73. Prayers

I have to get it out there. I don’t want to make a big deal, but I know I have to tell him.

He’s going to be leaving pretty soon. The last couple of days have been good. Strange but good. Okay—really, really strange, but also pretty good.

And I just know I need to tell him.

It goes something like this.

“Hey, Dad.”

“Yeah?” He’s reading USA Today like he always did at home. But this time he moves the paper away so I have his full attention.

Mom’s gone grocery shopping but will be coming back before he leaves. That’s another reason why now’s the right time.

“I just wanted to let you know something.”

But I’m not sure how to let you know. It seems private and personal and nobody else’s business.

But it’s Dad’s business because it’s partly due to Dad.

“What is it?” he asks.

“I just—the stuff about you and being a Christian and all that. I’m—I mean it’s okay. It’s all right now.”

He looks puzzled and smiles and nods. I’m babbling, and I know it.

“No, what I want to say is that I—that I believe. That I’m—things have changed. Between God and me. For the better.”

Dad’s face changes. He looks glad. Surprised but glad.

“I’m happy to hear that,” he says.

I nod and shrug, and now I want to just get away. I could say more, but I don’t really know what to say. I don’t know how to say it because I’m not sure what to do and how to do it and how this whole thing—

“Chris?”

“Yeah.”

“Just keep praying, asking for God’s guidance. When I suddenly opened my eyes and saw the world in a whole new light, it was overwhelming. But don’t let it be too overwhelming. Be happy. Be thankful. Know that there’s more to this world than just the here and now. There’s more than just this life.”

“I think I tell myself that everyday. Mostly because I hate Solitary.”

Dad laughs. He doesn’t realize I’m serious. “Prayer works, Chris. I know. I’ve been praying for you guys ever since you left. I’ve been praying that God will bring both of you to Him. And back to me.”

He doesn’t finish by saying it’s happened and that we’re going to drive off into the sunset and live happily ever after. Even Dad knows better than to say that.

But I don’t need him to say any more.

Dad prayed, and God heard those prayers.

Somehow, God brought Mom and me closer to Him.

Maybe not in the way I would have chosen, but it happened.