And we are sure of this, that he will listen to us whenever we ask him for anything in line with his will. And if we really know he is listening when we talk to him and make our requests, then we can be sure that he will answer us.
1 John 5:14-15 (TLB)
I took this picture several hours after my daughter delivered a healthy baby boy. In the clouds, I saw an ear and it gave me assurance that God had heard our prayers.
My tears dripped into the dishwater as I stood over my sink. I fought intense anxiety building in my gut. “Lord, please deliver this baby and give my daughter peace,” I said.
Miles away, across many states, from early morning until late afternoon, my daughter had been suffering a difficult labor. But it didn’t matter how near or far, coronavirus had impeded a family gathering. While phone calls connected us, the cries of a mother-to-be pierced my heart.
My husband and I felt helpless. I experienced fatigue. But I knew my exhaustion didn’t exceed what my daughter endured. So I prayed. My family and friends prayed. In spite of many prayers, it appeared our intercessions had fallen on deaf ears. Where are you, God?
Finally the phone rang. My son-in-law relayed the good news. She did it. They had a son. We had a grandson. My son and daughter-in-law had a nephew. Their two children had a first cousin. I exhaled all my pent-up apprehension. Thank you, Lord.
After several days, my daughter-in-law called to share a God-moment with me. On the day of our daughter's delivery, our daughter-in-law had felt the need to go inside her closet, get on her knees, and pray. She quickly texted her two prayer warrior friends, asking them to pray as well. Together, though miles apart, they appealed to our Heavenly Father for the welfare of mother and baby.
Once the delivery had occurred and we all understood the time frame surrounding the birth of our grandson, we realized the mighty hand of God at work in our lives. When I had begun to cry and give up, my daughter-in-law had gotten on her knees in obedience. At that very moment miles away in a hospital, an unborn baby boy encountered distress, his mother completely drained. The doctors and nurses were deciding whether to perform a c-section or extract him by vacuum.
God had listened and heard our heart-felt prayers. A small body of Christ had obeyed the call to pray. A faithful God had answered. And a new mother embraced a new life. Thank you, Jesus.
We give thanks to our Heavenly Father for earthly fathers. But on this special day, we especially lift our praises to God for providing mothers. It’s a remarkable bond that connects mother and child.
Happy Mother’s Day to all mothers everywhere. Happy Mother’s Day to my dear daughter-in-law. And Happy First Mother’s Day to my darling daughter.
