A Little Girl's Prayer

Tuesday mornings at Fort Valley Methodist Church are typically a review, a time to rehash the prior Sunday's Worship Service and to catch up on what's happening in the life of our congregation. The offering gets counted and, at some point, Angela Meeks, our Administrative Assistant, goes through the Connection Cards to see if we had any new guests or if someone has shared new information or a prayer concern. It's the routine, holy stuff of a church office.

I got permission from Vincent and Destiny Edwards to share the card to the left. Reading it from top to bottom, the first thing that jumps out is Ama Kid and the name, Kailyn Edwards. She's ten years old, thus the parental permission part. I met Kailyn and her family shortly after I came to Fort Valley in June 2022, and they've been part of our congregation for close to three years. Kailyn has seven siblings and she lives just two houses from our church. I love standing at the back door of our Education Building and watching the herd of young Edwards headed over for Sunday School.

Now, what about her prayer request? Let's break it into two parts.

I pray for pastor's wife that she is OK (I helped a little with spelling there). On the Sunday that I shared the news of my beloved having Alzheimer's, the congregation responded by surrounding us in prayer at the front of the sanctuary. I felt strong, tender hands on our shoulders as several people prayed aloud. As we finished, I felt a tug on my suit coat and looked down to see Kailyn, her eyes brimming with tears even though I'm sure she's too young to really grasp the realities of a dementia diagnosis. "I'm going to pray for your wife," she told me.

So she does. I don't know how often, but I'm certain that regularly the Lord hears a petition with Regina's name attached to it. I'm going to cling to that truth no matter how dark or lonely the days ahead become. Kailyn Edwards, my little prayer warrior, is taking my green-eyed beauty to heaven's throne. What a comfort!

And I pray that Ms. Tot is having a good time in heaven. Ms. Tot Martin was a 94 year old retired nurse and a fixture in our church, one I could count on seeing pretty much every Sunday until her health turned late last year. She and Kailyn had a special friendship, one marked by Kailyn sitting with her many Sundays and always by Kailyn finding her before the service so they could hug and catch up. One of the most beautiful sights I've seen in church was watching Ms. Tot hold a hymnal to share with Kailyn and then seeing the two of them reciting The Apostle's Creed together. Now that's a sacred moment!

When Ms. Tot was in the hospital and facing several procedures and treatments, she spoke of her concern for how Kailyn was doing. Likewise, Kailyn found me on Sunday morning to ask about Ms. Tot and I remember how she cried when she found out that her friend might not return for quite a while. She had me take a handmade card to Ms. Tot's hospital room and I wish I had a picture of the two of them when I used my phone for them to FaceTime each other that Sunday afternoon.

But that doesn't compare to the first Sunday Ms. Tot's daughter brought her to church after she'd gotten out of the hospital. Some will say that it's inappropriate to run in a sanctuary, but when you see a child all but sprinting to reach a woman ten times her age - and you realize the woman would be running, too, if she could - then you know it's not only appropriate, but holy.

Ms. Tot died in February. Kailyn came to the funeral and I'm convinced that every Sunday since she looks at the empty pew and remembers a woman who loved her dearly. Thus, when she says her prayers, she lifts that special lady up as only a child can. What simple, extraordinary faith coupled with unending love and affection!

Now you know why I love church and Sunday mornings so much. I've got a front row seat to glimpses of heaven and my wife is on a little girl's prayer list. What could be better than that?