My Book of Uncommon Prayer: God of the Silences
August 3, ’13 sunset
I have gotten the call and seen my beloved’s mangled motorcycle that once was shiny and new. I have seen is grey limp body wheeled quickly down sterile corriders as I moved in shadows and fog.
I have opened the email with shocking words of a denial of faith, ever more sorrowing over the distance, each word a pierce and a weight.
I have stood by the side of the road, barely breathing, as firefighters reclaimed my boy’s broken body with Jaws of Life. And I have helplessly watched him medivac-ed away by air to a trauma unit full of strangers when all I wanted was to hold him.
I have sung tearful songs, holding my Father’s hand, waiting for that last breath, wondering why so much pain for a life so well-lived.
And I have spread ashes to the wind of my wee firstborn . . . so is it unrealistic to fear . . . to conjure up in my imagination all the what-ifs in what often appears to be a Russian-roulette kind of life?
How does my devout life, invested totally in You, meet head to head and heart to heart with the broken life, with crumpled expectations–this broken life that would cry for intervention and often reap silences.
God of the silences, help.
Help me cling when I feel I am slipping away.
Show me the shimmers behind doubt that keep me pressing on when my fists are clenched and my soul weeps.
Forgive the anger–but a word of sure hope would be a help.
If faith is substance, the tangible, concrete stuff of things hoped for, I am needing a fistful to fill this gaping hole of fear.
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“In You, oh Lord, do I take refuge; let me never be put to shame; in Your righteousness deliver me!” ~~Psalm 31:1 (ESV)
Oh Ms. Lilly...so moving, bringing tears, my heart moved to compassion and a 'burden' settled deep into my heart to come alongside and lift you in prayer....
ReplyDeleteHold on, dear sister...even when you are in the 'silence'; remember Job, when HE didn't understand and he spoke, "Though HE slay me, yet will I trust HIM."
THE LORD JESUS has placed 'others' on the sidelines lifting you in prayer and cheering you on to endure the 'night'...for joy comes in the 'morning'. You are loved!
Thank you, Patsy. What do people do who have no hope?
DeleteI don't know! A most horrible reality!
ReplyDeleteI love how you plead with such 'raw' brokenness, a genuine heartcr;, revealing you're empty, but you refuse to let go because you know, that IS your true life-line....a faith tested, to come forth as gold because it is SURE and unwavering.