When the Phone Rings Early and Prayer is The Only Answer

The phone rang early Saturday morning,

and those kind-of calls rarely mean someone just wants to check in and say, “Hi.”

As I lay in bed listening to my friend on the other line,

my heart ached.

She shared about a situation that was affecting her entire family.

She shared about a living nightmare.

Tim was next to me, and he listened too.

His heart, like mine, was heavy with hers.

We love this friend so much,

and it was evident that her heart was feeling the weight of the world .

Words seem so empty in moments like this,

and I found myself struggling with what to say.

Honestly, I wanted to crawl through the phone and be in her kitchen.

I wanted to sit and look her in the eyes and say,

“I love you.”

But distance and an already-full schedule for the weekend kept her at phone’s length,

so I listened.

I talked a little and then, like I do so many times in moments like this,

I handed the phone to Tim so he could talk too.

And then I heard Tim say what I should have said long before,

“Can I pray right now? And I heard her answer softly, ‘Yes.'”

I closed my eyes as Tim prayed over the phone line,

and I wondered what  will happen with all the questions and all the fears dancing in the lives of this precious family we consider part of our own.

This morning, I want to say something to this dear friend that I know others need to hear too.

I want her to read this and know that NO MATTER WHAT HAPPENS God is in control.

I love Psalm 3:3

But You, O Lord, are a shield for me, my glory, and the lifter of my head.

I love that no matter how scary this world is and how uncertain tomorrow is,

GOD IS OUR SHIELD

GOD IS OUR GLORY

and

GOD IS THE LIFTER OF OUR HEAD.

I have learned in life that God never wastes even one of our tears.

He has a way of bringing good from the very worst circumstances,

and if we can literally “release” our doubts and fears into His hands and say,

“Lord, this makes no sense to me at all, but I’m trusting you for today,”

something inside of us changes.

Our heart is lighter.

Our walk is stronger.

Our head is truly lifted up when there’s every kind-of reason for it to be down.

I love you, my sweet friend (and all of your family) who has walked many, many chapters of life with our family.

YOU ARE NOT ALONE!!!!!!!!!

Tim and I are praying in confidence and with great hope.

We are waiting for more news.

I am praying this verse over you this morning.

I clung to it many of the days Nick was so sick,

and I still cling to it today.

Romans 15:13

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him,

so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.

Find reasons to celebrate today……………….

let God work on tomorrow and the next day.

Lean back in His arms.

Feel His peace.

Let Him be your shield, your glory, and the lifter of your head.

You are loved with an everlasting love.