Parents and The Call

Some close friends of ours got "the Call."

As a youth ministry professor, you might think I am talking about "the call" to ministry, but not this time. I am talking about one of the worst nightmares for parents-- "the call" in the middle of the night from the sheriff, the state patrol, or the doctor in the emergency room, telling you that your teenager is in trouble.

Judi and I have received "the call."

When you get "the call" your world changes. You shift into autopilot. Dad wants to fix things, accuse the person or persons who let this happen. Mom simply wants to get to the side of a child in trouble.

Powerless. Answers slow to come. Staring at your cell phone trying to think of the name of a doctor, lawyer or close friend to give advice. Each decision is one you haven't made before. You woke up in the middle of the night, so you are a bit slow in processing all of the potential outcomes of "the call."

At the end of the day, I take comfort from the story of Elijah (1 Kings 17-19). After some incredible moments where the prophet watched God show up in mighty ways. A very short time later, Elijah was terrified of an insane queen. In the midst of the insanity, God showed up again, but in a mighty whisper.

Parents, it is frightening. We may not be able to control or even reduce the tragic consequences of the decisions that our children make. But we can, in the midst of the uncertainty, listen for God's voice to remind us that He is still God.