The Heart Strings of Two Women

Every now and then a moment in time occurs that changes your life and your heart forever, this was one of those times!

Even though this moment happened years ago, it still pops back up in my memory from time to time, especially when I am seeing things happening around me that seem to be making no sense. That’s when I am reminded, God never sits idly by, He is always at work, and it always makes sense to Him. What may look to us as if heart’s are broken, lives are shattered, or plans have fallen apart, God’s eyes see not just in this moment, but with an eternal vantage point. He is concerned with the small and with the greater plans of all of our lives, down to every tiny detail, including that of our hearts.

That probably was the reason this event that occurred so many years ago was unlike any other, it penetrated my heart in a new way. When unexpectedly the teacher, in this case, Mom, became the student. For in that moment I gained a new depth of understanding and certainly an eye opening appreciation for one of God’s immeasurable gifts, that of communicating in ways other than words.

Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess,
for He who promised is faithful.
And let us consider how we may spur one another on
toward love and good deeds
Hebrews 10:23-24 (NIV)

Specifically it broadened my perspective to see God has no communication boundaries. What I saw that day was two women speak through the heart strings of understanding. It was God’s faithfulness that initiated that new language. For often times we don’t even have to speak to have an innate ability to see what is happening around us and convey that message to others. This is a gift from God. These are the times we get to witness the remarkable working of God’s unspoken faith driven communication and in this situation it was between Two Woman’s Hearts.

I was sitting on the bleachers, waiting for the tryouts to begin. My daughter had been working hard in preparation for her Jr. High Cheerleading try outs and now they were finally here. Expectations were high, we both were full of excitement. Our hearts strings and our voices were high pitched in anticipation as we jumped in the car and talked non-stop all the way to the school that evening.

Everything about the practices had gone great, everyone was excited. Much like the reason my husband and I had chosen to move our family to this little community, we loved the small schools and family values. But it wasn’t just the schools, it was the people. I quickly learned, soon after moving here, how unique this place really was, everyone worked together. Teachers, parents, kids, we were all on a first name basis and we all were intertwined in each other’s lives. So I knew all those girl’s up there in front of me trying out for their places on the Jr High cheerleading squad, as well as, their moms on the bleachers. We were all rooting for each other as they began announcing this years team. There was a camaraderie amongst these girls that went well past this moment in time.

That is one of the reasons hearing the announcement, “This concludes the list of our Jr. High Cheerleading Squad” drew a unified gasp. I had already sat there moment by moment, name by name and waited as my stomach began a tightening knot that exclaimed in silence, something was wrong.

Trying to act calm I listened, I watched, I wanted to get to her. My daughter, sitting there only a few benches in front of me, all alone, yet I could not get to her. I could not protect her from what was happening right in front of me. I prayed; HARD, “Give her strength and give her courage.”

The strings of my heart were breaking, but somehow I knew, this was her moment. God knew what He was doing, and God knew that she could handle it.

Now, all of a sudden, the rest of those sitting on the bleachers understood!

A loud awkward silence erupted in that auditorium.

The girls that made the team had all come forward when their names had been called, but now they didn’t move. They looked at Trisha still sitting on the bleachers, realizing the list was complete and she wasn’t up there. More silence!

It was then I was never more proud of the girl, woman, I saw jump into action. My daughter got up, from her position on the bleachers, and she went into action. She never missed a beat in smiling and going over to congratulate them. That seemed to give everyone else permission to move.

Only a few seconds had passed between the silence and the movement, but that WAS her mile-marker of integrity moment. I was so proud of her, because she kept the movement flowing. She did not flinch or waver in holding her head high, yet to me, her goal was obvious, she didn’t want to take away the joy from the others! They were her friends and she was putting them first, however I knew her heart was breaking as well. I kept praying…

Finally, when we were able to get to the car, when it was just the two of us, she let go. Then I could finally let her know, I was so sorry, but oh so proud. Even though she was hurting, never did she speak of blame or give excuses. Instead, she went from hurt to how she could have done better. I gave her space and some simple words that have been repeated down through the years, when a tough situation arose, “You did that well!” And she did, she really did! And as time has gone on we both have been grateful, that even when we don’t have words to speak God has been gracious to give us a gift of being able to communicate, with our hearts.

Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess,
for He who promised is faithful.
And let us consider how we may spur one another on
toward love and good deeds
Hebrews 10:23-24 (NIV)