THE LORD'S PRAYER-
********* Our Father Who Art In Heaven. Yes? Don't interrupt me. I'm praying. But -- you called ME! Called you? No, I didn't call you... I'm praying. Our Father who art in Heaven. There -- you did it again! Did what? Called ME. You said, "Our Father who art in Heaven" Well, here I am...What's on your mind? But I didn't mean anything by it. I was, you know, just saying my prayers for the day. I always say the Lord's Prayer. It makes me feel good, kind of like fulfilling a duty. Well, all right. Go on. Okay, Hallowed be thy name . Hold it right there. What do you mean by that? By what? By "Hallowed be thy name"? It means, it means .. . good grief, I don't know what it means. How in the world should I know? It's just a part of the prayer. By the way, what does it mean? It means honored, holy, wonderful. Hey, that makes sense... I never thought about what 'hallowed' meant before. Thanks. Thy Kingdom come,Thy will be done,on earth as it is in Heaven. Do you really mean that? Sure, why not? What are you doing about it? Doing? Why, nothing, I guess. I just think it would be kind of neat if you got control, of everything down here like you have up there. We're kinda in a mess down here you now. Yes, I know; but, have I got control of you? Well, I go to church.. That isn't what I asked you. What about your bad temper? You've really got a problem there, you know. And then there's the way you spend your money -- all on yourself. And what about the kind of books you read ? Now hold on just a minute! Stop picking on me! I'm just as good as some of the rest of those People at church! Excuse ME.. I thought you were praying for my will to be done.. If that is to happen, it will have to start with the ones who are praying for it. Like you -- for example .... Oh, all right. I guess I do have some hang-ups. Now that you mention it, I could probably name some others. So could I. I haven't thought about it very much until now, but I really would like to cut out some of those things. I would like to, you know, be really free. Good. Now we're getting somewhere. We'll work together -- You and ME. I'm proud of You. Look, Lord, if you don't mind, I need to finish up here. This is taking a lot longer than it usually does. Give us this day, our daily bread. You need to cut out the bread..You're overweight as it is. Hey, wait a minute! What is this? Here I was doing my religious duty, and all of a sudden you break in and remind me of all my hang-ups. Praying is a dangerous thing. You just might get what you ask for. Remember, you called ME -- and here I am. It's too late to stop now. Keep praying. ( pause .. . ) Well, go on. I'm scared to. Scared? Of what? I know what you'll say. Try ME. Forgive us our sins, as we forgive those who sin against us. What about Ann? See? I knew it! I knew you would bring her up! Why, Lord, she's told lies about me, spread stories. She never paid back the money she owes me..I've sworn to get even with her! But -- your prayer -- What about your prayer? I didn't -- mean it.. Well, at least you're honest. But, it's quite a load carrying around all that bitterness and resentment isn't it? Yes, but I'll feel better as soon as I get even with her. Boy, have I got some plans for her. She'll wish she had never been born. No, you won't feel any better. You'll feel worse. Revenge isn't sweet. You know how unhappy you are -- Well, I can change that. You can? How? Forgive Ann. Then, I'll forgive you; And the hate and the sin, will be Ann's problem -- not yours. You will have settled the problem as far as you are concerned. Oh, you know, you're right. You always are. And more than I want revenge, I want to be right with You . . (sigh). All right, all right . . I forgive her. There now! Wonderful! How do you feel? Hmmmm. Well, not bad. Not bad at all! In fact, I feel pretty great! You know, I don't think I'll go to bed uptight tonight. I haven't been getting much rest, you know. Yeah, I know. But, you're not through with your prayer, are you? Go on. Oh, all right. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. Good! Good! I'll do that. Just don't put yourself in a place where you can be tempted. What do you mean by that? You know what I mean. Yeah. I know.. Okay. Go ahead. Finish your prayer. For Thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory forever. Amen. Do you know what would bring me glory? What would really make me happy? No, but I'd like to know. I want to please you now... I've really made a mess of things.. I want to truly follow you.... I can see now how great that would be. So, tell me . . . How do I make you happy? YOU just did". ____________ _________ _________ |
I look back now, and look forward now, and see the ripples of all that God has done. He has not only changed OUR lives and the lives of our children (those here and those to come), but I have seen Him work in other people's lives, to stretch them beyond where they would ever have been before, and I have seen them richly blessed. I am so humbled to be a witness of God's loving power. He loves us all so much, He cares for us all so much. We walk through lots of roads with Him, many of those challenging and daunting, but they are so rewarding, and God molds us each step of the way. I have to admit, lots of the molding doesn't feel good - a friend recently reminded me of the refining process of gold and that this is what God is doing with us, if we choose to allow it. I remember praying as a child and young woman that I could somehow impact the world. Just in my own corner, but to impact it and leave a mark somehow. Somehow, as youngsters we think that this means that we will be famous, or known professionally, or something like that. Now, I see impact that I never imagined. My greatest joy is to see fruit in my children's lives, as they will go on to lead lives that hopefully will continue to bless others. And when someone tells me that we impacted them in some way, that is huge joy. Our goal in some ways is to assist anyone we can, we have been blessed to walk the adoption road with other families, the diabetes road with some, to walk the life road with others, and to assist where we can. I hope we always can be honest about the imperfect people we are, the joy we try to take in life and family, and our faith in our Lord. We are far from perfect. Come visit my house some days and you will see laundry waiting, some things not put away, and all sorts of activity (currently there are piles of horse show equipment and show clothes on the dining room table after our return from a show yesterday! We were so tired after a very long day - but successful! Kiley placed fourth in one of her classes, a huge accomplishment for her and so encouraging! And in the living room are the bins with summer clothes that the kids brought up for me yesterday while I was gone so I can sort through them today and make a list of who needs what for the summer that has finally come!).
And on other news! Dossier should go to Ethiopia next week! Homestudy appointments almost done - we have one on next Monday and then she visits the house to see the new bedroom for the girls. The bedroom is going full steam ahead this week too!!!!! I don't know what any of this means for timelines, but any forward progress is huge!!! It feels like we have been puttering at things and now it is moving! Thank you dear Lord! So, now we will just keep working! It has been wonderful decluttering and thinning down, and all funds from that go right into the fund.
Now if my washing machine would only work..... Oh, well, at least there is a great laundromat right near where the boys have driver's ed!!!! LOL! God provides!
Have a wonderful day!!!
"For I know the plans I have for you, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans for hope and a future." Jeremiah 29:11
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