Day 97 - September 20 - Prayer and responses

Yesterday was a difficult day. The whole concept of moving from one part of the hospital to another is rife with anxiety, frustration, uncertainty, and fear. Not exactly the fruits of the Spirit, and so stress abounds - stress between family members, stress between us and the staff, stress at the situation - and eventually our circuit breakers trip and we say things we don't mean, or do things we regret, and all while the nonbelievers around us are watching. You can almost feel their heads shaking - "So, they're not any different from the rest of us".

And it's true - we aren't. The only thing that makes us act any different than anyone else in this situation is that God's strength is manifested in us when we are weak - we believe God has ordained this situation for His purposes, which are to ultimately bring Him glory and to conform us to the image of Christ. So we have a different viewpoint, or at least we try to. But when days like yesterday happen, we overload.

When I overload, my prayer life devolves into "Lord help us Lord help us Lord help us", over and over again. That's where I was yesterday evening, and so I grabbed my iPhone and fired up an electronic Bible I've been using, which has daily readings available. I clicked over to the daily reading for the day, which had two Old Testament passages and one from the New Testament - Luke 11. I pulled up Luke 11 and began to read:

Now Jesus was praying in a certain place, and when he finished, one of his disciples said to him, "Lord, teach us to pray, as John taught his disciples." And he said to them, "When you pray, say:

"Father, hallowed be your name. Your kingdom come. Give us each day our daily bread, and forgive us our sins, for we ourselves forgive everyone who is indebted to us. And lead us not into temptation."

And he said to them, "Which of you who has a friend will go to him at midnight and say to him, 'Friend, lend me three loaves, for a friend of mine has arrived on a journey, and I have nothing to set before him'; and he will answer from within, 'Do not bother me; the door is now shut, and my children are with me in bed. I cannot get up and give you anything'? I tell you, though he will not get up and give him anything because he is his friend, yet because of his impudence he will rise and give him whatever he needs. And I tell you, ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks it will be opened. What father among you, if his son asks for a fish, will instead of a fish give him a serpent; or if he asks for an egg, will give him a scorpion? If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will the heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!"

This is not coincidental, although many will label it so. What this is called is providential - God brings the right words from His Word to the right ears at the right times. And so we continue to lift up our requests, knowing that God has not only NOT told us "no", but also keeps reminding us to ask. Father, restore my son, for Your glory. Amen.

Connor had a busy day with rehab for the first day. Please pray that he will adjust to the new routines and requirements, and that he will respond gracefully to the staff. There are a number of very bitter, unpleasant patients in this unit, and we desire to reflect Christ effectively here. Please pray for us to have the grace, faith, and love to do so to the other patients and staff around us. Pray that people will see Christ in Connor and in our family during our stay here.

Tomorrow, 9/21/08, is "Q". I've been waiting for weeks...

"Quintessential" - (adj.) Representing the perfect example of a class or quality.

Have fun finding another one!

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