
Valentine's Day. The day I danced with my last 6th grader at his dance. The 6th grader who was a 1st grader at the time of the Sandy Hook shooting. The day I subbed in a ballroom class in a high school. The day my 17 year old attended a typical day in another high school. Did it hit home? Yeah, it really, really did.

And in the meantime, I do what I can in my own little world. Every. Single. Morning when I walk into a new classroom, I scout it out. I lock the door and use a magnet strip to cover the strike plate so it only takes a second to secure the door. I look to see how to close the blinds. I figure out where kids can go to be out of sight of a door. And I pray! Because I think it matters.
There are so many times when we can't do anything else. But I believe prayer matters. I've always believed this in kinda a ethereal, nebulous way. But in the past eight years, I've come to know it in the most intimate, personal way.

Does that mean that's all we have to do? Of course not! If a staff member showed in in Aaron's doorway and said, "Good luck, I'm praying for you" I think I'd take their head off. They have a job, they can do it, and they darn well better. But if they also want to add their prayers, well, this mama had better have some Kleenex handy. I remember a nurse stopping me in the hall and telling me he was praying for Aaron, and he's not a member of our faith. That was several years ago, and I still tear up when I think of it. Because it matters.

And if you want to spare some prayers for my four boys who will have to drive home from Southern Utah tomorrow afternoon in the middle of a winter snowstorm, and maybe a couple for their mama who is already worried, I'd be so grateful.
The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man [or woman] availeth much.
James 5:16
Rebekah I always LOVE your insightful posts. I couldn't agree more! Prayers really do help! You can feel them!
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