For a year and a half, my daughter Hannah has been praying for her classmate to talk. Anna has selective mutism and hasn’t said a word to Hannah or anyone else at school since the day she started. (I’ve never heard of this condition before, but it’s real) Anna is extremely intelligent. I’ve heard she whispered once to her third grade teacher. Anna’s mom told me she talks a lot at home.
Even without words, Anna is one of Hannah’s closest friends. They’ve been in the same class together for third and fourth grade. The teachers tell me that they have a special friendship and that Hannah somehow knows what Anna is saying. They love to giggle together. Sometimes too much so. 🙂
This past weekend Anna came over to our house to play with Hannah. And after two hours, Anna whispered in Hannah’s ear, “Shut up.” (Funny first words!) Then she laughed. I bet Hannah was talking enough for two. Then for the next 30 minutes until Anna’s mom arrived, they talked.
After Anna left, Hannah’s eyes sparkled with amazement. I hugged her as she told me the good news. All weekend, Hannah wore a grin and couldn’t stop thinking about the fact that Anna spoke. She even called her on the phone and they talked some more. I told Hannah we better thank and praise God for answering our prayers. This one was BIG!
Now that Hannah and Anna are in school again, Anna went silent. I pray Anna will break through her fears(her condition is an extreme form of shyness) and speak. Speak to Hannah, her other friends and her teachers. I pray Hannah and Anna will continue their sweet friendship–even if it’s created through unspoken words.
This experience is further proof to our family that God answers prayer.
**Please pray for Anna.
WOW WOW WOW~~ What a touching story!
I am so glad that God is using your Hannah to be an instrument of love. I am so glad Anna feels SAFE with Hannah. YEA HANNAH for being so patient and loving.
May God continue to help Anna overcome her fears, and may she find the love of her friend, Hannah, and of the Lord to be healing to her soul – and give her courage to “talk” at school.
And I love those moments when our kids EXPERIENCE the love of the Lord first hand in their own lives and through ANSWERED prayer 🙂 May this be an anchor in Hannah’s faith!!
What a gift for your daughter . . . chuckling at the first words though. :0)
Oh my gosh, Tiffany, that is just an amazing story. What a wonderful thing for Hannah, too, to see God working miracles. I am praying for Anna…
Yes, wow! How amazing it is to witness the power of prayer. I don’t necessarily think Hannah’s silence is problematic, but any fear that may be behind it. Thanks for sharing this story, Tiffany.
What a wonderful example Hannah gave to Anna on “trusting” a special friend unconditionally. A picture of Jesus!
Anna has fears of rejection and not trusting people because she may see the spirit in some as not being what they seem. At any rate, we, as a family will pray for her too. I am not a doctor by the way, just sensitive and I can remember how shy I was as a child and still revert to that place when I feel rejected by some. Silly how the enemy can try to pound us and our good self-image in Christ.
Love to all in Jesus,
Paulette