16 Mar 2015, 08:32

Dear Anne,

I would be happy to add Bink to my prayer list. When I was going through that awful stage with [x], some of us in my women's group started a prayer thingy as other people were having challenges too. So we each committed to pray for an hour a week for all of our teenagers and other related issues. Most of us do it on our own rather than meeting – I really like this because if we meet, we mainly talk. I go into the woods with the dogs and have a very focussed prayer walk. We extended it to post teens too because some people have offspring in their 20s. So I can add Bink to my list.

I have to confess I was super regular for the first two years – there's a feeling of accountability as we've all agreed to do it – but this year I've not been so good. But I'm still trying!

I wonder how she is? I guess I will find out with your weekly email. It's great that you are doing this. I feel I saw an amazing answer to our prayers for [x] - the transformation has been wonderful to behold. Don’t think much work is taking place but I don’t mind that.

Lots of love

Dear P

Thank you for this. So glad to hear good news of [x]. I hadn’t realised things were that bad, to be honest. We obviously need to see you more often! Let’s do something about that, please.

There has been quite a roller coaster since my email to you: even more since I first asked people to pray about three weeks ago. I have been in more despair than at any time in her life; and yet there has been more movement than for many years. I will, of course, include you in the next one, as well as including in this a summary of her illness so far which I wrote for all, as one or two included barely knew she had been ill so asked for some background. You probably don’t need this but I’ll attach it anyway.

Friday 13th March 2015

When you are a freelance you tend to sleep with a telephone by your bed. Ditto, a mother. So I sleep with one of each: landline and mobile.

I am awake within one ring.

1.30 am.

I notice something unusual, but am not awake enough to work out what.

How is Shaun?

(He was in hospital overnight earlier in the week, with ‘flu.)

Thank you for asking.

(Also unheard of.)

He’s home again, thank you, Bink.

I’m in trouble.

Ok.

I need you to help me.

Of course.

I can’t tell you what it is.

So... um… how can I help? (If you can’t tell me what it is.)

Can you come over?

Right now?

Later today?

(Well, that’s a mercy. As long as she doesn’t change her mind in the meantime.)

Are you sure you don’t want me to come immediately? I can be there in forty-five minutes.

Later today would be fine.

I’ll be there by breakfast time.

Lunchtime would be better.

You’ll definitely be there? Awake? Answering the door? I can’t let myself in, if you don’t answer.

Yes.

I’ll be there by one.

Thank you.

It was only after I hung up that I realised what it was.

She hadn’t withheld her number.

Gosh.

Goodness.

Wow.

So... perhaps God does answer prayer? Sometimes, anyway…