Prayers Needed

Life is full of things that are unfair. People with good intentions for spending the millions don’t win the lottery. Major traffic exists on the interstate the morning we have a big meeting. The grocery store no longer carries our favorite cereal.

But while there is some injustice about all of these things occurring (this is where you are suppose to laugh), I have to say that I’ve been humbled this week by the news of two families dealing with situations that have changed their lives forever.The first is within my own. My cousin Tammie is 34 and is married with 2 children, Ashlyn, 11 and Owen, 5. They are a wonderful family. I admire my cousin a lot for the values that shape her life and the way she and her husband Brian have sought to raise their children. But, here’s what is unfair: she’s having her second open heart surgery today!

Apparently, Tammie was born with a heart valve problem that no one detected until 6 months ago when she was suddenly short of breathe all the time. Her doctors reccommended open heart surgery to fix the problem, but apparently it didn’t take. So, she’s back where she started in the hospital again today in Tennessee. If you think of it, offer some prayers for Tammie. She is a woman of great faith who is at peace about whatever happens to her, but she is just one of those people that you want to see living till they are old and gray because you know there’s no limit to the goodness their lives shine on earth.

The second situation is within a friend of mine’s family. She got a call on Tuesday afternoon that her 27 year old cousin was killed in a car wreck. Twenty-seven! When a parent looses a child, the universe seems out of wack. These things just shouldn’t occur! So, I ask prayers for this friend of mine as she grieves and seeks to be a presence of God’s love to her family, but also for this mother and father, grandmother, grandfather who have lost their beloved.

Life-threatening sickness and death make me angry. But as people of faith, at least we have the confidence that we can speak freely to the One who hears, loves and pursues us even still. I believe prayers are important just because God listens. So if you think of it, offer some prayers today for these among the multitudes of others that need a Presence of hope during such times as these.