The summer before Caleb started 4th grade I got a devastating phone call. His precious teacher, Miss Rosie, was leaving. She was calling to tell me that she would not be his teacher the following year. I was crushed. So was she. I got off the phone and bawled. Mostly because it felt so personal. She was one of our people. How could she leave us?
And that same story has happened again and again. With all of my children. And with me too. Teachers, coaches, therapists, friends… they come and they go. And it often feels personal. It often feels like they are trying to hurt us.
They are almost always not. .
Life has seasons. People have to do what is best for their life and their circumstances and their families. Sadly, a promotion or a move, that is a blessing to them, is often crushing to us.
But, God is in all of that. He is in every detail. When the good Lord allows a beautiful relationship in our life, or in the life of someone we love, we should enjoy it. We should be thankful that the Lord brought them alongside. And see it for the blessing that it is. Even if it is just for a season.
God has grown me so much. He uses blessings and trials. He uses his Word and other believers. He uses prayer. He uses it all.
I am now able to see those who are coming alongside as a blessing. I don’t worry so much about if or when they will go. I really just enjoy the stay.
So today, I just want to say thank you. To those who have chosen to come alongside. They do little things and they do big things. And it all means so much.
I am so thankful for our people. I hope that I am a “people” for other people. That way we are all just spreading the love back and forth and sideways. And hopefully, in the process, we are pointing this lost and broken world right to Christ.
This week I have felt extra thankful for our seasonal people. The people that are just coming alongside us for a time. And we all know it. But they are such a huge part of the Lord’s goodness to me.
I have to share two examples. And they are both Caleb-related. But that’s ok. As we all know, the Lord is constantly teaching me through Caleb. And through his great and consistent provision for that sweet boy.
Meet Leanne. This sweet girl has met a need. Again and again. With love and sacrifice and joy. I’m sure most of you have heard of Young Life. Well, there is an extra-special program for God’s extra special creations called Young Life Capernaum. Caleb loves “Life” so much. He always wants to go. And Leanne has made that possible again and again. She ALWAYS texts me a few days before a meeting with all the pertinent details. She makes sure that Caleb knows how much he is wanted there. She picks him up and brings him home. She sends photos and videos so that I can be a fly on the wall. This week when I got her text I immediately had a lump in my throat. Because of God’s provision. Because of Leanne’s love for Caleb and her willingness to get it done. When I simply could not.
Meet Coach Doucette. Caleb adores him. Words simply cannot express the great love that this unlikely duo have for each other. Coach Cet (as Caleb calls him) is a football coach at Farragut High School. He is big and tough and intimidating…. and obviously has a heart of gold. He comes to see Caleb in has classroom several times a day. And Caleb goes to see him in PE and often “helps” him with lunch duty. What a dynamic duo. When someone hurts Caleb, they have hurt Coach Cet. That is how protective he is of our sweet boy. I am so thankful for this man and that he sees how special Caleb is. Coach has reminded me that Caleb has always been loved and cared for and protected so big. God has always provided and He always will. That is obvious.
This week I have thought so much about all those who have come alongside us. I am so thankful for each and every one of them. I was reminded to look for opportunities to come alongside others. Even if it seems tiny. Even if it seems meaningless. It really never is.
That day. The phone call with Miss Rosie. I was at swim practice. A fellow swim mom saw me crying. We barely knew each other but she took the time to care. She shouldered the burden with me that day. And it made it all the more bearable. In the Lord’s goodness. And you know what, that sweet friend is still shouldering burdens with me. Turns out, she came alongside and stayed there.
Sidenote: I just HAD to share this. This is the moment just after Caleb’s name had been called to come on stage at “Life”….
Sunshine Soldier 