For the Faith of a Mother

"Then Jesus answered and said unto her, 0 woman, great is thy faith: be it unto thee even as thou wilt. And her daughter was made whole from that very hour." —Matthew 15:28.

Not that God doesn't hear fathers, but there is just something special about a mother's faith and a mother's love.

Last July, I wrote about Bryce Saldi. He suffered a serious head injury and has been in the hospital and rehab since.

His sweet mama has been by his side virtually every day for 11 months. His dad, his brothers, his aunts, his girlfriend have been there as well. But Bre has been the rock.

First for two months in California where he was injured. Then an air ambulance ride to Dallas. And nine months of daily visits, back rubs, feeding, foot massages, therapy sessions. Sleepless nights. Stressful days. Her business put on hold.

She is a woman of faith. This ordeal has tested it.

I was in Los Angeles last summer when the accident happened and drove to Loma Linda several times to visit.

We had a long talk about life, faith, curveballs, hope, despair, losing a child, how to get thru the valley of the shadow of death.

This happy news from her blog today.

"A few days ago Bryce had a big surprise for me. He said his first word, "Mom". It was the loveliest word that I have ever heard. I went and hugged him and he repeated it over and over in my ear."

Our neighbors have a daughter who was born with a serious heart defect. But to look at her today, you would never know it.

She's a cheerleader. A model. A happy, beautiful child.

Her parents deal with the daily fear that normal life can turn bad in an instant.

Her mom has made sure that every day of Mackinlee's life has been a blessing and that not one is taken for granted.

Yesterday, she went in for her routine annual checkup.

Her mom Susie's post today.

"Dear God, yesterday you left me on pins and needles and sick to my stomach waiting on news that an echo tech implied might be bad only to later have the doctor deliver the most amazing news that he can't even explain except for Divine Intervention! Thank you for reminding me of your mercy and power and to never take anything for granted. Thank you for prayers answered!"

Thank you, moms. Bless you Bre and Susie.

Godspeed Bryce and Mackinlee.