Did I hear something?
I once had a coworker who I only casually knew. He was in the Richmond area and I worked a little further north. I believe my first introduction to him was at a meeting when I was the manager of one our stores and he was the manager of another one of our stores. Although we really didn’t get to know each other very well, we both had similar size stores and went through many of the same trials. Eventually, he and I moved into different jobs within the company.
I believe Jim might have been quite a bit older than me. Once you get out of the immediate circle of one group in our company, you rarely hear about those who use to be in your circle. Such was the case with Jim and me. One day I was surprised to learn that Jim had cancer and wasn’t doing too well. Later I learned he was doing better. Still later, I learned the cancer had returned and the outlook didn’t look very promising. I put Jim on my prayer list.
One day we had another meeting in Richmond and both Jim and I were in attendance. During one of the breaks I decided to go over and talk to Jim. I told him that I had been praying for him. Then Jim said the strangest thing. He said, “Yeah, a lot of people tell me that.” I didn’t know what to say after that. Someone else came up to talk to him about something and then I left and went to talk to someone else. Jim would die a short time later.
“Yeah, a lot of people tell me that.” I’ve thought about that comment a lot since Jim uttered it. Most people just say, “Thanks.” Was Jim saying that a lot of people were praying, but it doesn’t do any good, so you are just wasting your time? Was Jim saying a lot of people say that but they aren’t really doing it? Was Jim saying a lot of people don’t know what to say, so that’s their standard line? Was Jim saying, “you have no idea what I’m going through and you think your prayer can be waved in front of me and make me feel better?”
Many of the Presidents talk about the loneliness of the office. Sure they are surrounded by many people. Sure there are countless people who want to see them. Sure they are very popular (or unpopular in some cases). But just being able to get away from all the pressures of the job and do things they enjoy doing is something they really miss. They also miss being with people who don’t want anything from them. Yes, getting away is very hard for them to do.
Early in our history it might have been a little easier to slip out unnoticed into the countryside. Since cameras and videos hadn’t been invented yet, you may even be able to mingle in the crowd and some people might not even know who you are. But there was always the chance someone was going to recognize you. Still, some found it to be a chance worth taking.
He had a beautiful horse named Wildair. Just about every afternoon, between twelve and three, he would love to go riding one of his horses. Wildair must have been one of his favorites. Washington DC wasn’t the big town it is today. He wouldn’t have to travel far until he was in the outskirts. Once he traveled out a little ways, I’m sure he could have slipped in and out of the crowd almost unnoticed when he got a short distance away from the White House.
One day he was riding Wildair on one of his afternoon jaunts. He happened upon a Connecticut Yankee. This gentleman was very impressed with his horse and wanted to make a horse trade with him. He was much too fond of the horse to listen to any offers and eventually the gentleman gave up. It was then the discussion turned toward politics.
“Show us the Father,” were the words he uttered. It probably seemed a little strange that these words came from him. He was one of the Disciples. Odd as it may sound, he is always the fifth Disciple listed when they are all grouped together. Most of the Disciples went by their Jewish names, which was the common practice in that day. He is the only Disciple listed by his Greek name. In fact, I’m not real sure anyone really knows what his Jewish name actually was.
This Disciple was probably one of the stars at the feeding of the five thousand. At least Andrew found a little boy with two fish and five loaves of bread. This Disciple answered Jesus with, “Where in the world are we going to get enough food for all these people?” Jesus already knew the answer. Jesus had already performed other miracles, and was just testing this group, which he called his Disciples. He wanted to see what kind of faith they really had.
The President and the Connecticut Yankee hopped on their horses and continued their discussion on politics. They were headed in a direction back to the White House. The Yankee still did not realize he was talking to the President. Soon the discussion turned to the Yankee’s very negative opinion of the President. He was quite vocal in his opinions, too. The President just smiled and encouraged the man to talk. The President never even defended himself and quite enjoyed the conversation.
As they got closer to the White House the President turned to the Yankee and said, “Well, why don’t we just march in there and tell that old President a thing or two?” The Yankee couldn’t agree more and so they walked right up to the White House. They opened the door and started walking down the hall. As they started passing the servants, the servants all began saying, “Good afternoon, Mr. Jefferson, how are you?” The Yankee’s eyes got real big and he was filled with terror. He darted out of the White House and was never heard from again. I guess President Jefferson never got the repeat lecture in the Oval Office.
“Show us the Father,” were the words Philip uttered in the Upper Room on Jesus’ last night. Jesus was trying to have a serious conversation to let the Disciples know that He would soon be departing them. He was telling them that if they knew Him, they knew the Father. They just didn’t get it, as the comments from Philip show. I am sure Philip had a very good heart and was very curious, but the answer to his request was right in front of him.
“Yeah, a lot of people tell me that,” tumbles around in my mind from time to time. I think the biggest thing I have come to realize is that my prayers are a conversation between God and me. Voicing my efforts to others can often take away from the fact that it is God who does all the work, not me. Don’t get me wrong, some people really need to know that someone cares so much for them that they are willing to send a special request to God in their name. I never stopped praying for Jim, but I am much more discrete in letting others know they are on my prayer list. That way, the truth will be known, it is God who is doing all the work.
Sometimes words echo in our minds a long time after the conversation is over. I think that is a good thing. It’s how we learn what we truly believe. It is also how we learn what we are truly willing to stand up for.
Prayer: Dear Mighty Father, Thank You that You don’t zap me for everything I say. Thank you for giving me the opportunities to learn what I truly believe by having my words haunt my soul until I figure it all out. Amen.
