This morning I was watching 100 Huntley Street. There was a story about a family that was battered by tragedies. They lost a baby at the age of 2, the economic downturn cost both parents their jobs and their home and then their 5 year old son was diagnosed with Leukemia.
I'm thinking I probably would have given up. But they didn't. They kept right on going and believing for God to turn their situation around.
It's a story (one of many) that's touched my heart and humbled me in ways I didn't think possible (although I'm sure I still have a long way to go).
At the end of the program, the young boy, who I believe is now in remission, asked if he could pray for other sick kids. He bowed his head and he prayed. At first, he prayed slowly, stumbling over the words now and then as though he were searching for just the 'right' thing to say. Then, his words just started to flow. It was a short and simple prayer and I KNOW it reached God's ears and His heart.
Now, this young man didn't pray in the dialect of King James. He didn't pray in tongues. He didn't accentuate specific vowels or 'woop' at the end of his sentences. He didn't break in to song and dance. He didn't cry. He just asked Jesus to 'help sick kids with their sickness and 'stuff' as best as He could'.
Now, we all know that God is capable of doing anything and everything but the prayer of this young boy showed that he might not have known that but it didn't matter. He was giving up his request to Jesus and leaving it there.... in faith.
Listening to this boy pray made me think of young kids when they say their bed time prayers. They've said their good nights, put on their pyjamas, brushed their teeth, given their hugs and kisses and now, they kneel before their beds, eyes closed, hands together, heads bowed, asking Jesus to protect them while they sleep and thanking Him for blessing them and their families.... and, usually, thanking Him for of their nice 'stuff' too. :)
Then, they say their 'AMEN', climb in to bed, cover up and close their eyes and .... wait for it..... SLEEP!
I guess I find this extraordinary, especially these days, because of what's going on in my own life. I've been unemployed for 3 months and am getting no response to any of the job applications and resumés that I've sent out. I have no idea how I'm going to meet rent and bills or food. I pray... throughout the day... several times. I pray at night.. before I (try to) go to sleep. When all is said and done, my body is exhausted but my brain is usually fully awake and, even though I'm ready to sleep, my mind is just getting prepared to start the night's worrying.
I'm usually tired from lack of restful sleep when I wake up the next morning and find myself slipping back to worried, fearful thoughts throughout the day.
How is it that a child can shoot off a quick prayer to God... the Almighty... ABBA, end it with an 'Amen' (which decidedly, to them, means 'end of conversation') and go on about their day having fun and just being?
Father God, help me. Help me to be like a child. Help me to see that it's alright to stumble over my words and not have the exact right thing to say all of the time. Remind me that You see and understand my heart and that You know my words before they are even thoughts formed in my busy mind. Restore my faith, Daddy. The faith I had in the very beginning of our journey together. The faith that allowed me to pray and then to just 'leave it there' for You to deal with, never once considering taking it back and trying to work things out on my own.
Forgive me, Father, for not trusting You completely. For not surredering to Your will, which is ultimately the best for me, even if I don't see it that way most of the time. Remind me that I don't know what's best but that You do. Be tangible to me that I may feel Your presence. Be that still, small, soft, constant voice in my spirit that reminds me that, even though friends and family have abandoned me, You haven't and You won't.
Restore in me, Father God, that child-like faith that You require of us in Your Word. Invade my mind and my spirit with
the love and peace that can only come from You so that it drives out any fear and doubt left in me.
And Abba, may my next prayer to You be:
Dear God
Thank You for today. Thank You for my friends and family and my teacher (boss). I had fun today.
God bless mommy and daddy. God bless Blacky, Buster, Tigger and the birds. God bless Tommy even if he pulled my hair today and hurt my feelings. I might not like him but I know You do.
Thank You, God, for my stuff.
Protect me while I'm sleeping.
Amen.
~~ Peace, LOVE and Happiness ~~
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