“Do you not think that a great deal of what we call faith is not worth the name? It is too flimsy to be called by so strong a word. Faith is the steel of the soul” (Amy Carmichael, Edges of His Ways)

“Being a mother means that your heart is no longer yours; it wanders wherever your children do.”

Last Thursday and Friday, Rob and I took Brooke to Early Orientation at Liberty University, her soon to be home-away-from-home. From the moment we arrived on campus, I knew Brooke was in the right place. The perfect place. Seeing her navigate through the orientation process with ease. . . making sure all her affairs were in order. . . housing. . . ID card. . . schedule. . . dining plan. . . made me pause and reflect on how far she has come. As a child, Brooke was severely shy. Quiet. A constant supply of “knee hugs” – always right there by my side. Afraid of dogs. Afraid of clowns. The shadow of her twin brother. Physically challenged by allergies, alopecia, eczema, sleep apnea, learning disabilities. Her childhood was an endless journey of praying through scripture. The Lord is Brooke’s shepherd. She shall not want (Psalm 23). Brooke will thrive like a green leaf (Proverbs 11:28). Every hair on Brooke’ head is numbered (Matthew 10:30). And, so many more.

Midday, we sat down with our friends, The Fletcher’s, to a beautiful luncheon, hosted by Dr. Jerry Falwell, Jr. Due to his laryngitis, he couldn’t address us, so he called upon Dr. Elmer Towns, co-founder of Liberty University, to speak on his behalf. His words were short and simple. Challenging. Fun. About twenty minutes later, he was moving through the crowded luncheon tables, when he came up behind Brooke’s chair, laid his hand on her head and began to pray for healing.

“Healing, Lord. Heal her mind. Fill this brain,” he prayed.

Somewhat joking, I think, he had no idea what he had just done. My mouthed dropped. Brooke’s eyes widened. He looked at me. I looked at him. “You have no idea,” I said. “Brooke has dyslexia. We’ll take that prayer.” He then shook all of our hands and introduced himself to Brooke and Kristen (Brooke’s close high school friend and roomie to be). He asked them several questions and found out they would be rooming together. A few short moments later, he moved on to the next table. A few minutes later, he returned to joke around, once again. He looked at Kristen, with a big grin on his face, and said, “Watch out. She snores bad.” Well, my mouthed dropped wide open. The entire table erupted in laughter, knowing Brooke’s long history of surgery, etc. to deal with her sleep apnea and snoring.

“Wow, Dr. Towns, you really have no idea. Brooke had major surgery in March to deal with her severe sleep apnea and snoring,” I smiled. “She used to snore terribly. Not anymore!” He wasn’t quite sure what to do. A simple joke really was a word of knowledge. He was moving in the Spirit and didn’t even know it! He leaned down and said, “Well, I wasn’t meaning to deliver a word of knowledge. . .” He told Brooke to make sure she takes his New Testament Survey class. I believe she will.

All in all, I share this story as encouragement. This might have seemed like nothing. Happenchance. A freakish moment of circumstance. No, I took it as God’s little kiss to me. I have Brooke right where she needs to be. Rest in that. You can let her go. She is going to be just fine. I have my eye on her. God knew that I needed a little extra dose of love. I have always felt a need to over protect Brooke. She’s been that little lamb who needed carrying. Well, not anymore. She has blossomed into a strong woman. A social butterfly. A close confidant. Friendly and loving. Well able to stand on her own two feet. And, I will be fine, as well. My heart will be wandering around Liberty University, beating strong with every step Brooke takes!