Thank You For Answered Prayers

Thank You for Answered Prayers
December, 2008


Experience teaches us what to do when the school is on a boil alert, when a family suffers a loss of a loved one, or when a foster child moves.  We know how to help a family who needs food and how to find a kid a winter coat.   On Friday,  I didn’t know what do when a parent shared her miracle with me.

We knew what to do last spring when a caring mom told us her husband left her for her best friend and took the family savings.  We connected her children with the counselor.  Helped her claim homelessness so her students could stay in our school.  New clothes and school supplies magically appeared.

The family had enough on there plate when the mom was told she had breast cancer.   Her first concern, as always, was her children.  She communicated with the school, conferenced with her children’s teachers, and assured her family that she would be okay.  She was reluctant to ask for or accept help.

We knew what to do.  We made plans to provide the funds for a wig.  We found the resources to provide a Thanksgiving dinner and Christmas gifts for her children.  We assured her that we would take care of her kids.

Her surgery was cancelled because of a lack of insurance.   We weren’t sure what to do. The prospects did not look promising.

The mom called. Her voice was filled with despair as she humbly asked what we could do to help her. Illness was limiting her ability to cover the basic needs of her children.    She swallowed her pride.  Her only concern being helping her “babies.”

A few days passed when Mrs. Lopez called to tell me that she now had insurance and a new doctor.  After running a new set of tests, the doctor reviewed the previous tests.  The doctor looked at Mrs. Lopez and said, “you do not have cancer.” Her cancer was no longer present. Her voice was filled with hope and joy as she shared her miracle with me. 

I could feel my body shake suddenly as she shared the news.  I didn’t know what to do.   There was no problem to solve.   There was nothing that needed fixed.  I wasn’t sure what to do as Mrs. Lopez shared her miracle.

Mrs. Lopez called a second time.  A truly humble lady wanted me to make sure that I thank everyone who helped her.   It was what she said next that shook me  She wanted me make sure I remembered to thank everyone for their prayers.   In her words,  “I know that God heard the prayers from Royal Manor, my family, friends, and my Church.  I know the prayers of all the people, that I didn’t even ask to pray for me were heard.”

I sometimes ask God “Why?” when children suffer.   Today,  I am reminded by a humble lady to thank God for the challenges we endure and the prayers he answers.   Hope does not disappoint.  I now know what to do when a parent shares a miracle with me. 

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Oxley's World

Dear Friends, I have joked for many years that I am going to write a book someday titled "The World According to Oxley." My brother laughs at the thought and my wife just shakes her head. I must agree that the thought of an ADD learning disabled knucklehead like me writing a book would make most of my former teachers fall over in amazement. This blog is dedicated to teachers in my life who saw beyond my ADD and learning disability to nurture me, inspire me, and challenge me, and also to the children who always teach me more than I will ever teach them. I share this blog with you and encourage you to be a contributor. Share this opportunity with your colleagues. Teaching is a challenging calling. It is important that we share the moments when we know we touched the heart and mind of a child. More importantly, it is essential that we share the moments that children make us smile, make us cry, and inspire us. The "World According to Oxley" is based on the simp...
Read more

Mother's Day

Mother’s Day Hallmark doesn’t sell a card suitable for my Mom. Simple poetic verses by American Greetings are inadequate. You simply can’t buy a card that eloquently says what my Dad knew best. My Dad knew that Mom was the reason that we had a good life. You can’t describe my Mom without mentioning my Dad. eHarmony.com would never had put my parents together, but later on this year if the creek doesn’t rise they will celebrate their 50 th wedding anniversary. What they have is a partnership that capitalizes on the uniqueness each of them brought to their marriage. I never spent one day in doubt that my parents loved each other. My Dad always put my mom first and expected my brother and I to follow suit. My Mom sacrificed. She went with out. In my 48 years, only two sofas and one recliner were in her living room. New things were just not important. She wore the same winter coat for years, but her kids always had a new jacket. My Mom wen...
Read more

A Craftsman

On Monday,  J. Michael Hayfield set his tools down.  He swept up the dust and chips that the collection system missed.   He smiled knowing he had completed his work with the art and science of a master craftsman.  J. Michael reached up and turned off the shop light for the last time.   Long before formal mentoring programs were established a mentor was earned.  A young person worked and earned the trust and loyalty of someone who was willing to teach them the ways of a master craftsman.  J. Michael Hayfield, assistant superintendent, decided I was worthy of being mentored. J. Michael and I share a lot in common.  We are working class kids who had to fight and prove ourselves along life’s path.  We both married woman who hated us when we first met and told us to date them we would need to change.  He saw in me the fire for wanting to get ahead and make a difference. J. Michael provided me with opportunities to lear...
Read more