Elmo Jenkins 4-5-6 by McMillian Moody

Author:McMillian Moody
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: christian, christian fiction, church humor, christian humor, humor about christian living
Publisher: McMillian Moody

14

The Serious Prayer

I leaned back in my desk chair with my hands on my head. “That was some board meeting over at Ackerman last night. I thought Erlene was going to get booted out for sure. I’m really glad Geoff made it back in time for the meeting.”

Elmo blew out a big sigh of relief. “No kidding. Talk about a last-second rescue. But you have to admit for a ninety-five pound, old, old lady, Erlene is incredibly strong— spiritually, emotionally, and even physically. It’s almost supernatural.”

“Actually, it is supernatural. What you have with Erlene Markham is a piece of clay that’s been spinning on the Potter’s wheel for almost a century. God has molded and fashioned, squeezed and formed that lady into a unique vessel He uses in special ways of His choosing. It’s a beautiful thing to behold.”

I chuckled. “Heavy emphasis on the word ‘unique.’ I will say that Miss Erlene can do some serious praying. Ever noticed the thick calluses on her knees?”

“Yes I have. She’s quite a prayer warrior.”

I glanced toward the corner of my desk at a framed photograph of my two sons. “Your comment about serious praying reminds me of a story. When my youngest son Derek was in high school, he started dating a girl named Sheila. She wasn’t what I’d call a parent’s worst nightmare, but she came from a non-Christian home. Her father was an avowed atheist and her mother a lapsed Methodist. As far as I knew, she’d never been to a church. She also appeared to have no moral compass. Not the kind of girl a father wants his son to hook up with.

“Sheila owned her own car, so she drove over to pick up Derek on their first official date. Before they left, I asked if I could pray with them. I’m sure Derek wasn’t totally thrilled with my request, but I was a pastor, and he was my son, and some things needed to be said. I figured this was my one chance to speak some truth into her life before they disappeared into the night.

“Well, I went for it, and did some serious praying. I prayed for her family, I prayed for Sheila to find faith in God, I prayed for her and Derek’s relationship—that they would honor God with their choices. I prayed for their safety while they were out. I was in full power prayer mode, and I felt that God was speaking through me to this young lady.

“When I finally finished with a robust ‘amen,’ Sheila looked up with wonder in her eyes. I thought, man, I’ve just hit a homerun.”

She grinned at Derek and then at me and said, “Wow! That was sooo long.”

“As I watched them pull out of the driveway, I didn’t know if I should laugh or cry.”

Elmo sat up in his chair. “Whatever happened to Sheila?”

I smiled. “Derek eventually led her to the Lord. She’s been my daughter in-law for almost twenty-years. You’ve met her. These days she goes by her middle name, Marlene.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.