Have ever wished for something all of your life? You may even have prayed for this thing with all of your heart, your soul, and your mind. Do you want it bad enough to go through an incredible amount of pain to get it? Would it keep you alive when you should be dead?
When my oldest brother was born, Pop was serving on a ship in the Pacific during World War II. Pop's father had what would turn out to be a fatal heart attack as he was getting into his car to go see his grandson for the first time. Granddaddy never saw any of Pop's offspring. From that day, Pop resolved he would live long enough to see all of his grandchildren.
Being the youngest, I challenged Pop's resolution to the very limit. Pop was 34 when I was born and I did not have my firstborn son until I was 30. Shortly after he found out I was having twins, Pop was diagnosed with a cancerous tumor in his sinus cavity. For several months, Pop thought he had beaten the cancer but such was not the case.
Now the race was on. Pop had two trips he wanted to make before he died. To him, the most important was to see those twins.
On Memorial Day weekend in 1986, my twins were christened and Pop was there. One of my most cherished pictures is Pop holding a twin in his christening gown above his head. His smile in that picture is one I will never forget. Pop died 6 weeks later.
In Luke 2:22-38, Mary took Jesus with her when she went to the temple for her purification rite 40 days after giving birth. They were simply following Mosaic Law as Jesus would do all of his life.
Like the shepherds, Simeon and Anna were drawn to Jesus. Like Pop, these prophets had waited their entire lives to see the Messiah and everyone in the temple knew it. Jesus was born for common folk like shepherds and faithful Jews willing to recognize Him.
Yesterday was Epiphany. Normally, I would be writing about the Magi but that will have to wait until next week. You see, Simeon and Anna actually played a role behind the scenes when the Magi came to Jerusalem.
What is the lifelong dream in your prayers?
Grace and peace in the power of the Holy Spirit.
(J. Wesley McComb is a published author and a member of Christ Episcopal Church, 1534 7th St, Slidell, 643-4531.)
© by The Slidell Independent newspaper; originally published on January 8, 2010. Used by permission of publisher and author.