I once read a story about two tribes who inhabited a remote island. The ocean tribe were fishermen who stayed close to the beaches, but the mountain tribe lived high above the forest blanketing much of the island. These two people groups had little contact with each other; there was much fear and distrust between them.
One night, on a dare, two young men from the mountain tribe snuck down to the beach and kidnapped an infant from their ocean counterparts. They took the child back through the forest, climbing to their village before dawn.
When the chief of the ocean tribe realized what happened, he sent two of his strongest young men up the mountain to get the child back. The lads tried valiantly but returned at dusk empty handed. They made it through the maze of trees but could not climb the mountain.
The next thing you know, the mother of the infant is missing. The other women of the tribe feared that, overwhelmed by grief, she drowned herself in the sea. However, the next morning she emerged from the forest carrying her little child. The mother accomplished something the strongest and bravest men of her tribe could not–she made it up the mountain.
It was her baby.
Our twenty-something year old son has bipolar disorder. Last year, during Christmas of 2021, he flew to visit his grandmother for a few weeks. We thought he would be fine.
The telephone call came shortly after the new year: “H is manic!” For those who are not familiar, bipolar disorder is characterized by frenzied thoughts and behavior which is often followed by depression. Literally, a person with this mental exceptionality goes from “pole to pole.”
Within a week’s time, our son’s mania crested; he seemed to be doing much better. We cautiously awaited his flight home, knowing he would need to change planes halfway through the 900-mile journey. We prayed the night before, “Lord, please help H get safely home!” Yet the call came the next afternoon–he missed his connecting flight.
A slew of frantic texts and phone calls went out to him. He didn’t respond. Our son, still manic, was somewhere in a major airport of a far away city, and we couldn’t reach him. His stepmother and I filed a report with the airport police and booked a flight for the next morning. We had to find him. But how?
My phone rang at midnight.“This is police officer Morton. I’m here with your son.” I almost shouted into the phone, “Thank God!” We arrived the next day and escorted H home.
Remember how we asked the Lord to bring our son to safety? I didn’t realize it at the time, but He intended for us to be part of the answer. There were moments, during our 72-hour intervention, when we felt far outside our comfort zone. Yet God cleared the way around every obstacle! His strength and His provision allowed us to complete the most important mission of our lives.
And, it was our baby.
Kind reader, perhaps you’re facing a “It’s my baby” situation this very moment. Up a mountain or cross-country, God will make a way!
Go!
Thank you for reading. 🙏 ❤️ prayers and love.
I will be glad and rejoice in thy mercy: for thou hast considered my trouble; thou hast known my soul in adversities;
Psalm 31:7 (KJV)
I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help. My help cometh from the Lord, which made heaven and earth.
Psalm 121-1,2 (KJV)
Photo by Zeynep Ece Ondes on Pexels.com
- I tell this story with permission from my son, H.
Davids Daily Dose 
Comments
37 responses to “Mission Possible”
It didn’t take you long to approve. It took me a long time to “read” this post. I’m catching up on a great number of readings that I got behind on through the holidays and taking a second job.
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I’m sorry it took me so long to approve your comment, Manette Kay. Thank you for such kind and gracious words! God Bless.
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David, you shared this difficult situation with much grace. I’m glad you collaborated with H and got his approval to write the post. Blessings to all and may God be glorified by your family’s sacrifice of vulnerability.
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❤️ Sharing our stories helps in breaking down the stigma.
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H and I coined the term mental exceptionally at some point on this very trip! I’m sure we’re not the first ones to use it.☺️
This was a difficult story to tell—being so personal—but it needed to see the light of day. There is simply too much stigma placed on those with mental exceptionalities.
Yes, I am happy that H was willing to let me share our story. It took almost a year, and I asked him twice (just to be sure), but we “got er done.”
Thanks, Crystal! And thank you for being my blogger friend. Blessings!
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This story hits home for me in so many ways. Thank you for sharing and for your definition of mental exceptionality—and thanks to H for his permission.
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[…] Mission Possible […]
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Thank you for reading and commenting, Danielle. Yes, it’s often easier to NOT tell it like it is—or was. But I knew I wanted to eventually tell this story, with my son’s blessing. It felt like God really helped us out, and I want people to know he can help them out too! I enjoy reading your posts. Thank you for stopping by my little blog! God Bless.
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Wow – it took courage to share that. My son is diagnosed with autism and is 20 years old. I am very aware of the frantic behavior.
Christmas Eve he was working and went out to his car and the locks were frozen. He called me in a panic and thought that meant his whole car had died.
It’s such a sensitive topic when its “our baby” and many will understand- and as you revealed and showed in one of the psalms – god knows our troubles…god knows and is there. 🙏💜
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We were holding our breath too, especially before we knew where H was. Yes, God is good! Thank you for reading and sharing. God Bless!
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I was holding my breath while reading, awaiting the outcome. Our God is so good.
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Yes sir! I’m the type who likes to prepare for everything in advance. However, there are times when no preparation suffices. At such moments we launch out in faith, trusting God to see us through. I know you’ve been there before, too, brother. God is good!
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Yes, it took almost a year for both of us to comfortably tell our story. I did not want to exploit my own son or fail to give all the glory to God. Thank you, Gary. I treasure both our friendship and partnership in God’s kingdom work.
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Amen, brother! With God all the things are possible. Yet the greatest gift He gives us is His presence. Oh, how wonderful it is to be one of His redeemed! Blessings.
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Thank you for sharing David. Your experience with your son underscores for me the truth that every life is precious. We are called to love not to look for how a child might benefit us.
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I sure relate David. I’m glad H is Ok with this personal story sharing, there is so much deep truth beyond us here.
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Thank you for sharing your story of what was a frantic time. I remember such times in our past when we were in a similar position, but where people couldn’t help our Father God did what seemed impossible. It is His specialty!
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Nicola, you found a deeper, and more significant meaning in my post. God gave up His only son (baby) for us. I did not consider this when I wrote the post but you have touched the very heart of what I wanted to say. Thank you, sister!
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Thank you for sharing this testimony David. I can understand why it took time to be able to share it here on your blog but am very grateful you did. It’s a very powerful story. Your words “it was her baby” made me think of God’s heart for his Son, Jesus, just knowing and choosing to do what God did for us. God listening to Jesus’ prayer of suffering in the Garden of Gethsemane. Heart wrenching. God gave up His child for us. I’m not sure I’ve ever really thought before of that sacrifice in that way. His child. Thank you.
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You’re welcome! I’m glad the Lord used it to touch you. It took almost a year before I felt ready to write this for my site.
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I can hardly comment for the tears in my eyes. This touched me deeply in many ways. Thank you! 😭
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Yes, Bridget! We are grateful things turned out the way they did. God bless you too.
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Wow, thank you for sharing this. I can only imagine how scary this was. But the Lord helped bring a safe ending, and used you to be part of the mission. Much to ponder here. God bless!
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Amen. Thanks a lot big brother. 😊🙏💐❤️
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🙏Heavenly Father, please guide my brother. Help him to find your path for his life—the next step. Amen!
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Thank you, Nadine!
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Thanks for being transparent with us.
I always enjoy your daily dose.
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Amen and thanks a lot for your wishes, prayers and blessings. I need special prayers for discernment. 👍😊🥰🙏💐❤️
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Thank you, ashis! I remember your similar stories of God’s provision. We are weak but He is strong! Thank you for reading and sharing. A very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to you as well! God Bless.
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Thanks for sharing such a testimony. Wish you and loved ones a Merry Christmas. 🥰😊❤️🙏💐🌲
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😊
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It was indeed a life-defining, and faith strengthening mission from God, brother!
The gladness of our relationship extends both ways. 🤗 Thank you, Andy B. God Bless!
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Thanks for sharing this my friend.
Some things in life don’t just affect us – they define us, for good or for bad.
But I love how Jesus can take whatever it is and redefine us 😊
You are a David after God’s own heart, and I’m so very glad God introduced us to each other.
Andy B
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It took a year for me to tell this story, here on my site, because it hits really close to home. Plus, it wasn’t mine to tell alone; It’s our son’s story too.
You’re spot on about the wall plaque part, Pastor Pete. God’s Word means the most to us when we need it as much as life itself.
Thank you for reading and commenting, Blessings!
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So true, brother! So true. Thanks for stopping by, BG!
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Love goes the extra mile! Love goes the necessary mile!
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Thanks for sharing your struggles as well as your victory. I have found it amazing how verses that just seemed “nice” subjects for a wall plaque, suddenly become a lifeboat in a storm when my ship of confidence is sinking.
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