Hoping or Asking

I think I may have surprised a few of my fellow church council members when I was tasked with offering the ending prayer at our recent meeting. In fact, I'm pretty sure of it because I also surprised myself a bit.

In praying for a fellow council member's friend, who was just diagnosed with cancer, I invoked a plea to God that "we hope that you will send your healing..." That may have sounded different than asking, but even so, hope is still asking; it's just an admission that it might not be granted. Nevertheless it was an honest use of the word, and I think God does appreciate our honesty. Revelation 3:16 states: "So, because you are lukewarm—neither hot nor cold—I am about to spit you out of my mouth." (NIV) There may be a few liberties taken with my interpretation, but how's that for telling us that we should make a decision and be truthful about it? 

We've all asked for something in prayer and the answer was "no." In fact one of the most difficult things to grasp, I think, is John 14:13: "And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son." (NIV) We could ask to win the lottery, find a better job, or even a cure for cancer, but it obviously depends on what the request is rather than how we make it.

I've never prayed harder or more fervently than asking God for a miracle to heal my husband who was terminally ill. Unfortunately, the answer to that was "no," and it is still a difficult decision to accept. On the other hand, I have beseeched God for other things and received affirmative answers.

In the end, I have resigned myself to really asking for God's will rather than mine, but I still hope His will is what I ask. As I've mentioned in a previous blog, I know there are some things that we cannot change, even with prayer. God has a plan, and nothing will interfere with it. That may sound a bit pragmatic, but I still believe that it is right and expected that we should pray, ask and hope.

I also believe God wants us to rely on Him and to realize that His wisdom is far greater than ours. He will help us to make lemonade out of the lemons that befall us if we let him. For me, it was taking the biggest tragedy of my life in losing my husband and leading me to a deeper faith, and giving me a catharsis as a writer - evidence of both which you are now reading.

A Great Win-Win Offer

I love it when businesses do things right, and whenever that happens, I like to share it. It’s important to acknowledge and reinforce good behavior because it not only rewards the business and people representing it, but it ensures good future behavior as well. Even the Bible seems to address how important it can be to acknowledge what is right and good although I readily admit I’m probably taking some liberty with its intended meaning: Proverbs 15:23 states: A man finds joy in giving an apt reply – and how good is a timely word!

I am referring now to Hy-Vee grocery stories because there is a benefit for everyone with on-line shopping. For a mere $2.95, you can place an order online and then retrieve your groceries through the drive-thru during the hour block you choose. You must give a certain amount of time before picking up your items, but what a convenience this is for many of us! Delivery is just $4.95 and you can also choose the time that is convenient for you to receive it. (Tips are accepted for delivery, but generally not for pick-up). If you don't have Hy-Vee stores in your area, you might mention it to the grocery store where you shop. Competition often results in improvement.

The fees are now less than I paid some time ago for the same service. Apparently, Hy-Vee has discovered what a win-win situation this is for their business as well as the customers. More people might purchase from them because of this inexpensive service, and more people will benefit from it. Whether it’s a matter of convenience or much needed assistance, it’s definitely a plus, and one I intend to use a lot this summer.

A Tribute to George

Anyone who has read my book, Simple Things to Make This World a Better Place, is familiar with the section that offers 20 things one can do for those who have just lost someone close. But sometimes more is required, hence this tribute to George.

Upon learning of his passing that occurred last Friday, I immediately said a prayer for his wife Beth. There are marriages where you absolutely know God’s blessing was at hand, and theirs was one. I recognized it from my own experience, and I will be forever grateful to have had my wonderful husband on my life’s journey.

Just like my husband Steve, George was a genuinely caring and wonderful human being. He and Beth were one of the reasons I managed to survive my loss. They quickly came to my aid for anything, including helping me to move, fix a tire, and even hanging the draperies in my bedroom.  But they did something even greater for me - they invited me to a weekly Bible study group that provided a nice social outlet where I could strengthen my faith and grow spiritually.

Besides being a wonderful lector, cantor and choir member in our church, as well as a retired professor and former school board member, George was just one of those people you could easily trust and like. He lived his faith well, and participated in countless efforts to improve the life of others. Yes, the world truly lost a special person, and I’m sure everyone who knew him is very much aware of that fact.

In the coming days, I know it will be difficult for those who loved George not to have his physical presence, but I also know that this is the time when faith becomes most important. It is the hope to see our loved ones again and never to be parted for all eternity. I pray peace for his family with that affirmation.

Truly, George will be missed and he serves as a reminder, like many others who’ve gone before us, that we should all leave this world with a little void. As an old Indian saying goes, “When you were born, you cried and the world rejoiced. Live your life so that when you die, the world cries and you rejoice."

Rest in peace, dear George, and may God say to you, “Well done, good and faithful servant.”