Vigil

Tonight there are families holding vigil. They are watching the minutes pass as hours and cherishing the seconds as years.

When our #1 son was headed for boot camp two days after high school graduation I stayed awake the entire night. I wasn't about to waste one second while he was still home by sleeping. It was time that couldn't be recovered and I knew there was a finite period of time left. Other families would have the summer to buy sheets for dorm beds; create small pantries of popcorn, mac and cheese, and hot chocolate; and research the newest computer for high-tech papers and contact with home. The Marines only let them bring the clothes on their back, and I heard rumors that they mailed even those few reminders back to their homes. As an ironic plot of the twist, once the recruits arrive at their destination, usually late in the evening, they are not allowed to sleep; their new family not wasting any seconds to indoctrinate the new rules and new way of life.

I know of one family holding vigil because time is limited due to a disease meaner than any Marine drill sergeant ever was. No one could muster the imagination or the force that it would take to reduce an active body to a shadow in five months. The earnest vigil continues through another night where minutes pass as hours, and seconds ripped away as a stolen treasure.

My prayer for the congregation?

Dear God, We pray for those in vigil. We pray that they know of your comfort and love, and that a level of peace can be issued to their anxious minds. We pray that these restless days can be restored to days of connection, days of confirmation, and days of time well spent; that even these days can be seen as a witness of our faith and trust in you, O God, and also can serve as testimony of your deep and true engagement in our lives. We are reminded of the vigil Jesus spent alone while those he trusted slept. Dear God, let us be solid sentries for those who seek our presence and our help. We pray for those in vigil and for those whom vigil is kept. Amen.