Friday, February 24, 2012

Daddy preaches and prays

Sunday after Sunday, I remember my daddy preaching Jesus.
But I also remember a few sermons ending abruptly as a straggling visitor eased into the back pew.

Mid-stream, daddy would switch gears and rapidly wind up the morning's message with a simple, "Thank you for coming this morning.  If you want to know more about Jesus and His love, please meet me at the back door.  Bro. So-and-So, please dismiss us in prayer."

If I tried to glance behind me, my mama would slide her arm around my shoulders to prevent further disruption.

It didn't happen often, but when it did, I knew why.

When they came, Daddy didn't offer an invitation to join the church. It would be too awkward. For everyone. Instead, he had a list of church names where they would be more comfortable worshipping with "their own kind."

Jesus could be shared all day long, but not our pews, and definitely not our lives.
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I only had a few minutes left, but mama said I needed to talk with daddy before I hung up.  

Daddy said, "Early every morning, I spend time in prayer with the Lord. Praying for each of you kids and your families by name and by situation.

"This morning when I prayed for you, I asked God to be quick. 

"If this adoption was His will, not just for your family but for our entire family, for Him to answer quickly. 

"We all need off this roller coaster and for things to be resolved one way or the other.  That's what I prayed this morning.

"I got your text, but I couldn't read what the picture of the email said.  

"So when your mother told me it said YOU HAVE BEEN SELECTED AS THE FOREVER FAMILY FOR B----, Q----, J----, & D----, I knew God had answered before I even prayed.

"There are no more questions.  I don't have to ask God if this is RIGHT or not anymore.  I can't question what He's already answered.  

"God always answers my prayers, but He's never answered that quick before.

"I'm excited for ya'll, but I want you to know that I'm excited for me.  I'm excited about God bringing these 4 into my family to love and share Jesus with!"
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As parents, we get to watch the changing formation of our child's character and beliefs, those things crafted from moments we claim proudly and others we wish we could erase.

But it's a rare and precious jewel for a child to witness the same in a parent.  

And I have.


3 comments:

  1. This is wonderful! Rare indeed! A rarity that I too hope to witness in my very own.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Beautiful story! Truly beautiful! Thank you so much for the invitation to spend a few moments here this morning!

    ReplyDelete

 
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