Day Twelve: Groanings of Intercession

"For some reason, Auntie Kathy keeps coming to my mind when I pray," declares my girl as she snuggles closer to me on the couch. We've just concluded our family prayer with a big, Amen--Ashanti shouting the word with emphatic declaration. "I think it means I should pray for her," Molly continues. I agree, and so she bows her head and lifts up Auntie Kathy to the Lord for whatever reason she is in need. My daughter is learning how to listen to the Holy Spirit's voice and intercede for someone else.

I believe there is a difference between rattling off a list of people who are ill or in demand of something, and true, empathetic prayer for them. The dictionary definition for "intercession" is: an interposing or pleading on behalf of another person. The word pleading itself denotes intercession is more than just a mere request. Our greatest example of this type of prayer is when Jesus sent His Spirit after His ascension. The Holy Spirit aches for us and presents us to the Father. What love! What care for us! There's a whole lot of groaning going on in Romans 8:

We know that the whole creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time.  Not only so, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for our adoption to sonship, the redemption of our bodies.  For in this hope we were saved. But hope that is seen is no hope at all. Who hopes for what they already have?  But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently.  In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans.  And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for God’s people in accordance with the will of God.  What, then, shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?

Have you ever experienced gut-twisting pain for someone? To know that a Person of the Trinity groans for us is surely a comfort. He is aware of our weaknesses and intercedes for us. Just as Molly is tuning in to the possibility that God is sharing the burden of a soul with her, we can all listen acutely to where the need is in our world. Intercessory prayer is ongoing. It never gives up. It's spiritual warfare. It wakes you up at night. It involves acknowledging that Jesus is capable and in control. It involves resisting the enemy in order to be effective. It includes fighting for breakthroughs by praying fervently for God's will to come to fruition. I'm thankful that Someone is always going before the Father on my behalf in such a way--with groanings. With that in mind, how much more powerful can my prayers be for others?

sister love

Dearest Little One

 

Dearest Little One,

 

You are a gift we weren't expecting. We'd been in your life nearly since you were born but we didn't know then how God had it in His plan that you would live with us. This is our last full-time week with you and, when we settle into our routines without you, we will notice an empty chasm. Yes, we'll get more schoolwork accomplished. Yes, we'll savour the quiet. Yes, we'll jump up and run to where we want to go without a thought of naps or sippy cups or a stroller. But, we will pause when we make six snacks instead of seven. We'll glance at your empty little bed when the girls go to sleep. We'll talk in hushed tones after lunch and then realize you're not napping. We'll go to homeschool group, gym, dance classes and friends' homes without your raspy voice announcing, "We're here!"

 

We love to do your hair and put headbands on you like Mommy's.

 

Ashanti, you've grown so much these past few months. We celebrated you turning two and now you're more than two and a half! As often as we correct you, you call us Mommy and Daddy, simply because our kids do. You gained a large vocabulary here and your momma is proud. You learned to sleep through the night and stay in your own tiny bed. You use manners (most of the time) and no longer have half-hour-long screaming tantrums that we can't pull you out of. You are potty-trained. You know every one of our extended family members' and friends' names and consider them your own. Your momma loves this because she feels like they're hers too. You can fake sleeping like an award-winning actress, complete with heavy breathing. You sing your favourite songs like, "Jesus Loves Me", "Twinkle-Twinkle Little Star" and "Happy Birthday". You love the soundtrack to "Frozen" and can complete the lines in most of the songs. You can almost name the days of the week and can count to thirteen. Ashanti, we always brag about you to everyone. You are intelligent and have an excellent memory and seem to know where lost items are when one of us needs to find something (I wonder why :) Your momma is smart and strong and you definitely get those qualities from her. You have a new healthy caution for strangers when you used to scare us with your ability to walk off with anyone you didn't know. You love going for a drive, baths, cream cheese, pistachios, hamburgers, chocolate... well, just about every single type of food there is. You eat most of us under the table too!

 

Sweet girl, no one holds a candle to your darling disposition. You charm everyone you meet and people are consistently taken with your beautiful eyes and smile. You may turn without a moment's notice to a growling bear, but that's becoming less and less ;) You tattle on the kids because you kow all the rules and you like to be boss. Your favourite friends right now are Joella, Clara, Ava, Lily and Mayan. You speak of them often and know which one you're going to see as you notice landmarks on the streets. You're growing up. We've had the privilege of being witness to this and we're so grateful. 

 You love "Offie" as you call him, and want to do whatever he's doing.

 

You're a little afraid of the birdies still, but we'll fix that ;)

Okay, A LOT afraid. Here, you're covering your head and saying, "No birdies! No sit down!" You think they're going to land on your head.

 

Some phone pics of favourite moments...

 Weekly library trip with Mayan.

 Your crazy faces :)

 Playing police in Oliver's costume.

 Best buddy, Joella (who calls you, "Abanti").

 

 

 Sewing with Mama.

 In Mama's hot tub.

 I walked by and found you like this, casually brushing your teeth.

 "Painting" my urns with water. You loved it.

 Morning selfie with Auntie Heather.

 Visiting Uncle Terry at work.

 Getting sparkles with Ana at Joella's "Frozen" birthday party.

 Sneaking out of bed and realizing you're actually tired.

 Creating a snowman.

 Auntie loves you.

 Fun with Clara.

 Trying on boots in a store. You loved these!

 Schoolwork at Auntie Hilary's house.

 Ice cream with Mama and Papa at the beach for Papa's birthday.

 On a hike.

Uncle Terry and Oliver building your first bike!

 First tricycle! Don't quite have the hang of it yet :) 

Watching a movie with Emily (whom you call, "Sissy").

 

Little One, it's time for you to return to your momma but she has asked us to keep you on weekends and we have agreed. We are grateful for your precious life. You've added something to this home we couldn't have predicted. We love God's surprises! May the Lord bless your life and may you grow to be a godly girl and one day, a woman who hears His voice and follows Him.

As Quiet As A Dragonfly

We call her the "bag lady" because everywhere we go (even in the woods), she carries a purse or bag of some sort. Inside are her "quiet items" for which she doesn't explain or seem to care if anyone notices. She has a purpose for them but she may or may not use them on any given jaunt. I think it comforts her to have her "itty-bitties" with her, just in case.

 

I photographed my girl as she wrote something in her notebook up on top of that rock and I photographed a dragonfly silently alighting on a stalk. Molly turned twelve last month and her gentle, beautiful, quiet way reminds me of that tiny, winged creature.

 

 

Molly, we love you. You are ever capturing us with your intriguing, thoughtful manner. Yes, you can be boisterous and energetic like your siblings, but it's not the norm. You are growing up so lovely and we're proud of you. May this year be filled with amazing growth and may you always hear God's still, small voice in your own quietness.

When She Becomes Quiet

 

She disappeared for awhile and because she's our quiet girl, I can't say for sure how long she was gone. The schoolroom is her favourite place when she's alone with art supplies. Today, she beckoned to us to sit in the living room as a funny story, displayed through little puppets, unfolded before us.

 

Her siblings loved it.

Meg began recording her right away.

She flipped her mini puppet-board around and voila, it became nighttime. We laughed and told her she needs to perform it as part of her presentations at our upcoming homeschool gathering. We love it when Molly becomes quiet because fun things are borne of her solitude.

Emily's Storybook Birthday Party

She loves books and told me she can't put one down until she's finished it, which leads to late night readings. And so, it seemed appropriate that her birthday party would emphasize this love. Her guests arrived dressed as storybook characters and she, herself, as Red Riding Hood.

Her friend, Kyla, (and her mom) gave Emily a most special surprise--a cake and cupcakes designed perfectly for the theme.

That book is a Rise Krispie square!

just because my girl loves horses :)

 

They were so lovely, I didn't want the kids to eat them! 

 

 

Thanks, Gillian!

Oh, hello, Raggedy Ann. 

Laura Ingalls Wilder is excited about what Jasmine, of Aladdin, has given the birthday girl. 

 

She loves it. 

 

"Jasmine's" lovely outfit was straight from India (for real :)

In fact, she loved all her books (and a couple of movies and gift cards to a nearby bookstore). 

 

 

 

 

 

 A Rapunzel birthday card was an excellent choice!

 Her cousin, Eden, wrote her own book for Emily!

 It is all about the mischievous adventures of two little princesses. Hmmm... who could that be?

 Eden, or should I say, Cinderella, is proud of her work.

Our storybook characters were well-dressed. This one was made by her mom to suit the cover of the book she gave Emily. Perfect!

 Katniss (cake-giver, listens intently to the story read by Molly to the group of girls).

 Also in attendance, Kiki, Sully and an unnamed slave girl.

 

 

Emily, you are nearly nine years old (early party)! You've always wished you could fly but, you did, my little girl, you flew in time and became a young lady when I blinked. God bless you, sweet, helpful girl. Mommy and Daddy love you so much!