The Canaanite woman knew what she wanted.
She was a woman on a mission.
Her name isn’t given. It doesn’t need to be. She is every mother.
“Lord, son of David, have mercy on me!” She cried out in agony.
Like you and me, she physically experienced her child’s misery. “My daughter is suffering terribly from demon-possession.” Or “My child is suffering terribly from a broken relationship, an illness, an injury.”
She would not be dissuaded. The disciples urged the Lord to send her away. The men whined, “She keeps crying after us.”
That motley crew of twelve was not going to get in her way. She knew who and what she needed. This mom persisted in her passionate brokenhearted cries.
But Jesus was quiet.
Isn’t that the hardest part? We cry, beg, and chase after him. And we are met with silence.
Even when Jesus said, “I was sent only to the lost sheep of Israel” she didn’t give up. Instead of withdrawing, she came closer kneeling before him determined not to leave his presence empty-handed.
“Lord, help me!”
“It is not right to take the children’s bread and toss it to their dogs.” He continued to test her faith.
“Yes, Lord, but even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their master’s table.” Tenaciously she pressed on.
“Woman, you have great faith! Your request is granted.” The Lord healed her daughter that very hour.
Having faith when life is messy is difficult. I want to trust like that Canaanite mother; to persistently petition on my kids’ behalf, to persevere with hope, and to have confidence that I will be heard even if I need to wait.
Because like the Canaanite woman, I know my help comes from the Lord, the maker of heaven and earth.
Lori Wildenberg, mom of four and national speaker, is passionate about helping families build connections that last a lifetime. As a licensed parent-family educator she is professionally equipped to encourage and empower moms and dads to be the parents their children need. She’s author of Messy Journey: How Grace and Truth Offer the Prodigal a Way Home and Messy Parenting: Powerful and Practical Ways to Strengthen Family Connections. She’s co-author of three additional books. Lori co-founded the 1st Corinthians 13 Parenting Ministry, a resource site for parents and those who work with families. She’s the lead mentor mom at Moms Together Facebook Community and a freelance writer for Christian parenting magazines. www.loriwildenberg.com.