Prayers

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And to keep me
from being too elated
by the abundance of revelations,
a thorn was given me in the flesh....
[2 Corinthians 12:7]
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"What was it, Lord:
indigestion?"

"What, child?"

"THIS; I've heard this
before, about the three
times: in Bible studies."

"Tell Me, child."

"Well, about Saul - I mean -
Paul - asking you to relieve
his indigestion; but, You
kept refusing him."

[PATIENT NOD]
"Read, child."

"Well, it just goes on:

...a messenger of Satan,
to harass me,
to keep me from being
too elated.
[2 Corinthians 12:7]

I disagree, Lord.
You can be really elated
or happy,
and still have bad
indigestion. What
does elated mean here:
so, he didn't become
too FULL 'a himself?"

"Child, what is this about?"

"Are You asking me to explain
this Scripture......or, to tell
You what's really bothering
me?"

[SMILE]
"Perhaps both, My precious."

(laugh)
"Touche`, Lord!"

[PATIENT SILENCE]

"Well, why should we feel
sorry for THIS guy?
So WHAT?
Wasn't he, like, REALLY
BAD, before You hit him
with that lightening bolt?
So......big deal; all of us'
got physical problems;
why did he think HE
was so special?"

[MORE PATIENT SILENCE.]

"I don't like this guy, anyway."

"Yes, child.
I know."

"How come You let him
WRITE so much in Your BOOK?
I don't understand;
didn't he used 'ta KILL people?"

"Yes, child."

"Well, I don't care WHAT
his name was; he SHOULD've
had bad indigestion, Lord!"

"Perhaps it was more than that."

"SO? Too bad; tough.
So? Big deal!"

[SMILE.]
"Speak your mind, child."

"What was it; he had
bad EYEsight?
So, big deal;
I've been wearin' glasses,
since I was two.
Join the club!"

"Have you ever prayed
for something, My child?"

"Sure; LOTS 'a times!
You usually say NO."

[INFINITELY PATIENT SILENCE]

"Anyhow, I think a lot of
this stuff we pray for,
is really just common sense.
I mean, what did he think:
that his eyesight was, like,
gonn'a get better with AGE?"

"You're angry, child."

"SO? So, what if I am?
What do YOU care?"

"You think I don't love you."

(silence)
(more silence)
"I think You're very cold,
and distant: in outer space."

"I'm right here, child."

"I don't believe You.
You're off somewhere.....
with all the PERFECT people."

"I have never left your side."

(tearful silence)

"I love you, child."
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Three times
I besought the Lord about this,
that it should leave me;
but He said to me,
My grace is sufficient for you,
for My power
is made perfect
in weakness.
[2 Corinthians 12:8-9]

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