Sophia felt a gentle Hand on her shoulder. You've done very well. Many take decades to learn My voice and follow it as well as you have done. Your conduct befits your name. In fact, Lazarus was almost twice your age when his ears got this sharp. She blushed. This was very high praise, and far be it from her to argue, but did Lazarus have the same assistance in his development that she had in hers?
Love radiated through her as He answered. Humility. Very good. You've come a long way from where you started. While it is true that you had more direct assistance than he did, it is also true that this assistance flew in the face of almost everything you knew. Benefiting from it, though simple, was not an easy task. Most in your position would have rejected it, but you took up your cross and bore it well. And that reminds Me... Yes? As you inferred, your mother is on the mend. You will hear from her shortly, in much the same way that she heard from you. Right about...now.
Though she couldn't physically see Him, she could have sworn that He winked. She started scrolling. Sure enough, Mom was active. And she was quoting Scripture! Which part?
Matthew 11:25-30: "At that time Jesus answered and said, I thank thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent, and hast revealed them unto babes. Even so, Father: for so it seemed good in thy sight. All things are delivered unto me of my Father: and no man knoweth the Son, but the Father; neither knoweth any man the Father, save the Son, and he to whomsoever the Son will reveal him.
Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light."
So sweet! Though she had obeyed, Sophia had often worried that Mom might take her posts the wrong way, so this was an immense relief to see. When she took a closer look at the song below the quote, she broke into a laugh. The thumbnail showed a woman in bright West African attire, and the title was "Under A Rest" by Vernessa Mitchell. Yep. That was Mom, all right. Perfectly in character. This promised to be fun. She clicked.
Bound by the shackles of emptiness / Trapped in a corner of loneliness / Weary and worn / Tortured and torn / I needed help from above / God must have smiled when He heard me call / And He's always willing to take it all / He broke off my chains / When I gave Him the reins / And now I'm His prisoner of love, of love
He placed me under a rest, oh, yes / Only when I surrendered in helplessness / No more resisting what the Father knows best / I must confess / He placed me under a rest
Now I'm rescued to rest in His righteousness / And I'm captured to walk in His holiness / Totally free / It's so peaceful to be / Surrendered and under His care / He keeps me secure in a guarded place / And I'm learning to trust Him in all His ways / Safe from all harm / So there'll be no alarm / For where I am, He will be there
...
Well, I was convicted, but He gave me life / No, no, no, no, I don't deserve it / So I will obey Him and spend all my time / Living to serve Him
He placed me under a rest, oh, yes...
As the song waxed and waned, her smile deepened. This selection had Mom written all over it, and in the best way. This was the Mom she had always secretly needed...and now finally had.