Providence

One of my favourite songs from my youth was performed by Michael W. Smith on the album called "I 2 (EYE)" released in 1988. This record (as they were called back then) was likely the first one I ever bought, so it's imprinted in my history as a pretty huge deal, and I love all the songs on the album. My favourite song is called "Hand of Providence" and starts out with a really cool harmonica intro - to which my Dad loved too, and we'd listen to it over and over.

Last week, I had the opportunity to experience the "Hand of Providence" in our life and this song kept coming back to me and thanks to my iPhone, I listened to it many, many times without having to waste walkman battey-life on rewind!

Monday: Ellie and I went for a follow-up speech assessment as part of her whole-body review the pediatrician has ordered. Her Speech Pathologist assessed her a year ago and said there was a speech delay but nothing significant. This day, however, the Speech Pathologist did some testing and said that Ellie was border-line severe language delays. She sent me home with a 300-question test to assist us in obtaining PUF Funding for Ellie - which stands for Program Unit Funding which would pay for special programs that would be available to her.

Tuesday: As I was mentally drafting an email to close family to update them on this and ask for prayer for funding and a programming spot, the Speech Pathologist called and said that Ellie had qualified for PUF Funding! She then gave me a list of six agencies to contact immediately to see if there was a programming spot available for Ellie - programs run on the school year and can be hard to come by as there is more need than programs available.

I called the first three places, was put on a wait list, left two voice mails and one called me back and booked us in for a tour the following day. The lady said that a spot had just opened up the previous day - my mind was reeling with the speed this was taking.

Wednesday: Mark, Ellie, Will and I toured this school and made the decision to place Ellie there. We completed the paperwork and she started the following day! The name of the school? Providence...

I had to look up what the word "providence" meant, and according to Mr. Webster, it means "divine guidance or care" - how true! We were living out the definition of the word! I then had to look up the words to the Michael W. Smith song that came coming back to me, and the words just overwhelmed the emotions in my heart:

Providence, Providence

See it laying down the cornerstone

The Hand of Providence – it’s evident

For we could never make it on our own

Apportioning the power

Weighing all that it entails

Giving us the fulcrum

And a balance to the scales

Oh, the Hand of Providence

Is guiding us through choices that we make

Oh, the Hand of Providence

Is reaching out to help us on our way

Providence, ever since

Any thesis ever entered man

The Hand of Providence

Has been our best defense

Tho’ his ways are sometimes hard to understand

From the dying of a heartbeat

To another soul reborn

From in between and circling

Our thoughts of love and war

Oh, the Hand of Providence

Is guiding us through choices that we make

Oh, the Hand of Providence

Is reaching out to help us on our way