waking up is hard to do

today was joe's first day of school. we have had the luxury of sleeping in all summer, but today marked the first day, not just of school, but of getting up at 7am to be ready for his yellow school bus. i got up at ten til the hour and got myself dressed. i turned on my radio loud enough that i knew joe would be able to hear it in his room down the hall. then i went into his room and turned on his light. i got his clothes together that he would later put on and laid them on his bed. joe was still huddled, eyes closed, and ignoring mom as best he could. when i spoke, he just gestured to the light. that is his sign for "turn it off" so i told him he could sleep in a little while longer and turned off the light. then he gestured to the bed beside him. usually that means sit by me, but somehow i didn't think so. i asked him if he wanted his blanket, which had been kicked off sometime during the night. he nodded yes, so i covered him up. before i left his room he had his eyes closed and his breathing deepened into that slumberland sound.

i chuckled to myself at his behavior as i went down the stairs to greet michael who was also getting ready for his first day of school. i pondered on how little joe can communicate and yet, i try to make up for his lack by anticipating his needs and reading between the lines of his signs, gestures and vocalizations.

and vocalizing he has been! this summer joe stumped us many times trying to tell us something, using grunts, squeals, signs and gestures. sadly, often i had to tell him "joe, i dont' know what you're trying to say."

the Lord brought to mind his scripture from Romans that says: "In the same way the Spirit also helps our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we should, but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words and He who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is because He intercedes for the saints according to the will of God." Rom 8:26-27

i am so glad that when i don't know how to pray, how to talk to the Lord, how to express in words my feelings and thoughts, that the Lord steps in and intercedes on my behalf. like joe, i struggle to get the words out, to communicate, but God is there. He knows what i'm trying to say, He knows my innermost thoughts and He is interceding on my behalf! wow--what a great God we serve!

i'm struggling right now how to pray for my mom while she battles this cancer. at times, emotions overwhelm me and the words won't come, but i am confident in God's provision and His tender care. i love the fact that not only is He interceding on my behalf as one of the saints, but that His prayers are in accordance with the will of God! He knows how to pray for my mom and myself even when all can do is point and gesture, just like Joe.