A Mother’s love is Universal

There is a story burning in my heart.  It has been there for weeks and it continues until now.  It is a story of universal mother’s love.  It is a story about Women’s Missionary Union.  It is a story rising out of the rubble of Union University.

Almost from the beginning of the crisis Union University experienced during the tornado of February 5, 2008, we heard the words WMU. “Yeah Mom, I’m okay – the WMU is helping me.”

When we heard the news that a tornado had hit the small Baptist University where our son (as well as many other missionary kids) is enrolled, and we live eight thousand miles away, my heart cried out, “God, take care of my son!”   But God had already purposed in the hearts of women to help.  He put them in a place to stand in the gap and fill that eight thousand mile divide between my son and I.

Years ago, as a young missionary mother I was under the delusion that as my children grew older, life would get easier.  The truth of the matter is that as your children grow older your prayer life gets deeper.  Instead of trying to hold the reins yourself, you give them to God and plead for His protection over them.

We received the news of the disaster at Union almost immediately.  Our son’s dorm was hit.  He got out with the clothes on his back. 

That day, as we looked at scenes of devastation over the Internet we marveled that no lives were lost. --- Thank you Lord for Your protection.

The next day we heard again from our son, “Yeah Mom, I’m okay, the WMU is helping me get some clothes and stuff.”  He was staying in an apartment with a couple of other missionary kids.  I prayed a prayer of thanksgiving and wrote a note to Tennessee WMU thanking them for all their help.

A few days later I received a return email.  

“I was in Jackson on Friday with Carl and the MKs.  I spent some time with your son Nick at lunch and at Walmart!  It was so great to meet him.  He seems to be doing really well!  He like all the other Mks were so much more concerned with other students than himself but he did get a couple more outfits and some food for the group/family he is staying with!  I was able to pray with him and give him a couple of hugs!! I thought as a momma you would like to know that I hugged and loved on your son for you!"

This woman, whom I do not know, took the time to go to Jackson and find the mks and show love and concern.  She loved on my son, because I could not be there for him.  She STOOD IN THE GAP!  Tears streamed down my face as I sat at my computer reading.  My eyes overflow once again as I recount this to you.  These precious women, will they ever know the act of love they performed in my life?  Sure, I thanked them; but it goes way beyond, ”thank you”.  It runs right into, “God used you to increase my faith; to let me know that I should continue with the mission effort in Africa, because He was taking care of things at home.”

That one act of love meant more to this mother’s heart than anything else.

Thank you, Women’s Missionary Union.