“Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends.” John 15:13 ESV
What a friend we have in Jesus
All our sins and griefs to bear
What a privilege to carry
Everything to God in prayer — Joseph M. Scriven
She was abandoned, this beautiful Siamese cat, close to my home. She’s a beautiful seal point with eyes the color of azure water. And I can’t get close to her. I feed her. I talk to her. But the look in her eyes and the readiness to bolt is there. She’s been traumatized, no doubt. Maybe I should set a trap but she’s so fragile, I don’t have the heart yet. She has food, water and shelter along with me making kitty noises and talking softly.
Aren’t we that way with our Father? The friend that is closer than a brother. There are just some things we don’t confess, we don’t name, we won’t even take a peek. We act like the poor Siamese I’m fostering.
Trauma, shame, failure, grief, doubt, build a firewall around the most intimate friendship we could ever have. It took me weeks of agony before I confessed my doubt to the Father. And the shame! How could I have doubt when I knew deep in my bones that I believe? How could my Father allow my husband to suffer so much before he died? Then the shooting in Texas—19 children slaughtered. Evil. There is so much evil in this world. I blame evil. We take this to our Father too with prayers of wordless tears, powerless actions and, let’s face it, doubt.
And we have each other too. Our Father made us to desire connection and belonging so we can encourage, comfort, teach, problem-solve and just love each other on this fragile, treacherous, unforgiving journey. Let’s continue to pray for each other and thank our Father too. Ultimately, he carries it all.
Musings
“Boldly go to the Throne of Grace,” we are commanded. “Draw close to God and he will draw close to you.” No matter how threatening, disturbing, frightening the situation, may we draw close to our Father and to each other looking for our rescue.
Prayer
Dear Father,
We live in troubled times, all of history is troubled. Help us to approach you with confidence and thanks. We know you hear our prayers. Help us to remember you know everything and confession is good for our souls. Let us pray for each other, give thanks for each other and especially give thanks to you for your son. Help us to bear all things, believe all things, hops all things, endure all things in love
Amen.
Prayers and Musings of a Black Sheep 