What I Remember

Posted on June 20, 2008
Filed Under Family, Prayer |

Immediately after reading today’s My Utmost For His Highest, I found myself on my knees praying by my bedside for my friends and family. I was on my knees. This was kind of remarkable because I almost never pray on my knees. I pray laying in bed, in the shower, driving, cooking, sitting, but rarely on my knees. While I was down there praying for the people I love in my life, my prayers drifted quite naturally toward my father, and that’s when it struck me . . . the frequency with which I saw him on his knees when I was a child growing up.

There were countless times that I’d rambunctiously enter his bedroom without knocking to be startled into “hush” by the sight of him on his knees by his bed in prayer. I mean it . . . countless times. Sometimes I’d proceed quietly on to handle whatever affair brought me to his room in the first place . . . was it tweezers, Mom’s earrings, his wallet? Other times I’d back out feeling too young or trivial to proceed forward on such holy ground. He would often retreat to that posture without pomp and circumstance, but quietly and having drawn no attention to himself. It’s amazing really that as I knelt before God on behalf of my father this morning I realized seeing him on his knees is perhaps the most consistent memory I have of him.

As I write this, I wonder what my children will remember of me when we all are older. I hope it’s of my singing, dancing, and acting silly. I want their memory of me to be noisy and loud, full of the sounds of song and laughter. Hmmmm.

My father, older and suffering the ravages of prolonged and misused Prednisone, is no longer able to take to his bended knees beside his bed. His body, once strong and powerful, is now pretty limited in its use . . . but I can say with confidence that I know daily, faithfully, and humbly, he still bows his heart in the presence of God and prays, prays, prays.

Romans 1: 8-9

First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for all of you, because your faith is being reported all over the world. God, whom I serve with my whole heart in preaching the gospel of his Son, is my witness how constantly I remember you.

Thanks dad.

Peace and Blessings,

Nicole