The news my mom gave me about her breast cancer diagnosis on Wednesday remains tough to process. I spoke words to a friend this morning about not feeling guilty about “not doing *this* because the time for *this* would have taken time from *that*. As I flipped to James 3 this morning, I just lost myself in scripture about the taming of and the power of the tongue. It sure does break a lot of hearts for such a tiny part of our body.

Every thought comes back to “what can I say or do that honors God and does not betray some important lessons my kids have taught me this summer through His Word?  Is there anything I could have traded to spend that time in Clarksville? Sadly, the answer is “not really”.

Over the past three months, I would have been there, if asked or needed. ***REDACTED DETAILS ABOUT WHERE MY KIDS WERE WORKING AND THEIR CHURCH GROUP ACTIVITIES***

I could have gone by myself. Still, I want so desperately to “fix” the mother-daughter relationship and have failed miserably because I keep trying to do it in my own power. I have none. Mostly, I can look back and see where God put me for His reasons. I am convinced the reason we were all able to get through so many challenges this summer is because we put God first. I could never trade that for anyone, including my mom, kids or husband. This is the hard truth.

Still, I want to be there for my mother in any way she will allow. I am going to continue to pray for direction and the wisdom to speak the words she needs to hear.

Thank you, God, for taping my mouth shut until it’s clearly directed from you.