Eighty-one year old Clarence Blackmon is an Army veteran. Blackmon also
has cancer.
Recently, upon returning to his North Carolina
apartment after a hospital stay, Blackmon found his cupboards were bare,
as was his pantry, his refrigerator, and freezer. With his stomach
making earthquaky sounds, he contacted local stores, but they refused to
deliver until he had made a deposit, something he was physically unable
to do.
In desperation, Blackmon called 911. Talking to dispatcher
Marilyn Hinson, he said, "I can't get out of my chair. What I need is
someone to get to the grocery store and bring me some food because I
need to eat something."
Hinson might have given Blackmon a
lecture on the proper use of 911. She might have told him that he should
contact some local food banks. She might have encouraged Blackmon to
hire a taxi, which could stop and pick up the groceries for 115-pound
Blackmon.
Hinson did none of those things.
No, what Hinson
thought was this: he's hungry and I've been hungry. Remembering her
tough times, Hinson went out, bought and delivered the food herself. The
story of Blackmon started to make the rounds. Soon more groceries began
showing up. There was enough to fill his shelves and be shared with the
local food banks. But there's more. A home nurse was scheduled to show
up twice a week to make sure Blackmon is okay.
According to the
doctor, the nurse won't be calling on Blackmon for too long. He has been
given less than six months to live. To that he replies, "... the doctor
doesn't know, and I don't know ... only God knows and I thank God I'm
still here."
Now this is the point in the devotion where I'm
supposed to give you something to think about. The problem is there are
so many ways we could go. For example, we could talk about Jesus' words,
"Even as you have done good to the least of these, my brethren, you have
done good to Me" (see Matthew 25:31-40). Or we could spend some time
discussing Paul's statement: "I have learned the secret of facing plenty
and hunger, abundance and need. I can do all things through Him who
strengthens me" (Philippians 4:12b-13).
Instead, I would like to
point out Blackmon has groceries because he asked for them. In that
spirit I call your attention to the text at the top of our devotion.
James is quite blunt when he tells his fellow believers, "You don't have
because you do not ask." We may sing, "Take it to the Lord in prayer,"
but all too often we forget to ask the Lord for specific things we need.
True, in such matters we most certainly ought to pray, "Not my will, but
Your will be done" (Luke 22:42b).
But we also need to remember
that the Lord, who sent His Son to do all that was necessary to forgive
and save us, is also waiting to hear our prayers, which praise, thank
and, yes, make requests of Him.
THE PRAYER: Dear Lord, it is
right and proper for us to come to You in prayer. You are our Creator,
Benefactor, Redeemer and Guide. In large matters and small may we make
our requests known to You. In the Savior's Name I ask it. Amen.
Pastor Ken Klaus
Lutheran Hour Ministries
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