What else happened in the dining room

May 10
Happy Mother's Day

Last night, I told you about an interesting dream I had recently that took place in the dining room in the house you raised me in. You reminded me of something else that took place in that room on Hazel Avenue. You gave me my prayer start there. I was seven years old and bed-ridden due to rheumatic fever. Dad carried me downstairs in the morning and you and I said our prayers together at the window sill in the dining room. You pulled that white shade down and marked bible verses on the satiny-vinyl surface with your large, flowing handwriting. You even wrote my little poem on it, "never fear, for God is near."

Last night you reminded me of the time we were together at our home-made altar and you said to me, "Nancy, your brother Skip is in trouble. We must pray for him." I can still see the worry on your face. Later, we found out that while we were in Upper Darby praying, Skip was in Ocean City drowning. He and another teenage friend had got caught in an undertow by a jetty. The roiling water had knocked Skip's thick, coke-bottle glasses off and he told his friend, "Bill, save yourself, I can't see." Up on the jetty, a young man recently returned from Vietnam, knew what to do. He formed a human chain with everyone standing nearby who had been helplessy watching. They plucked my brother from the water and saved his life.

Last night you reminded me that as a little child, people used to like to tell me their troubles. You said that I was only five when the crotchedy lady next door, Mrs. Taddy, used to tell me her tales of woe. And that perhaps this quality had led you into the actions that resulted in some of those difficult issues I worked through in my adult years. I know how badly you felt about pouring the depth of your pain into a little child because you had no where else to go with it. I'm so grateful that we persevered through the time that it took for God to work us through to healing and forgiveness.

Last night, you and I and dad prayed together for our nation, for our family and for this land my family lives on. Something happened. Some kind of breakthrough took place. You shared insights, wisdom, and revelation. We felt the power of God. I sense a re-commissioning...a re-joining of hearts... a continuation of what God started in us when as a young child you prayed with me at a window sill in a dining room. Praying in agreement with someone with whom you have fifty years of relationship can be pretty powerful stuff through Jesus' name!

Today we step more fully into the purposes and plans that God has for us to walk out together! I thank you for the legacy of prayer that you've given me. What a blessing you are to everyone who knows you.

I love you, mom.
Nancy