The Early Present

We sat cross-legged on the floor, arms lifted up, hands held together as if in prayer. One of my siblings' head is bowed. The rest of us faced my dad, a half-circle of pleading children, begging to open just one present. He stood looking down on us with his hands on his hips, right thumb hooked to the corner of his pants pocket. The tinseled Christmas tree smiled at his back. Six stockings, our own actually, not the red-and-white felt kind, hung on the white mantle. This is a picture of my own family I like to display during the holidays. It was taken eons ago, when kids played in the park all day long. Without fear of gangs. When our minds were preoccupied with the amazing brand new black-and-white television sitting in the living room. We had not heard of the Internet or held a cell phone in the palm of our hands. Texting was not an option. However, the basic needs remained the same. We weren't in charge. We had a father who was. He held the power to say yes or no. Our Christmas present was already wrapped with great love, but we were still his children and needed to ask his permission. We might have even begged. Please, Daddy, please. This past week I found myself in a similar position, head and hands raised toward heaven, lips moving feverishly, petitioning God to help my niece. I knew I had to go directly to the Father and plead our case. We enlisted prayers from friends, co-workers, family, church members, anyone who listened. We shouted at heaven to heal our loved one. Have mercy, we are really scared. Yesterday she was moved from the ICU and hopefully on the road to a full recovery. I have found nothing more glorious in this life than when my Father bends His ear down to listen, and allows us the opportunity to experience His grace to the fullest measure. And like a child who bolts toward the tree on Christmas morning, I eagerly received my present, although a wee bit early. My niece's sister posted on Facebook- She is awake! Yes, I thought, and God never sleeps. Meister Eckhart wrote, "The most important prayer in the world is just two words long: 'Thank You.'"