I Pray

You hear it all the time. "I'll pray for you," or "You're in my prayers." I've tried to make a practice to put these words into action. When a friend asks me to pray for them, I do. Usually on the spot. If someone I know on social media asks for prayers, you will find me with my head bent at my computer screen, praying.

That's not to say I am an expert at prayer, far from it. My prayers are short, often disjointed. They sometimes feel forced and completely unnatural. But I pray.

I pray because I believe God loves us and wants only good for us. I pray because He has given us free will and we manage to abuse it. I pray because we are so far from perfect. I pray because I need to share my joy when I am happy and my hurt in times of pain. I pray because I believe God works in me and I need to open myself listen to him.

So why am I telling you all this?

Well, last night Ryan came downstairs to ask me something and found me sitting on the floor with my head bowed and hands clasped together.

"I'll be with you in a minute," I told him. "I'm praying right now."

"Why are you praying?" he asked.

I looked up at my sweet son, took a breath and answered, "I'm praying because it's been a really awful week in our country. Another black man was shot and killed by police officers. A 13 year old boy was killed by police officers here in our very own city. This morning an 11 year old boy was hit by a car while walking to school and he died. Tonight a toddler - only 2 or 3 years old - drowned in a pool near where I work.  I don't know any of these people, but I'm praying for their families because I know they are hurting. I am praying that God wraps His arms around their families and helps them through this horrible time. I am praying that they feel His love in the middle of their sadness. I am praying that, over time, they will feel peace." 

Ryan walked over to me and placed his hands on my shoulders. "Those are good things to pray for," he said. "I pray that too."

There was more I was praying about as Ryan walked back up the stairs. I prayed that God would give me the strength and courage to do more than pray, but to act as well. It's been an awful time in our country recently and I pray be part of a change for good.

Put Down the Duckie if You Want to Play the Saxophone

The above video is one of my all time favorite Sesame Street songs. And yes, I am 42 years old and I have favorite Sesame Street songs. Why do I feel the need to share this with you? Well, as of Wednesday night, we have a saxophone student in the house!

Duane and I have been encouraging Wesley to pick up a band instrument at school this year. While 4th and 5th graders are allowed to take strings (and we couldn't convince him to try the violin last year), only 5th graders are allowed to take band.  Wesley has been very resistant to the idea. We told him that is is very likely that he'll have to choose between band and choir in middle school, and since he dislikes choir, it would be good to get a head start on band. He said no. We told him that several of his friends were planning to do it. He said no. We told him that he's taken ukulele for several years and perhaps it would be good to try something new. He said no. We finally threw the information paper away Tuesday night. After all, it's not like we'd be able to force him to practice anyway.

Wednesday, the mom of Wesley's best friend (and a good friend of mine) confided to me that Wesley told her son he thought he made the wrong decision about band, but was afraid he wasn't going to be good at an instrument. She passed this information along to me after school. I'm really glad she did because the parent meeting and instrument fitting (do or die day for registration) was WEDNESDAY NIGHT!

Duane took Wesley to the information session and had him try out a couple of instruments. At first Wesley thought he'd like to play flute, but after trying it and the saxophone, he settled on the sax.  Full confession: this information secretly thrilled me as 1) it's the instrument I have always kind of wish I learned and 2) it's what I was hoping he'd pick. Duane said that Wesley actually managed to get a note or two out of it when he tried it and that the way he held it looked almost natural.

We went last night to rent the instrument and I think it's darn near killing Wesley to leave it in the case until his first class on Wednesday, even though the teacher specifically said not to try to play it at home yet.  I'm happy he's excited to try it and even more happy that he's willing to try something new. And bonus points for continuing a family tradition as his Grandpa P, 2 of his great aunts, and a great uncle have also played sax.

Put down the duckie (or bear in Wesley's case) and play that saxophone!