Coop's Corner |
November 2004 |
The Power Of Prayer
It is still October as I sit down to write this (Robin and her deadlines!). I am in the midst of preparing my mother's memorial service and initially this was the last thing I wanted to do. But as I reflected on it - I realized that this is exactly what I want to do. First, I want to thank all of you who have sent cards, emails, and phoned your condolences. I am blessed to be part of a church family that really cares about one another. I was honestly blown away by how many of you took the time to offer comfort and support.
It is hard losing a parent, especially when it comes out of the blue. My mom was in such good health and she was so active. She was a very, very young 88. But then again, you are never really ready to lose someone you love.
When she had her stroke and we didn't know whether she would be able to pull out of it or not or even how extensive the lingering results of the stroke might be, I prayed for a miracle. I wanted my mom to live. I wanted to be able to see her smile and hear her laugh and put my arms around her and tell her I loved her.
I prayed for a miracle … and God gave me one. It is so amazing how God answers prayer. Not always as we would like and often not as we expect. God took my mother home when it was very possible and probable that she could have lived. God heard my prayer and the end came quickly and she was no longer in pain and, as importantly, she was not faced with the indignity of a life where her quality of life would have been greatly impaired - something my mother would of abhorred. I prayed for the miracle of life and got the miracle of eternal life.
My mom is in a great place now. Sure, I still would prefer to have her with me … but God is not nearly as selfish as I am and certainly knew the longing of my heart. That longing was that my mom, whatever happened would be ok… and she is.
The power of prayer is an awesome and remarkable power. We don't understand it and we probably won't until that day when we join my mom and all those who have preceded us in death.
And maybe, that makes it all the more remarkable. Maybe it is enough to know that God loves us and that God wants what is best for us (even when we may not know what that is ourselves). And God wants to hear from us and be in relationship with us and laugh with us and cry with us. That happens when we take the time to talk to God.
I am grateful for the miracle of prayer. I am thankful that God loves me more than I can understand. Sometimes the way God loves me is perplexing, but knowing God knows best is reassuring and comforting.
My prayer is that each of us will experience the power of prayer, the power of relationship with God in our daily lives. May each of us be so blessed!
Thank you again for your love and for being my extended family.
Pastor Tom |
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