Photo by David Hepworth
He fell asleep midway through blowing seeds from a dandelion clock. Twenty-months-old and strapped into his pushchair, his lips were fluff-covered and forming an O. I stopped mid-walk to adjust his seat, to lie him down and tuck him in cozy. Careful, I eased the dandelion stalk from his mischievous hand.
You wouldn’t know that an hour earlier, I’d lost him in our huge church building. Clearing away after toddler group, I’d glanced up frequently between throwing toys into boxes – then suddenly he was gone. I’d scanned the room, as my slightly-nervous walk became a crazy-lady run and I’d blurted out ‘blue and yellow checked shirt’ at everyone and anyone.
I ran down corridors and up stairs – did I mention the building is huge? – and checked cupboards and even braved the men’s toilets but nothing. Fearing the very worst and forgetting how to breathe, I scoured the car park and all I could pray was please. All I could think was how scared he would be and he’d been so clingy that morning and was he crying his baby heart out?
But they’d found him – the other mothers, who would never stop looking when a small boy was missing – so I was falling apart in the car park and he was being retrieved from behind a tech desk. The boy who spends every waking moment trying to get close to laptops and wires had found himself in his element.
The same boy who scribbled black biro on my white leather sofa before eight in the morning and the same boy asleep mid-dandelion O in the afternoon.
Sometimes we can’t find the words to pray and we’re so desperate, so frantic, that elaborate prayers and words just fail us. All I’d had was please and even if I’d not had that, my spirit would have cried out and doesn’t Jesus hear and feel that? Doesn’t he know how we’re crumbling and tell it to the Father?
If you don’t have the words and all you can form is a dandelion O, it’s okay. It’s okay that you don’t even know what to pray for and all you know is who you’re crying out to. Jesus intercedes and He’s calling out on your behalf. You’re frantic, but He’s already working on it and you haven’t even asked, but He‘s heard.
And He knows just what to make of your dandelion Os.
By Ruth Povey
Leave a Comment
Melanie says
Beautiful. This is great encouragement! Jesus heard us even when words won’t form. ” You’re frantic, but He’s already working on it and you haven’t even asked, but He‘s heard.” – I love this. x
Ruth Povey says
Thank you, lovely Mel!
Bev Duncan @ Walking Well With God says
What a beautiful picture of how the Holy Spirit intercedes for us with groans when we can’t even find the words. Often, when my prayers are so desperate, I can only call out “Jesus”. Over and over again, I call upon His name. He knows what I need, he’s just waiting on me to call out for him. Thank you for a wonderful word picture – I’ll be forever reminded when I see dandelions gone to seed.
Blessings,
Bev
Ruth Povey says
Thank you for reading, Bev. I love that even at our most desperate, we can just call on his name.
Kimberly Amici says
so good to know that we when can’t find words he still hears us.
Ruth Povey says
I’m so thankful that he does!
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Kirsten Holmberg says
I know this fear — my daughter was missing for merely 30 minutes. 30 excruciating minutes. Police involved. My prayers were liquid, emanating from my eyes. And just two words: ‘Oh, Lord.’ It was enough.
Our story resolved quickly and safely. Not all can say the same. Yet He is faithful in all. And hears our every word — or lack thereof. Thanks for you words today.
Ruth Povey says
Oh Kirsten, that must have been awful. I’m so glad that your daughter was found safe and sound. Thank you for stopping by today, God bless
Chloe says
A lot of times, I just don’t know what to say or how to pray. This is encouraging….. 🙂
Ruth Povey says
It can be tough to find words at times, can’t it? Even when there is no emergency. So glad you found this encouraging, I appreciate your comment – thank you!
Joy Lenton says
Oh, those times when we are “fearing the very worst and forgetting how to breathe” and all it takes is a simple, (though desperate) “please” or, “Jesus” to know that we are not alone and prayers are heard. It’s so reassuring that long sentences or religious phrases are not needed to summon God’s presence. He is already with us, alert to the changes in our breathing, the heart-stop feeling, the panic in our hearts, anxiety eating away at us from the inside out. No matter what we are facing, help is there to cope and survive. And even if we say nothing at all, God knows us inside out and is working on the solution before we can give it voice.
This is a beautifully encouraging reminder to trust what we cannot yet see and believe what we do not fully comprehend. For Jesus does indeed care and intercede on our behalf – always. Thanks, Ruth! xx
Ruth Povey says
Thank you for your beautiful, encouraging comment, Joy! So glad you joined me here today
Sandy Renaud says
Thank you so much! That was so simple yet so profound and very comforting! ‘God knows the end from the beginning’. He says in Psalm 139:4 “Before a word is on my tongue, you Lord, know it completely.” So amazing and so reassuring!
Ruth Povey says
Oh I love those verses, thank you for sharing!
Vanessa says
This truth always brings me such comfort, and you’ve portrayed it so beautifully! Lovely post 🙂
Ruth Povey says
Thank you ,Vanessa!
Beth Williams says
Ruth,
Such a beautiful reminder of God’s love for us! It is truly comforting to know that the Holy Spirit is there for us when we are wordless & frantic.
I usually light a candle in my dark bathroom get into shower & just pray–a lot of times I just let Jesus read my mind & spend some quiet time with Him!
Praise God for His comfort & the Holy Spirit speaking on our behalf!
Beautiful post–Glad your child was found!! God Bless!!
Ruth Povey says
I love the idea of lighting a candle in the bathroom and the shower is a great place to pray (particularly if you have small children and struggle for quiet time!). Thank you for taking the time to comment, Beth!
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Kathy @ In Quiet Places says
I am glad HE hears my please and help when words fail me, I know HE hears my heart…
Ruth Povey says
Absolutely 🙂
Jo (@Piano_Jo) says
Lovely juxtaposition of the images, especially dandelion O – that’s well clever. I think I’ll be carrying that picture with me for a while.
We lost one of our children as a toddler at church one time (he hated crowds and had retired to the ladies loos to play with the taps & water.) Other half ran up & down the road frantically looking and he ended up putting himself back a week having had surgery.
So glad your writing is getting out there Ruth x
Ruth Povey says
Hello Jo! Isn’t it so terrifying when they disappear?! I love that you found him playing with taps though 🙂 Thank you for joining me here and for your encouragement, I so appreciate your comment!
Diane says
That was truly amazing. Right now I am frantic and feeling like you did looking for your son
Ruth Povey says
I’m sorry you’re feeling frantic, Diane. I pray peace for you
Lori Harris says
I think I’ve lived a year in this space of having nothing to say to Jesus, but Help Me. And so I’ve been quiet and I’ve spent days staring through old window panes and I’ve felt His spirit blow right into my quiet and I sit here tonight, never having felt more alive in Christ.
Thank you~
Ruth Povey says
That is such a beautiful picture, Lori. Sometimes, we just need to keeping seeking him in the quiet , I think, and that’s where he whispers us alive
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jackie dallos says
What a beautiful piece and so encouraging for all who feel their inadequacies re prayer. I ‘lost’ my son twice at church and both times my heart became as lead in my chest and all I could do was ask God to keep him safe. He was only 2 years old the first time and the thoughts of him stepping out into the road in front of cars that would not be able to see him till it was too late horrified me.
Your piece also was a nice reminder to thank God for keeping my children safe and healthy.
Bless you.
Jackie