I stood at the kitchen sink washing dishes. A kitchen sink is a great place for thinking no one dares to enter for fear of being handed a towel or given a job. I heard my daughter giving a long “speech” which was just her babbling and babbling complete with hand motions and full of expression. I wanted her to be able to speak and to be able to understand her. She had so much that she wanted to say would I be able to understand. I was feeling frustrated and wondering how I could ever find an English-speaking speech therapist in a Cantonese speaking country.

It was the cry of my heart to get help for my daughter. I had no idea how that would happen. God heard my cry.

We had moved to Hong Kong just a few months earlier. Miss K with Down Syndrome had turned two years old. She needed speech therapy and where would I find it? We were far – minibus to the train to the subway and then a walk or a bus ride which was over an hour just in travelling one way. Central was the from major business and commerce area especially where the English speakers can be found.  It was where services would be most likely available.

Add into that our missionary budget. I feared it might be expensive even if I found a speech therapist.

Where would I find speech therapy in rural Hong Kong? I had no idea. It would have to be God.

I forgot about that request and went on with life settling into a new country, working on physical therapy, and beginning ministry.

A few weeks later I attended an English-speaking mom’s group near where we lived. While the children played, the moms had time to study the Bible and chat. I was thrilled to find a group to join with for fellowship.

One week after I had attended a few weeks, I was getting ready to go home, Lucy, the group leader, was chatting with me. She then said, “If you want help with speech therapy, let me know.” I must have had a puzzled look on my face. She then added, “You know I am a speech therapist.”

I didn’t know she was a speech therapist and she was a native English speaker. God had provided the longing of my heart to provide a speech therapist.

Lucy and I chatted a bit more. She then told me where she lived, Lam Tsuen, a village outside the town. We lived in the same village. Not only had God provided but had provided someone in my village. A village in Hong Kong is a bit like an apartment complex or a housing community. There are no shops just houses, a playground, and maybe a temple.

Kylie and I began walking back through our village once a week to have a speech therapy session with Lucy. During that time, I learned things that I could do to help Kylie. It gave me the confidence that I could help her learn to develop in this area. Now 14 years later she is talking all the time and I mean all the time. She talks in the bathtub, in her room, in the car, in the garden, and wherever she is there are words and sentences.

I am thankful for Lucy’s help. She was willing to use her skills to help someone in need. Even more, I am thankful for what God showed me about himself through that experience.

God heard my cry and He provided in a way that was beyond what I could imagine. A qualified speech therapist living in my neighbourhood was willing to work with my daughter at no charge. Only God could do all of that.

As I reflect on that, there are so many truths about God that I learned. I know that God hears the cry of my heart. God can work in ways beyond what I can imagine. God will provide in ways that glorify Himself.

“Answer me when I call, O God of my righteousness! You have given me relief when I was in distress. Be gracious to me and hear my prayer.” Psalm 4:1 (ESV)

Today the cry of my heart is much different but God is the same. I can have confidence that God hears my cry. That is the confidence that I need at this time. I know that God can work in ways beyond what I can imagine and that is what I need. I need God’s grace in my life.

God hears the cry of my heart. I rest knowing that He is able. I trust that God will work according to his plan and purpose.

Do you have a story of how God heard the cry of your heart?

 

Parts of this reflection will be in my book. Look for that in the coming year. Subscribe to the blog to receive updates on my book.