Life saving love

There once was a boy who loved to dig. One day he found a humungous pile of sand that would be perfect for building tunnels. Halfway into his tunnel excavation the mound collapsed, trapping him inside. Only a portion of his legs could be seen. Thankfully his loyal dog was with him and ran home to alert his parents, who were already looking for their son. Unfortunately they did not understand the dogs behavior and spent several hours searching in all the wrong places. Finally the mother realized that the dog was trying to tell them something was wrong and told everyone to follow their pet. Once they found their son they quickly pulled him from out of the sand and rushed him to the hospital. Upon arriving they were forced to wait as doctors desperately tried to get the young boy's heart beating again. A doctor finally came to the waiting room and sadly informed them that their son was gone. The mother sank into a nearby chair and immediately pleaded with God. "You raised Lazarus from the dead", she cried, "please do it again for my son, please God bring him back to me!" As she sat there begging God to spare her son's life the doctor was summoned by a nurse. Moments later he rushed back into the waiting room to tell the family of the miracle that had just taken place. Their son was alive! That young boy would be released from the hospital a few days later with no damage done despite having been without oxygen for such a length of time and being declared medically dead.  That young son owed his life to the power of a prayer that was uttered from a mother's heart one full of love and faith.
There is another story of a mother who's faith saved the life of her son, a woman whose name we are never privileged to know yet her faith is legendary. She is first mentioned in 2 Kings 4 and is simply called, "The Shunammite Woman". She was a woman who had opened her heart and home to a traveling man, a man she perceived to be a man of God. Wanting to be a blessing she convinces her husband to build a little room just for this man and furnishes it with things that would give him a little comfort after a long journey. Elisha was so grateful for this kind deed that he promises her she will have a son, something he realizes she doesn't have.
​Can you imagine the delight and joy that man child brought into her life? A child she had longed for and here he was cradled in her arms. I am sure she loved watching him grow and relished every hug and kiss. One day he goes out to see his father in the field and complains of a headache. His father quickly sends him home to be tended by mom. She pulls him onto her lap and holds him gently, maybe even rocking back and forth. Yet for all her love and care he dies within a few hours. I can't even begin to imagine the sorrow and agony she must have felt as she held his little body and felt the life draining out of her beloved child's body unable to do anything to stop it. Yet the faith she displayed is absolutely incredible. Rather than collapse into hysterical weeping or running outside shouting that her child was dead she calmly picks him up and carries him to the prophets room.  There she lays him on the bed and shuts the door. Calling her husband, she asks for a servant and donkey so she can visit the prophet. Her husband, not even bothering to ask how their son is faring, asks why she wants to go see the prophet since it wasn't a new moon or sabbath? Here is where she displays her great faith by answering that it shall be well. I can't even begin to relay the amount of faith and strength of character it took for her to say such a thing after having just laid the lifeless body of her child upstairs. She journeys to see the prophet, falls at his feet and for the first time shows her grief. This is where you realize just how much Elisha cares for this woman and her family. He had spent much time with her and her family, had been the recipient of her wonderful hospitality and in return asked God to bless her with a son. When he sees that it is her riding toward him he sends Gehazi out to meet her instructing him to ask specifically about each member of her family and if they were well. When she falls at his feet he also shields her from his servants attempt to thrust her aside. He tells him to leave her alone because her soul was in deep distress and the Lord had hid the reason from him. I wonder if God hid the news so that Elisha's response would simply be a reaction instead of one that was prepared. It was as if God wanted to see how Elisha would respond to this woman's plea. 
​This is also the part where you see just how deep of a wound this was to her. She tells Elisha that she did not ask him for a child and she had asked him not to deceive her regarding the promise of a son. Of course she wanted a child, it was hard for a woman to be barren in those times, a time when her greatest worth came from bearing children. But she was without child and her husband was old. She then opened her home to a total stranger, made him feel welcome and built him a room of his own. Yet when asked what he could do for her she responses that she has no needs. She had resigned herself to the fact that she never would have children and was at peace. But when she was given the promise of a son she begged that it not be a joke, and this is what she recounts at the feet of the prophet. You can almost sense a little tint of anger as she reminds him of her request not to be deceived. 
Elisha was quick to aid her and sent Gehazi ahead with his staff and with instructions on what to do with the child. As he sets off the woman tells Elisha that she will not leave unless he comes with her spurning the prophet to follow close behind.
​When he arrives at the house he is met by his servant and told that the child is still not awake. Elisha makes the decision to be alone with the child in the room and begins one of the most unique miracles ever performed. I believe the style of this miracle shows just how much he cared for this woman and the child. It is the only time you will ever see a miracle performed like this. Never will you read of any other prophet being so emotionally and physically invested in a miracle. He closes the door and earnestly prayed to the Lord. I believe he poured his heart out to God, begging Him to restore the life of this woman's son, a son he had promised her. She who had been nothing but gracious and hospitable to this servant of the Lord. Then Elisha does something very interesting, he lays his own body upon the boy, eye to eye, mouth to mouth and hand to hand. Then he gets up and walks around, returning a short while later to do the same exact same thing. This second touch causes the child to sneeze seven times. It could be said that Elisha poured his very soul into this miracle for the sake of a mother's love and great faith.
This woman had extraordinary faith and a strong will, which was rewarded in the end  with the life of her beloved child being restored. That young lad was given a second chance at life because of his mother's love and faith. There is something special about a mother's love and different than any other kind of love. It is constant, unwavering and unshakable. It is the mom who represents mercy, love and compassion, a beautiful illustration and representation of the nature of God.
I count myself blessed to have a mother that is strong, loving and giving. She has always been there for me, cheering me on through the hard times and rejoicing with me in the good times. She is my shoulder to cry on and my companion in fun excursions! I love her with all of my heart and feel honored to be her daughter. God knew she was the best person for the job and I thank Him for putting us together.
May we honor our mothers, mothers who have prayed for us, loved on us, protected us and never stopped believing in us. Mothers who have faithfully prayed for their children that have gone astray and spent many hours begging God to bring them back. I know this post is a week late for Mother's Day but please be sure and thank your mother for all she has done for you and what she continues to do. Truly they should be honored every day of the year! I feel confident that many of us can relate to this young boy's faithful mother and the impact mother's have had on each of us.