A Mother’s Prayer

Several years ago I attended the funeral of one of my former students.  She was popular, athletic, yet quiet so I never knew what if any impact I had on her life as a Bible teacher.  Unfortunately, when you have 30 students in a class, its hard to get to know individuals well and follow the set curriculum.

Anyway, there was a public viewing before the ceremony, full of former classmates, current students and teachers.  The line zig-zagged back and forth several times before you reached the chapel area.  This room was filled with instrumental music, tears and sighs.  I almost gave up after standing in line for 2 hours, but I am thankful I remained.

As I approached her mother, I reminded her who I was, especially with the masses who already paid their last respects to her daughter.  When I reached to embrace her with a hug to keep the line going, she whispered the following words into my ear.  “I pray that the words from the Bible you shared with her class were etched upon her heart!”

While I stood in line selfishly thinking about myself, this woman of God was ministering to each person who greeted her family.  Not sure of her daughter’s eternal future, this woman held fast to the teaching Nikki received from me.  I was blown away by this responsibility which I often took for granted.  From that day on, until my last day teaching, I was radically transformed by a mother’s prayer.

by Jay Mankus