We formed a circle in the concourse for a little prayer before Bekah and Josh left for their week in Mexico and our’s with our granddaughter. One of us wasn’t in the mood and Makaleigh Shaye, while in her mother’s arms, repeatedly kicked me on or near the groin while my wife prayed about safety and protection. I hoped for those things, but they weren’t my supplications.
I’m all for prayer; I know well how it can bring comfort, especially when the prostrate need it. But I also know the play-book is silent on prayer averting tragedy. Planes go down, cars wreck, diseases creep, mistakes happen, and plenty of it occurs under the heavy blankets of prayer. It’s the way of this world; there’s plenty of pain, enough to go around. Everybody dies, most folks before their loved ones are ready, even more before they are…not to mention the despair that everything but death brings.
And when tragedy exhales, someone has to be strength. There has to be a shoulder, a rational thought, a spark of hope, an eye on the sunrise. And that isn’t easy when loved ones are grieving, when in the grip of grief.
In fact, nothing less than Herculean faith, courage, and strength will scaffold a father when the possibilities my wife prayed against become realities. So that’s what I prayed for; not the life I want, but acceptance and endurance in life I get.
I’m all for prayer; I know well how it can bring comfort, especially when the prostrate need it. But I also know the play-book is silent on prayer averting tragedy. Planes go down, cars wreck, diseases creep, mistakes happen, and plenty of it occurs under the heavy blankets of prayer. It’s the way of this world; there’s plenty of pain, enough to go around. Everybody dies, most folks before their loved ones are ready, even more before they are…not to mention the despair that everything but death brings.
And when tragedy exhales, someone has to be strength. There has to be a shoulder, a rational thought, a spark of hope, an eye on the sunrise. And that isn’t easy when loved ones are grieving, when in the grip of grief.
In fact, nothing less than Herculean faith, courage, and strength will scaffold a father when the possibilities my wife prayed against become realities. So that’s what I prayed for; not the life I want, but acceptance and endurance in life I get.
Happy Father's Day.
Amen.
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