Ever wonder what you can say or do that will truly help someone who’s struggling? Tracy Klicka, director of development for the Home School Foundation, offers some practical suggestions from her own life, today on Home School Heartbeat with HSLDA President Mike Smith.
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Mike Smith:
Tracy, I know your family faced many difficulties through your husband Chris’s 15-year battle with multiple sclerosis. What were some of the most significant ways that other homeschoolers came alongside and encouraged you?
Tracy Klicka:
Well Mike, multiple sclerosis is one of those awful diseases that can affect every part of your body and life, not just the one who has it, but your whole family. That’s how it was for us. While the kids and I took on the primary responsibility of caring for Chris’s needs, from preparing special foods for his restricted diet to helping him move, getting him dressed, and assisting with the therapies he used to treat his MS, God surrounded us with dear friends who encouraged us both practically and spiritually. On a practical level, they helped with running errands and fixing things around the house Chris couldn’t. On a deeper spiritual level, however, they prayed for us, shared God’s Word with us, and extended the Spirit’s comfort to us through their love. Sometimes, their compassionate listening meant all the difference between wanting to give up and pressing on with hope in the Lord. We know that while our needs were great, so too was the grace and mercy of God toward us through these dear families, including many here at HSLDA.
Mike:
Tracy, what a wonderful testimony. Thanks for sharing that with us today; we really appreciate it. And until next time, I’m Mike Smith.
