A Heavy Heart

Hannah #31 and Shaniah #50

There are so many times as a Mom that I just want to tuck my children away and shield them from the bricks that life hurls at them. Yet - I know that it is through these times that they grow stronger as people but also in their faith...

Today was one of those days. A young girl, 13 to be exact, was killed in a car accident today. Her name was Shaniah Farmer - she played on Hannah's volleyball and basketball team, was beautiful and fun loving. My mama heart wants to just take away the pain and hurt that my sweet Hannah is going through BUT I am so thankful to see the fruit of her faith play out even in the midst of tragedy.

After school, I took Hannah to get ice cream and just give her a chance to talk. She talked about how they found out, how she and her friends cried for over an hour - then she shared about how 7 of her friends got together and PRAYED as a group. She went on to tell me how she had prayed the prayer of sorrow most of the afternoon - this was a lesson Joel taught at our recent youth retreat. ALL of this happened before Joel or I ever saw her this afternoon - what a testimony to her faith!

Although, yes I wish that I could shield her from these types of things - I am SO thankful that God is using her at a young age to share her faith in a time of tragedy. I know that the journey of grief will be long for not only the students but also for Shaniah's family. Please pray for the Farmer family as they walk this journey. Pray for the students and teachers at Bayfield Middle School as they grieve...