jakorte's blog

I keep a prayer pad next to my computer.
Sometimes more than prayers end up on there.
Sometimes I write down song titles or book titles.
Sometimes I write down questions or thoughts provoked by requests.

The other night a request came through from a few states away asking for prayers for the direction a life was taking.
I suppose that should have been easy enough, but I was stumped. Was I to focus on the continued direction or was I supposed to focus on a change of direction? Was the requestor hoping to be led back to GOD or for the necessary strength needed to continue to follow HIM? I wrote it down, knowing I’d ponder more, later.

I wasn’t really thinking about that dilemma when I decided to take advantage of an oxymoronic "nice" winter day and UofM’s free fleet vehicle wash bay. It’s pretty much a drive-thru at your own pace automatic experience. I’ve done it dozens of times. After the soap application there is a 3-4 second delay before the vehicle is engulfed in a high-pressure water storm. There is no way to see where you are going; no moving rails to guide you, just bumpers along both sides. Of course you can always look behind to see where you’ve been.

Out of habit, I checked the driver side mirror and realized – too late – that earlier I had cracked open the rear fin windows to enjoy a balmy breeze. In the few seconds it took to register the error and close the windows, an accumulation of about an inch of water filled every available crevice on either side of the third row seat. The bench ended up a little damp, but the center seat stayed dry. It was a good thing we only had 5 riders that day instead of 7. Otherwise, two sad someone(s) would have ended up with soggy bottoms.

One positive result of my oversight is that the cup holders and arm cubbies are now bereft of build-up. The harsh waters of the wash bay did exactly what they were supposed to do – clean away dirt and debris. Once the super jet air driers did their magic on the windshield, it was once again a clear marked path to the road ahead.

I still don’t know the specifics of the request, but I’ve decided that having that knowledge might just water down the prayer, anyway.
Emotional pain is a spiritual opportunity: a reminder we’ve been given ample space for messages to fill. Until we open up and give the cleansing messages a chance to soak in, our paths will remain unclear.

So that’s what I’ll be praying for: a spiritual carwash.
Here’s hoping your heart’s windows are open for the deluge.

Trust in the LORD with all your heart; and lean not unto your own understanding. Proverbs 3:5

In this issue: intercessory prayer, car washes, cleanliness & godliness, prayeronearth.com
Now posted: New Orleans, October 2009, Papering/Submission & Release.