Keep Sarah Ann Wood's Family In Your Prayers

I saved this picture in a draft blog a few months ago yet no words came to me so it remained a draft...until today. News reports today bring tears to my eyes and prayers to my heart for Sarah Ann Wood and her family. According to media announcements, law enforcement and the Herkimer district attorney's office are coming together to determine if they should resume the search for this sweet angel's remains.

A wonderful friend asked this afternoon, "Are you okay?" I nodded yes and she mouthed, "I'll catch you after school." My heart instantly went to a mutual friend and her battle for cancer, I started to pray while listening to the conclusion of our assembly. Once the students were safely on the bus, my friend shared "Search for Sarah" news with me. She didn't want me to hear it on the radio while driving home or be caught off guard. This was just super thoughtful of her.

With this this new information and weight on my heart, I lifted it all to God while packing up my bag and driving home. Tears trickled down my cheek as I talked with God, "Why? Lord, be with her family. Wrap your arms around them and hold them close. Oh Jesus, may this family rest in you and sleep well tonight. I pray the nightmares and raw emotions don't creep back in. Lord, I don't know what to pray. Be there and may they look to you for strength, love, and answers because this is positive to have their precious Sarah's case reviewed again yet to open the case file, opens the pain and loss. Oh God..."

Thank goodness Romans 8:26 tells us, "And the Holy Spirit helps us in our weakness. For example, we don't know what God wants us to pray for. But the Holy Spirit prays for us with groanings that cannot be expressed in words." (NLT) I rambled to God the entire way home.

Once home, I congratulated Mags for her 1st place award for "Website Design" at the FBLA competition and listened to the excitement of our sweet daughter realizing she is smart, talented and gifted. As she finished the details of her day, we transitioned from celebration to the plans ahead for tonight and our mid-winter recess.

My concern and curiosity got the best of me so I changed the station to the news for more information. As we waited to learn the details of the search, we talked about the range of emotions the Wood's family is riding through right now and then how much they have impacted their community. One news report is linked through the photo above.

I cannot speak for them but I know the rollercoaster of emotions our family feels when the phone rings, the sheriff pulls in the driveway, or a news broadcast talks about our loved one. I don't know what, how, or for whom to pray but the Bible is clear ~ the Holy Spirit will help me in my weakness as I lift the Wood's family and their team of investigators to God in prayer.

Will you join me? If you could offer a sentence of encouragement to the Wood's family today ~ what would it be? Thank you for remembering all our missing...