I did not expect this change to happen.
I did not expect the emergence of anger to come about.
And I never expected this grief to hit me, so hard.
Yesterday, Brother A asked me to pray. I could not utter the words. Before long, I was a blabbering, sobbing mess. Deep pain.
Today, Bill Bright, founder of Campus Crusade for Christ, prayed a prayer on the radio for his staff members during his final dying days. I started to sob again, tears streaming uncontrollably down my face, my heart wrenching.
I don't understand this grief. So the rest of this post will not make sense. I only want to put down some disconnected thoughts. Perhaps it will come together, later.
When my father died, I went into slow motion. I spoke slowly, smiled slowly, moved slowly. I was numb. Something deep within me also died. But in its place a new freedom birthed:
all that we think is important is not so important after all. And for a little while, I appreciated the grass, the trees, the little everyday conversations of everyday people.
Something within me has died. All those years of pain. The travail. How my father travailed and fought to keep his empire going while he battled his illness. And suddenly, it's all over.
Let the empire crumble now. And let the grasses and flowers and trees and little wild creatures grow all around it. Let the name of the empire be forgotten.It's over. The battle is over.
And I weep.
Years of pain come together, congregating in my chest, and gushing out in heaves through my sobs.
I have nothing left to battle.
And something new has birthed.
When I sob, the pain echoes out of a place of intense thankfulness. How I have travailed over all these years. How I have fought to stay true to my decision not to give in to a homosexual lifestyle. How hard it had been to put on a grown man's face everyday over these years. How tired I am. How good God has been to me all of that time.
Second Timothy Chapter Four Verse Seven.
And now, my crowning glory.
Yet, I am barely able to stand and wear it.
: more sobs :
Brokenness.
How are you doing, boy-soul?
How are YOU doing, champ?I am tired. So tired.
We know.We? Who is we?
Me, boy-soul, and all of your other little childhood selves. We, know. And we are all here.Oh.
We are all here for YOU, champ!Boy-soul, and all my little childhood selves. They look so tall, so grown up, so masculine, so together. And they are here
for me? I don't have to keep up with external appearances to protect them anymore? My inner child(ren) have grown up?
The battle is over. And I sob.
Why did I sob over Bill Bright's prayer?
Because he prayed as a father. Because he prayed over his "sons" in ministry. Because his "sons" were ready to take over the mantle of his ministry. Because he prayed that they will be men of God. MEN of God. And because God wanted you to hear that prayer, and so you did, and you received it, into your heart, oh MAN of God."Father, Father, Holy Father. We bow in reverence before Your majesty. We are in awe of Your greatness. When we think of who You are, we realize how little we are, how small in comparison. And yet even when we were yet in our sins, You died for us. You love us. You delight in us. And I thank You that in Your sovereignty, You chose Dennis and Bob to do what they are doing. And You've anointed them and given them favor, and great blessing. And I ask Holy Father, You'll keep them pure. Keep their motives pure, their hearts pure. Their attitudes, their desires, their actions above reproach. That they, Bob and Dennis, will be MEN OF GOD after Your heart. There will be no sin in their lives that will hinder Your working in and through them. That as they speak day after day, to millions of people--and that number, oh gracious God, I pray will increase by the millions--they will be channels of Your love, Your forgiveness, Your grace to the multitudes of earth. I pray for the day their ministry will literally encircle the globe. Where millions upon millions will be drawn closer to You, will love You, and trust You, and obey You because of their influence. Lord Jesus, bless their families... their families and the children's children's children yet unborn. That they may always love You, serve You, trust You, obey You. And that the legacy of these men will go on and on until You return. Blessed Holy Father, thank You once again for these men whom You've chosen, whom You've anointed, whom You've empowered. And may all glory, honor, worship and praise go to You. For we pray it in the name of the One whose name is above every name, the Lord Jesus Christ, Amen."
[Actual interview and prayer can be downloaded
here.]
I feel the Lord saying to me: Well done, good, faithful, and
broken servant. You are now ready to serve Me.
Anything You want, Lord. I am and have always been Yours. Now more than ever before. Anything You want.
