A Soldier's Prayer

Author...Unknown

I asked for strength that I might achieve - I was made weak that I might learn humbly to obey.

I asked for health that I might do greater things - I was given infirmity that I might do better things.

I asked for riches that I might be happy - I was given poverty that I might be wise.

I asked for power that I might have the praise of men - I was given weakness that I might feel the need of God.

I asked for all things that I might enjoy life - I was given life that I might enjoy all things.

I got nothing that I asked for - but everything I had hoped for.  Almost despite myself, my unspoken prayers were answered.

I am, among all men, most richly blessed!

PACES

By:  Rannie Childress
May, 2004

     The prisoner paces his cell, back and forth -- back and forth -- two, maybe three steps maximum.  His thoughts begin to wander, thoughts from childhood, thoughts of home...and he remembers.

     Questions come fast and furious; questions to himself.  How, why did I end up in this terrifying place?  He thinks...it was all in fun; just having a "good time".

     Where is this God I have heard about all of my life?  How could He allow this to happen to me?  How could He allow the evil I witness in this place?

     The days, weeks, months and the years seem to slip by at an agonizingly slow pace.  The questions persist in his mind...until one lonely night in that dark, dreary cell, the prisoner finally addresses a question to this God he had heard of all his life.  He asks, "God, if you are real, like momma said you are, please give me a better life; if this is all I have to look forward to, please do not let me wake up in the morning".

     The prisoner paces his cell, back and forth, back and forth -- two, maybe three steps maximum.  His thoughts begin to wander, "Why do I continue to wake up each morning?  He begins to ponder this "God thing", and he thinks this God is not real for I continue to wake up in the mornings, or He continues to allow me to wake up each morning because something better awaits.

     The Executive Director paces his office, back and forth, back and forth, ten, maybe twelve steps minimum.  His thoughts begin to wander, thoughts of his days in prison, thoughts of God and he remembers...questions come fast and furious, questions of himself.  How did I end up in this wonderful place?  I asked God to kill me and He gave me life instead.  Where is this God momma said exists?  He is in my heart.  God is in the beautiful sky, in the flowers...God was in that cell where the lonely prisoner paced.

Editors note:  Rannie Childress spent almost 15 years in prison.  He is now the Executive Director of a residential substance abuse program.  He has helped many whose lives were a mess and headed in the wrong direction to change their lives and become honest, upright citizens contributing to the society they live in.