The other day I received a text from a fellow missionary mama. She asked me to pray for her son; he was sick and so far away. I did pray for her boy, but I prayed for her, too, because managing those maternal instincts of caring and protecting your child is a very hard thing to do. Then I sent her a poem I had written early on when my son was on the field and I was yet unaccustomed to the feeling of helplessness this kind of situation creates. I think this ministered to her aching heart even if it didn’t solve her situation.
As I was contemplating what to write to you this month, I wanted to reemphasize the importance of community. Being part of a local church is a great way to find your people. But if you have the peculiar sorrow of having a goer child so very far away, you might be aching for some like-minded folks who can commiserate. You might not be able to find that connection close to home, but believe me, those women are out there longing to chat with someone who understands. I have talked to many of them. I would love to connect all of you.
Join Parents of Goers on our first monthly Zoom call for mothers and grandmothers of Goers on Wednesday, October 28, 2026 at 10:30 am CT (see accurate times in other zones below). If you would like to share an hour with others mamas who understand, contact Sarah at meekhofs@msn.com to receive a zoom link.
I hope to see many of you next week! Oh, and here’s the poem I wrote so many years ago. I hope it ministers to your heart too.
HEARTSICK
By Tori R. Haverkamp
He is sick and far away.
This knowledge sits heavy in my brain. I want to go to him.
To make him all better, take care of him, my baby.
He is part of me and when he hurts, I hurt.
Someone once said that when you have a child,
It’s like walking around with your heart outside of your body.
My spirit is sad. I long for him to be well.
I wish my heart were closer.
As my kids grow up and become themselves,
The good news is, “They don’t need me to help them!”
And the bad news is, “They don’t need me to help them!”
Isn’t this what I wanted? What I purposed them to be?
Even so, tears fall with the realization that this job is almost done.
The sunset of childhood is upon us, I see the horizon ablaze.
I hold the memories like a toddler clutching a beloved blanket,
Then, one by one, I fold them neatly, and reluctantly tuck them away.
Yes, he is sick, but he will heal…without me.
He is a man, but I will continue to see him as my little boy.
God’s design would become my delight
if I could my get my heart back inside of myself.
The LORD is close to the brokenhearted
and saves those who are crushed in spirit.
Psalm 34:18
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Parents of Goers is starting a monthly Zoom call for mothers and grandmothers of missionaries! We need each other!
Join us on Wednesday, October 28, 2026 at
8:30 am PST/9:30 am MST/10:30 am CST/11:30 am EST (the calls will be approximately one hour)
Contact Sarah at meekhofs@msn.com to receive a zoom link.
