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But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you. And when you pray, do not keep on babbling like pagans, for they think they will be heard because of their many words. Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him.
-Matthew 6:6-8
One of the times I was here from Japan, I was complaining about something in my life to my parents and grandmother. I was clearly upset and went back to the guest room where I stay, and a few minutes later, I heard this light knocking on my door. I was still groveling about whatever it was, and so responded with a short, “What do you want?”. A few moments later, the door slowly opened, and there was my grandmother. She looked at me and said, “Take it to your heavenly Father,” and then closed the door and walked away without saying anything else.
Many of you knew my grandmother, Evamay. She was like a third parent to me, going to all my piano lessons, driving me to and from church every week, and picking me up from school all the time. We had a special bond, and she modeled to me what it means to be a committed, active member of a church. Comments from some of you in the past few weeks have reminded me of just how deep and abiding of a faith she had. Her response to most situations was rooted in her faith. Whenever I was mad or upset about something, she would tell me to pray about it. It was never what I wanted to hear at the time, but she was right, of course.
I often get lost in my emotional response and forget to ask God for help. I need to be reminded constantly of what Jesus, and his faithful disciple, Evamay, said. “Take it to your heavenly Father.” We live in difficult times, and on top of that, we are in a time of transition here at JCPC. Add to that our own personal grief, struggles, and injustices, and it can be hard to get through the day. God listens to us when we pray, and comforts us in our pain. I want to follow along the well-worn path my grandmother took before me and live a life of unshaking, firm faith and regular prayer. Let’s all come together as a church, sincerely take every issue and concern to God in prayer, and faithfully work to build a better, stronger, deeper community of faith.
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