The phone rang early this morning. I placed my coffee cup on the table, lowered the volume on my recording of “The Potter’s House” and giggled when I heard my sweet daughter’s “Hellerrr.” Melinda does a mean Madea imitation, and when I heard that silly greeting I knew the person on the other end was happy.

Nothing makes this mama smile brighter than to know my kids are doing well. It has been a while since I’ve heard this funny greeting because my daughter has had a pretty tough go of it lately. One of the most unfortunate events for a family, I believe, is when a couple breaks up. Divorce is hard on the husband and wife, but it’s difficult for all the people that love them also.

My daughter has turned this page in good form. She has been working very diligently to keep her chin up and stay positive about her situation. When discouragement tried to move in, she fought back by listening to uplifting music and Christian teachings.

Instead of feeling sorry for herself on her first Christmas as a single girl, she worked with her special needs client trying to make his day a happy one. She discovered a key to contentment by giving to those less fortunate. When her road was a rocky one she just kept plugging away.

Melinda never wavered in her faith and attended church even when she didn’t feel like facing people. One thing she had to stand up to was the risk of criticism. Most people who go through divorce feel like a failure. We all know that folks can be critical and cruel, but Melinda’s church family loved her though it all.

Melinda never gave in to the temptation to isolate herself. She was real about her difficulties, and asked for help when she needed it. According to the Bible, the kindnesses we show come back to us in many ways. Melinda is known for reaching out to help others, and I watched the kindnesses she has shown multiplied right back when she needed a hand.

Of course, I have tried to be as supportive as possible, and many friends stood staunchly by her side. But Melinda was the one who had to stay the course until she walked out on the other side of her pain.

The events of these past few months made the happy sound of my daughter’s voice on the other end of the phone beautiful music to this mama’s ears.

“Weeping may endure for a night, but joy comes in the morning” (King James Version, Psalms 30:5).