by: Leslie Shillinglaw
A troubled mother and her two young daughters started attending Family Night in September. They had just come out of a domestic violence situation and their inner pain was evident before we even knew their story. The older daughter, T*, is six years old. I immediately asked my prayer team to pray for T because her behaviour and conversation was so concerning for such a young girl. T and her family would show up, off and on, to Family Night over the next few months. I have to admit I prayed hesitantly for them to see the disturbances that came with their presence. Still, they needed to know Jesus.
One week in the midst of a snowstorm, in which I expected no one to come, T and her family showed up to Family Night after being away for many weeks. The mom was clearly going through a rough time and was not in a good mood. I had sensed the Spirit prompting me to change my Bible teaching for the week. The lesson He gave me turned out to be perfect for T and her sister. They both prayed to receive Jesus that day. Meanwhile, their mother, in all her pain, was speaking to the other ladies at Family Night saying that she didn't need God in her life. Not knowing about the decision her kids had made, she told us she would not be coming back to Family Night.
Over the next few weeks, we did not see T and her family. The prayer team continued to pray for the family. The Spirit continually brought their names before one of our volunteers and she too interceded for the family.
Last week, they returned. The mother was happy because she had been approved for housing she needed (an answer to our prayers!). Better yet was the change in T. T's face was a beautiful picture of God's healing power. The look of inner pain was gone and replaced by a complete peace I had not seen from her before. She was engaged and much better behaved - a testament to the Spirit within her.
*Name changed to maintain privacy.