Certainty?

We've been doing a lot of deep reflection- so instead, here's a practical nuts and bolts update for all of you through Kirby's eyes...

Pop's doing pretty well, all things considered. The past few days, he's often sitting up in his rocking chair, nibbling bites of food and sipping on tea, water, juice, milk, Pepsi and even a little home-brewed beer from the Clark family!

He feels like the bed is sort of a "ball and chain" so he lies down when he needs to catch naps in between countless beautifully meaningful visits with family and friends.  We've been showered with all sorts of loving calls, texts, emails, cards, flowers and gifts including a 12 pack of Pepsi from Tristan!

He is on a constant feed of pain meds through a "pick"- a permanent IV inserted through a large vein in the upper arm. The dosage is set so he doesn't feel pain but doesn't feel like a zombie either.  His little "magic box" (the digital pain med dispenser) has a little green button that we can push if he starts to feel a little discomfort.  He only has us hit that button a few times a day.

Ok, end of nuts and bolts update.  Back to a little more reflection...

There are a few things in life that are certain.  Perhaps the two most notorious certainties are death and taxes.

I have recently been fascinated by the idea of certainty.  In honor of Al my Pal I'd like to pontificate a tad on that...

It is absolutely certain that Al Britton is going to die.

But it is also certain that I am going to die.

And YOU are going to die.

So why is it that death seems to surprise people so much?  We never seem to be ready for it and it rarely occurs without surprise, even shock and confusion.  Death doesn't seem to make any sense- even though we sorta know it's a certainty.

What is NOT certain is WHEN death will come. It is uncertain for all of us- EVEN FOR AL.  I've lived enough years to know that when doctors estimate how long "someone has to live" they are pretty much blowing smoke.  Some people die earlier and some people live years and even decades beyond when they were "supposed to die."

So here's what I'm suggesting.  Why should we agree with any kind of timing given to us for our lives or for Pop's life?  The timing isn't certain, so let's treat it like it should be- UNcertain.

Therefore, what is it that we are praying for?  Do we now take on an attitude of resignation, where we talk about Al as though he's already gone?  Do we agree to the timing that the doctors have "prophesied" over him?

Well, I for one, will not resign. I will not agree.  And I'm smiling in my defiance.  I'm going to leave a LOT of room in my thinking to allow for the possibility of the miraculous.

Why is there a tendency to switch to some sort of resigned prayer when people hear from a natural source (like a doctor) that somebody is going to die?  Instead of "LORD please heal him" do we now switch to something like "oh well I guess you don't want to heal him" or "I guess he's more needed in heaven than on earth?"

Well, I don't. And I won't.

Maybe it's because people don't want to run the risk of being disappointed with God.  But the only alternative is to withhold praying for what we actually desire.

I think our Father God truly cares about our heart's desire, so why shouldn't I ask Him for what I truly desire with childlike faith?  I shouldn't try to determine His answer before I even ask.  And His answer won't change my perception of Him anyway.

"It is impossible to grow in faith unless you have something to overcome. Life is about how we meet problems, difficulties and adversity and how we rise up and surmount such obstacles.  An authentic life in the spirit requires both training and proving." -Graham Cooke

Pop extracts some honey a few years ago.