Stuff About Things
From Joe Creason, Kentucky columnist for the Louisville Courier—Journal, we glean some prayer stories.
Two nuns who followed their favorite basketball team to the big city, were appalled by the heavy traffic. One said, You drive, and Ill pray.
But the other responded, Whats the matter; dont you trust my praying?
And I liked the one about the old mountain man who prayed, Lord, I dont ask for a faith that would move yonder mountain. I can take enough dynamite and move it if it needs moving. What I pray for, Lord, is enough faith to move me.
Have you noticed that a large percentage of the humorous stories with religious circumstances have to do with prayer, baptism, etc.? I suppose this is because of the incongruity of the situation — something out of place in what should be a sober and serious matter. We may censure the boorish person who, with disrespect, makes fun of sacred things; and yet appreciate the true-to-life incidents that inject a smile into a situation, without being frivolous.
Sometimes we may catch ourselves in the midst of laughter and, with reflection, realize that what is funny to the outsider may be seriously meaningful to the participant. I once heard a farmer pray, Lord, shuck and silk us of our sins! The strange and humorous wording, to a city man, was meaningful and sincere to those who had cleaned many a roasting-ear.
Fortunately, we fully believe that God understands the hearts of both poor and exact grammarians. Consider the petition, God, bless all who are sick of this congregation! Well, the sick need our prayers — and perhaps those sick of this congregation are even more in need of assistance. None are so ill as those who run a fever in their caustic attack upon others.
And theres the story of the nervous woman in an airplane, who, on being caught in a thunderstorm, turned for aid and comfort to a preacher who happened to be sitting in the seat next to hers.
Cant you do something? she demanded forcefully.
Sorry, madam, he replied gently. Im in sales, not management.