I cry out
to You,
but
You
do not
answer me.
[Job 30:20]
*******************
(Fold hands.)
(Bow head.)
(Close eyes.)
(Deep sigh.)
(Unfold hands.)
(Grimmace up at
right corner
of the ceiling.)
"What's the USE?"
[PATIENTLY WAITING.]
(Squint upwards.)
(Shout!)
"HEY!"
(Wave arms in the
air.)
(Whistle!)
"Is there ANYBODY
ELSE....I can PRAY TO,
Up THERE?"
(Frown!)
(Stare up at some
spots, on the ceiling,
where a can of black-cherry
soda spurted, two years back.)
"Well......how 'bout,
the ...HOLY SPIRIT?
Is HE BUSY?
Where's....HE?"
"That's
Me,
child."
(Disappointed frown!)
(Face brightens.)
"How about......
JESUS?
Where's JESUS?"
(Sigh.)
(Shout even louder,
to the ceiling spots.)
"I KNOW I
was raised....
JEWISH, and
all! But...MAYBE,
He'll take PITY,
on ME!"
[PATIENT SIGH.]
"Oy Vey 's Mir."
"I don't know...
if we're supposed
to PRAY,
to HIM?
Or
NOT?"
(Clasp plump hands,
reverently.)
(Irritable shout.)
"How's that...
supposed to WORK?"
[PATIENT SILENCE.]
[GAZE DOWN AT
IRRITABLE CHILD
SHOUTING,
AND WAVING
HER HANDS AGAIN.]
"WELL?
This PRAYING STUFF,
is getting NOWHERE!"
[SMILE!]
"You would be
surprised,
Mein kin'der."
"That CAN'T
be...JESUS!
I don't think...
He SPOKE
YIDDISH!"
[CHUCKLE.]
[GAZE PATIENTLY,
AT THE SUMMIT
MEETING GOING ON
IN PITTSBURGH,
PA.]
(Sorrowful squeak.)
"Are,
You UP THERE?"
[TENDER, LOVING
VOICE.]
"Yes,
child.
I AM."
***********************
Until now,
you have asked
nothing
in My Name.
Ask,
and you will
receive,
that your joy
may be full.
[John 16:24]
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