Mom Heart Moments #193

He always lives to intercede for [us].

THE FOLLOWING TALE FROM my Celtic prayer book has been a great comfort to me.

Two men sought wisdom from an educated, kind old monk who was reputed to be a man of great character, distinguished in his devotion to Scripture. Arriving at the seacoast town, they left their ship and climbed the long hill to the monastery. Several days were invested in spiritual conversations as the men pondered God’s nature and presence and the essence of true spirituality. With full souls, they bid farewell to the wizened old monk, heading toward the ship that would take them back home. With hearts overflowing, they gratefully planned how they would apply such wisdom in their daily lives in their hometown.

Almost as soon as the giant ship left the small port, a raging storm gathered. Lightning flashed with thunder filling the air, and the ship swayed back and forth, the captain straining to keep it afloat amidst the crashing waves. In terror, the two men peered through the dark, blowing mists, searching for the lights of home fires burning near the shore. Suddenly, they saw a shadowy figure emerge from the door of the monastery and realized it was the old monk, looking out upon the ship at sea, and that he fell to the soaking ground on knees and began, in a posture of prayer, calling out to God passionately.

After a very short interlude, the sea softened its rage, and the sailors were able to come back to the safety of the port. The monk, it seems, had dedicated his heart and strength and devoted cries to God for the safety of those who had so recently been in his charge.

Let us follow the monk’s example, as we devote ourselves to encouraging our children in the things of God, and also praying them though the storms of life that are sure to come.