Just got off the phone with Anna. She's in Pittsburgh with her brother, Delane. He faces fourteen hours of surgery tomorrow, from 7am-9pm EST. From what I could tell her mother, Mary, Delane and Anna, herself, were all facing tomorrow matter-of-factly. They don't seem too focused on its ominous presence. Perhaps they have the right mindset. Or perhaps they're more concerned about Delane's wife, Terri, with her and Delane's newborn, Lucas, and Dad and brother-in-law, travelling through the snow-blanketed north-central U. S. They expect them in tonight late.
Me, I've been pretty anxious for them all. This evening, venerating icons, lighting candles, and offering intercessions, helped. I like the final petition of the Troparia of Thanksgiving: "Now that the day hath run its course, I praise thee, O Holy One, and I ask that the evening with the night may be undisturbed; grant this to me (us), O Saviour, and save me (us)." Followed by twelve "Lord, have mercy." Even in my anxiousness, I cannot come to God but by way of humility.
For those readers so inclined, do offer a prayer for Delane, for his family, for Anna. And pray for me, a sinner.
Posted by Clifton at February 17, 2003 01:31 PM | TrackBack