Apparently I am not the only one who writes while traveling. On her way home from Ecumenical Advocacy Days, my friend Joann Lee wrote a powerful prayer that addresses her personal situation and expresses universal realities at the same time. Here are some excerpts:
Dear God,
There are so many moments when I am grateful that I am not pregnant and without children:
- Every time I gorge myself on sushi and beer or enjoy a glass of scotch in the evening, I give you thanks;
…
But God, despite all these blessings, I still really, really want to be pregnant, have a baby, and raise children.
Sometimes, I feel like those formerly barren matriarchs of the Bible:
- like Hannah who prayed fervently in the temple, asking, as if drunk, for a child, seeking refuge in her faith and bargaining her child’s future profession in exchange for answered prayers – like Hannah, I say, “Me, too, God. I’ll force my child into ministry, too, if that’s what it takes!” [note: Joann is an ordained teaching elder in the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)]
…
Because I just want so much to…
- to see two lines on that plastic pregnancy test, and since we’ve already experienced that, to then also hear a heartbeat on the ultrasound and witness a healthy baby being born;
…
I want all these things, God. But in the mean time, I’ll continue to eat sushi, drink scotch, travel, and be grateful. Because this, too, is a blessing.
Amen.
Check out Joann’s whole prayer.
I stand in awe of her grace and courage, faith and hope. I hold her and Mike in my prayers in this season of waiting. I pray for all who yearn for a child. I pray that all children experience love. May it be so.
See you along the Trail.
Along the Graybeard Trail 