Last night Olivia had a basketball game in Ashland. I had this big idea that Mom and Nick could meet me, Tim, Todd, and Olivia after the game to eat at a restaurant in Ashland that is fairly new (at least we’ve never been there).
I was so excited when Nick agreed to take a bath and try this little outing. However, soon after sitting down in the restaurant booth, it was apparent that Nick’s back was hurting too much to enjoy the meal. So mom took Nick to the car and we decided to order theirs to go. Olivia and Todd became very quiet. I didn’t want the night ruined for them, because they were so excited about going out to eat. They had been singing along with Christmas music the whole way from Olivia’s game. Now we sat in silence.
Tim arrived a few minutes later after running to the library to check out a few books for Nick. Stress filled our table as we were all struggling with the reality of Nick’s condition. When the waitress came to take our order, I tried to say that I needed to order two of the dinners to go because my son was sick, but I was overcome with tears and couldn’t finish my sentences. I felt like I was in a bad dream. I got up and walked out of the restaurant with tears running down my face, and I remember thinking that people probably thought I had had a fight with my husband or something. When I regrouped and got back to the table, Olivia’s head was down and she was crying so hard. We tried to regroup, but there was so much tension at our table. I ended up asking the waitress to have Tim’s order placed in a “to go” bag too, so he could go on home with Nick and mom. Then Olivia cried again.
Thankfully, God led two couples from our town to eat at the same restaurant, and they walked over to say, “Hi.” Little did they know that they were walking up on an emotional mess. One of the women sat down by Olivia and started rubbing her back (Olivia’s head was down on the table in her arms) and I leaned over on the other woman and just lost it right there in the booth. I couldn’t hold it in any longer.
Later, I found out that my son Todd who had been sitting there the entire time texting away on his cell phone had actually been sending out pleas to his friends that said, “Please pray for my little brother Nick. Please forward this to ten people.” One of my friends in Grayson received the text through her daughter and forwarded it to me. It was precious. On the way home, Todd shared what he had done and said he was getting texts from people who didn’t even know his number.
I guess I say all of this to remind myself that while I sometimes get frustrated at the amount of texting Todd seems to do every minute of the day, I am thankful that he is able to use his area of interest to draw people into prayer when needed.
And I believe that there are hundreds of other teens out there who are just like Todd.
Using what they have to do what they can in a world where we are all struggling to survive!
Thankful for Todd’s Cell Phone and His Heart,
(by the way this is the same child who caused my outburst of anger in the van that I wrote about a month or so ago)
PLEASE KEEP PRAYING FOR OUR PRECIOUS NICK….PLEASE FORWARD THIS BLOG TO TEN PEOPLE (just wanting to be more like my son today) 🙂
In December of 2007 as our youngest son, Nick, was fighting brain cancer, I began to blog. Writing provided a way for me to release all of my questions, fears, and doubts. It also allowed me to share the ups and downs of Nick's journey with people who were praying for him all over the world. When Nick went Home in November of 2008, my blog became my way of searching for God in the midst of my deep heartache. My heart was broken and grief brought to the surface every emotion imaginable. Being able to release those emotions through my writing brought a sense of purpose to my pain. Having already walked the road of grief in 1992 when we lost our daughter to SIDS, I knew I needed a way to keep from falling into a pit of depression and despair. I had walked close to the edge of a bottomless pit when we lost our daughter,and I knew I couldn't let myself get that close to the edge again. This blog has been and continues to be my tiny corner of the world where I can share My Heart as I journey through God's Word.......thus the name........ My Heart His Words. Thank you for taking time to share life with me. If we do not meet while here on earth, I look forward to hearing all about your life when we reach our final destiny.........Heaven! Email me anytime at 
I’m praying…
Sheryl
You all are a gift from God
How very precious of Todd. That was just so giving. Teens and males are not of the most emotional or sensitive type and this just warms my heart. It’s also awesome of how many people were praying and forwarding the message.
God is definitely surrounding you.
Much love and prayers,
Paula
I found your blog from a Proverbs 31 message/blog. God used it to finally melt my stubborn and selfish heart. I’ve been in an emotional rut for a few weeks, mostly over silly things that don’t really matter.
I admire your strength, courage, and unbelievable faith. Thank you and know that I will be praying.
I’m praying for you, Nick and all your family, I cried while I was reading this, but isn’t it great that we have a Lord you cares, understands and is faithful and is always there whether we are happy or sad, while i was reading how Todd was texting it reminds me that in whatever circumstance we are in God will make away”
God Bless
Mary
Hang in there Tammy!! Prayers never stop, texts keep coming and everyone keeps on loving…….Nick is a blessed young man and so is your family.
It reminds me of the saying….”God never gives you more than you can handle” I believe that was Gods way of letting Todd handle the situation in his own way. WAY TO GO TODD!!!
xoxo Charlotte
Tammy-some of the texts were to kids playing indoor soccer at the Y. As soon as the game was over they all joined in prayer. Makes you proud of those teens we want to strangle sometimes!
Believing~~Hoping~~Praying
I will be praying for your sweet son, Nick and your precious son with the heart to move others to prayer.