the healing and love and growth in the end will be worth it all.
9) Romans 12:3-8, Matthew 28:19. Each of us involved is here for a reason - to offer our individual spiritual gifts to perpetuate His mission for us and this precious little girl.
Heavenly Father, I do not have the words to begin this conversation with this family, but You do. I know that You will be with me during this visit, and that You will provide the words for me. I love that You will be with me in the face of rejection, as well as in the face of love. Please envelope little Hope, her family, and myself as we journey together. In Your Holy Name, Amen.
Yesterday was our final Emmaus team meeting before the Walk. Lori told a story during chapel devotions about a little 5-year-old girl whose parents did not know anyone and did not go to church. Her neighbor came to offer to take her to Sunday School one morning, and after a while reached her parents, too. The neighbor was a Sunday School Teacher as well as the Superintendant, and the little girl who was lead to Jesus by this wonderful lady was Lori. I couldn't help but think of Hope in place of the little girl in this story, and myself as the teacher.
After devotions, we continued with the meeting. Melissa previewed her talk today on the "Body of Christ." Some of the notes I took today include:
* Clarification may come only after the work/journey has begun.
* A Work of Heart (a book title)
* Action will come when people of all colors work together.
* Stay at the Lord's table to be a part of the healing love. Don't leave when things get bad (Jesus didn't leave the Last Supper when doubted).
* Romans 12:3-8
- 3For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the measure of faith God has given you. 4Just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, 5so in Christ we who are many form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. 6We have different gifts, according to the grace given us. If a man's gift is prophesying, let him use it in proportion to hisa]">[a]faith. 7If it is serving, let him serve; if it is teaching, let him teach; 8if it is encouraging, let him encourage; if it is contributing to the needs of others, let him give generously; if it is leadership, let him govern diligently; if it is showing mercy, let him do it cheerfully.
* Matthew 28:19
- 19Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them ina]">[a] the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,
* Saying yes when all logic says no.
* Matthew 25:40 - Whatever you did to the least of these, you did to me.
* Share with spiritual leaders at your church.
After taking these notes, as Melissa was finishing up, I put stars next to four of the ones I could see He was telling me to specifically pay attention to: 1) God is using your gifts and experiences to affect others' lives; 2) Live in relationship to each other, modelling our relationship to Him; 3) Say yes when all logic says no; and 4) Share with your spiritual leaders in church.
1) God is using your gifts and experiences to affect others' lives. Pretty obvious - I am already a trusted adult to Hope, and hopefully also to her parents. I have experience and gifts in loving children, and I have good support to back me up, which I will speak more of in a little bit.
2) Live in relationship to each other, modelling our relationship to Him. The only way I can be a model to this family is to become a part of their daily lives, and to make them a part of mine. And I need to pray for Hope and her family. As well as with them, hopefully.
3) Say yes when all logic says no, and 4) Share with your spiritual leaders. This one was huge for me, then became absolutely immense. First of all, I put off all week calling because "logic" said "don't offer to provide care, and then bail on them," since I will not be available much of the next three weeks. But when I heard to say yes anyway and talk to my spiritual leader about it, I just had to follow through (besides, at lunchtime, just after Melissa's talk, my heart began to be pulled out of my chest again!). Enter one of the most respected friends of my life - "Miss Eileen." She had to leave our Emmaus meeting early for a family function, but I asked her if we could meet after she got back. She said she would call on her way home. It turned out that they returned late at night, too late to call, so we met on Sunday after church. I told her all about this precious little girl, the background issues we could be getting involved with, and my trepidations about my schedule. Her immediate response was with suggestions for help during these times - herself, the girls, and another good friend to begin with. She said, "We're doing this." Obviously, He was whacking me with a 2x4 this weekend, telling me what I needed to do!
I went home, and hopped on the computer to continue looking up stuff for school next year, which is an enjoyable pastime for me. But this time, I couldn't concentrate. And to top if off, Aidan turned on the TV. I decided I needed to go somewhere quiet to journal, so I drove to McDonald's for a drink first (we were out of pop at home). During the drive, He helped me realize something that had transpired during the school year to which I was oblivious at the time. A concerning issue was absent during the time when the family's truck was broken down and one parent was living with a grandparent (I don't know if Hope was with this parent or with the one still at home at the time). How could I have missed that?
I brought my drink home and pulled out my journal. As I started writing about Melissa's talk, I got out my notes. Checking through them, I now realized that every note I wrote down applied to this situation!
5) Clarification may come only after the work or journey has begun. I really don't know what is to come of this relationship, and won't until I am involved with this family. I only know that He will clarify this for me at the right time.
6) A Work of Heart. This was the name of a book Melissa mentioned, which I will read. But I can already tell this journey, this relationship, is definitely going to be a work of heart!
7) Action will come when people of all colors work together. At first I thought, "I really don't know any people of color (skin-wise) who would be involved, but OK, Lord." Now I realize that He does not mean skin-color, but people at different places in their spiritual walk. This journey has already touched myself (somewhere near the middle of my walk), and Miss Eileen (much further than I in her walk), and could potentially touch many just starting out on their own walk.
8) Stay at the table to be a part of His healing love - don't leave when things get bad. And they will get bad. But the healing and love and growth in the end will be worth it all.
9) Romans 12:3-8, Matthew 28:19. Each of us involved is here for a reason - to offer our individual spiritual gifts to perpetuate His mission for us and this precious little girl.
Heavenly Father, I do not have the words to begin this conversation with this family, but You do. I know that You will be with me during this visit, and that You will provide the words for me. I love that You will be with me in the face of rejection, as well as in the face of love. Please envelope little Hope, her family, and myself as we journey together. In Your Holy Name, Amen.
A Story of Hope: Sun. May 31
Friday was the last day of school. I said goodbye to each of my students with a hug. After dismissal, I came back to the room and began putting things away for the summer. When I opened "Hope's " (not her real name) locker, I found she had left her jacket. She was the only student who left anything in my classroom that day. As I finished up entering gradecard information and came to my comments, I began to tear up thinking of Hope and one of my other very precious students, and what might happen to them in the future. The thought of the possibilities both warmed my heart and tore it up at the same time. I pray they will each receive the love and care that they so desperately need.
Today we held our next-to-last Emmaus team meeting. During our chapel devotions, it hit me like a ton of bricks. I needed to offer to help Hope's family by babysitting this summer. I really don't know why this was laid upon my heart, but I just knew somehow it was what I was supposed to do.
Today we held our next-to-last Emmaus team meeting. During our chapel devotions, it hit me like a ton of bricks. I needed to offer to help Hope's family by babysitting this summer. I really don't know why this was laid upon my heart, but I just knew somehow it was what I was supposed to do.
A Story of Hope: Sat. May 9
I'm going to attempt to start from what seems to be the beginning of this story.
Saturday (May 2nd), Eileen previewed her talk at the Emmaus team meeting. Notes from her talk:
* Grace = God's active love toward us. Our response to Grace involves both love and action.
* Sanctifying grace is the process of opening ourselves to the work of the Holy Spirit in and through us. It is divine energy transforming our heart and life.
* God has more love, more power, more peace, and more joy in store for us.
* We respond by full participation in the mission of Christ in the world.
Following the church's Children's Musical on Sunday, many of our friends met at Culver's for ice cream. We had a good time chatting when suddenly I felt like my heart was going to explode out of my chest. But I wasn't scared - in fact, I was filled with joy, even though I had no idea why. I only had this overwhelming feeling that something big was going to happen soon. This physical feeling of my heart being too big for my chest continued for several days. I began to think something might be physically wrong with me, and that might be the "big thing," Just as those thoughts came along, though, the physical feeling began to subside, and I figured I'd be fine. I still didn't know what the "big thing" was.
Saturday (May 2nd), Eileen previewed her talk at the Emmaus team meeting. Notes from her talk:
* Grace = God's active love toward us. Our response to Grace involves both love and action.
* Sanctifying grace is the process of opening ourselves to the work of the Holy Spirit in and through us. It is divine energy transforming our heart and life.
* God has more love, more power, more peace, and more joy in store for us.
* We respond by full participation in the mission of Christ in the world.
Following the church's Children's Musical on Sunday, many of our friends met at Culver's for ice cream. We had a good time chatting when suddenly I felt like my heart was going to explode out of my chest. But I wasn't scared - in fact, I was filled with joy, even though I had no idea why. I only had this overwhelming feeling that something big was going to happen soon. This physical feeling of my heart being too big for my chest continued for several days. I began to think something might be physically wrong with me, and that might be the "big thing," Just as those thoughts came along, though, the physical feeling began to subside, and I figured I'd be fine. I still didn't know what the "big thing" was.
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