my.escape

martes, abril 08, 2003

[ 60. Sars Hols Day 12: The Lord's Prayer ]

Our Father who art in Heaven. . . .

Yes?

Don't interrupt me. I'm praying. . . .

But you called Me.

Called you? I didn't call you. I'm praying. Our Father who art in
Heaven.

There, you did it again.

Did what?

Called Me. You said, "Our Father who art in Heaven. . . " Here I
am. What's on your mind?

But I didn't mean anything by it. I was, you know, just saying my
prayers for the day. I always say the Lord's Prayer. It makes me
feel good, kind of like getting my duty done.

All right. Go on.

Hallowed be thy name.

Hold it. What do you mean by that?

By what?

By "Hallowed be thy name."

It means.... it means ....good grief, I don't know what it means.
How should I know? It's just part of the prayer. By the way, what
does it mean?

It means "honored," "Holy," "Wonderful."

Hey, that makes sense. I never thought about what "Hallowed"
meant before.

Thy Kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in Heaven.

Do you really mean that?

Sure, why not?

What are you going to do about it?

Doing? Nothing, I guess. I just think it would be neat if you got
control of everything down here like you have up there.

Have I got control of you?

Well, I go to church.

That isn't what I asked you. What about that habit of lust you have?
And your bad temper? You've really got a problem there, you
know. And then there's the way you spend your money...all on
yourself. And what about the kinds of books you read?

Stop picking on me! I'm just as good as some of the rest of those
phonies at the church.

Excuse me....I thought you were praying for My will to be done. If
that is to happen, it will have to start with the ones who are praying
for it. Like you, for example.

Oh, all right! I guess I do have some hang-ups. Now that you
mention it, I could probably name some others.

So could I.

I haven't thought about it until now, but I really would like to cut
out some of those things. I'd like to, you know, be really free.

Good, now we're getting somewhere. We'll work together. . .you
and I can have some victories that can truly be won. I'm proud of
you.

Look, Lord, I need to finish up here. This is taking a lot longer
than it usually does. . . .Give us this day our daily bread.

You need to cut down on the bread too... You're overweight as it
is.

Hey, wait a minute! What is this, "Criticize Me Day?" Here I was
doing my religious duty, and all of a sudden You break in and
remind me of all my hang-ups.

Praying is a dangerous thing. You could wind up changed, you
know. That's what I'm trying to get across to you. You called me,
and here I am. It's too late to stop now. Keep on praying. I'm
interested in the next part of your prayer. . . .Well, go on.

I'm scared to.

Scared? Of what?

I know what you'll say.

Try Me and see.

Forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us.

What about Sally?

See I knew it! I knew you would bring her up! Why she's told lies
about me, cheated me out of money. She never paid back that debt
she owes me. I've sworn to get even.

But your prayer. . . .What about your prayer?

I didn't mean it.

Well, at least you're honest. But it's not much fun carrying the load
of bitterness around inside is it?

No, but I'll feel better as soon as I get even. Boy, have I made some
plans for ol' Sally! She'll wish she never did me any harm.

You won't feel any better. You'll feel worse. Revenge isn't sweet.
Think of how unhappy you are already. But I can change all that.

You can? How?

Forgive Sally. Then I'll forgive you. Then the hate and sin will be
Sally's problem and not yours. You may lose the money, but you
will settle your heart.

But Lord, I can't forgive Sally.

Then I can't forgive you.

Oh, you're right! You always are. And more than I want revenge on
Sally, I want to be right with You. All right! I forgive her. Help her
to find the right road in life, Lord. She's bound to be awfully
miserable, now that I think about it. Some way, some how, show
her the right way.

There now! How do you feel?

Hmmm. . .not bad. Not bad at all, In fact I feel pretty great. You
know, I don't think I'll have to go to bed uptight tonight for the first
time since I can't remember. Maybe I won't be so tired from now
on because I'm not getting enough rest.

You're not through with your prayer. . .Go on.

Oh, all right. . .And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from
evil.

Good. . .good. I'll do that. Just don't put yourself in a place where
you can be tempted.

What do you mean by that?

Quit hanging around the wrong places, watching inappropriate
movies and television, listening to sinful conversations; getting
into compromising situations. Change some of your friendships.
Some of your so-called friends are beginning to get to you. They'll
have you completely involved in wrong things before long. Don't
be fooled. They advertise they're having fun, but for you it would
be ruin. Don't use me for an escape hatch.

I don't understand.

Sure you do. You've done it lots of times. You get caught in a bad
situation, you get into trouble and then you come running to me.
"Lord, help me out of this mess, and I promise you I'll never do it
again." You remember some of those bargains you tried to make
with me?

Yes, and I'm ashamed, Lord. I really am.

Which bargains are you remembering?

Well, when the lady next door saw me backing away from the
infamous pub. I'd told my girlfriend I was going town with my friends. I
remember telling you, "Lord, don't let her tell my girlfriend where I've
been. I promise I'll be in church every Sunday."

She didn't tell your girlfriend, but you didn't keep your promise, did
you?

I'm sorry Lord, I really am. Up until now I thought if I just prayed
the Lord's prayer everyday, then I could do what I liked. I didn't
expect anything to happen like it did.

Go ahead. Finish your prayer.

Oh yes....For Thine is the kingdom and the power, and the glory
forever and forever. Amen.

Do you know what would bring me glory? What would make me
really happy?

No, but I'd like to know. I want to please You. I can see what a
mess I've made out of my life, and I can see how great it would be
to really be one of Your followers.

You just answered the question.

I did?

Yes, the one thing that would bring me glory is to have people like
you truly love me. And I can see that happening between us. Now
that some of these old sins are exposed and out of the way, well,
there's no telling what we can do together.

Lord, let's see what we can make of me, OK?

Yes, let's see. . .

Shannon left at 12:12 a. m..

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gone.

will i be back?
i don't know.
maybe i've started elsewhere.
maybe never. again.

martes, abril 08, 2003

[ 60. Sars Hols Day 12: The Lord's Prayer ]

the guy

his wishes

his horizons

people.

tags

gone. will i be back? i don't know. maybe i've started elsewhere. maybe never. again.

martes, abril 08, 2003

[ 60. Sars Hols Day 12: The Lord's Prayer ]

the guy

his wishes

his horizons

people.

tags

gone.

will i be back?
i don't know.
maybe i've started elsewhere.
maybe never. again.