Forward Movement is an official, non-profit agency of the Episcopal Church whose mission is to create compelling content for Christian living. Since 1935 we have published the quarterly devotional Forward Day by Day, as well as pamphlets, booklets, and books that encourage and nourish people in their lives of prayer and faith.
SATURDAY, July 18
Psalm 30. Then you hid your face, and I was filled with fear.
For the first forty years of my life, my faith was unchallenged. Certainly there had been many ups and downs and changes in the course of life. But at every turn, twist, and bump, I pegged my faith unquestioned. I was the mountain in the psalm, completely secure and undisturbed.
The moment of my greatest faith challenge is still vivid, now almost thirteen years later. It stemmed from a prayer request I had made of God, believing it would be answered according to my wishes, for the protection of a loved one. When I learned that, in fact, this person had not been protected from harm, my faith was kicked in the gut. I was breathless.
God hid his face from me and my faithless weeks were terrifying.
How wise it was of the priest I consulted to assure me that God's face was hidden because he wept with me. God's eyes and mine were blurred with tears.
It now is the morning after that time of weeping and much joy has come from that period, both for me and the loved one. "Therefore, my heart sings to you without ceasing."
PRAY for the Diocese of St. Andrew's Dunkeld and Dunblane (Scotland)
Ps 32 * 42, 43; 1 Samuel 22:1-23; Acts 13:26-43; Mark 3:19b-35
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Immediately, mom made arrangements for my little brother, and she and dad flew from Washington, DC, to my first hospital in New York City. With the help of the computer, dad found the best neurosurgeon in the world to treat me. I am told that that good MD used no surgery on my head or brain. Instead, he used massive doses of steroids and morphine to treat the swelling and pain in my brain.
The following September, as slow and child-like as I was, I returned to Exeter. On June 4, 1995, I graduated in good academic standing from that school. At her final service with us, Rev. Janice Marie Robinson held me tight and reassured me that God would never let me go. So it is.