Tags
Related Posts
Share This
Old Spice, Lazy-Boy, & Shag Carpet
Ahhh…the smell of Old Spice, the look of a rust-colored velour Lazy-Boy, and the feel of multi-level shag carpet. Although these images may only bring back casual memories of the ’70s for you…to me, they represent a very rich, meaningful, singular image from my childhood…that of my dad, every morning leaning over the arm of the Lazy-Boy in his study praying…with his left hand firmly pushed into the shag carpet and his right armpit resting on the armrest. His prayers were so regular and so intentional that the imprint of his hand couldn’t be pulled up with our Hoover…and that lovely Lazy-Boy was made even lovelier with one armrest encrusted with Old Spice deodorant…seriously. I remember trying to assume that same position with my gangly arms and small hand to see what it was all about.
What I only vaguely understood as a child, I understand better now…which makes the image that much more special. You see, my dad was on his knees daily praying for me and for my brother and sisters…praying through very nasty divorces and difficult custody battles…praying for our salvation, our health, our happiness, our future spouses. Now…today, as a dad myself, not only do I appreciate those prayers even more (and are living some of those answered prayers), I also realize that that singular image of my dad on his knees helped me always know that my dad loved me…through times when I could have chosen to believe otherwise.
Although not a prayer of a father for his son, but close…Genesis 24 tells the story of Eliezer, Abraham’s trusted servant, and his faithful pursuit of finding a wife for Isaac. Eliezer’s love for his master and the depths of his faith in God are clearly demonstrated in his prayer on Abraham’s and Isaac’s behalf found in verses 12-14. Not only through the prayer itself, but the fact that it was the first thing he did when he got to his destination (vs. quickly getting water himself after a long trip across the desert)…indicates the certainty of his belief that God answers prayer…specific prayers. The other cool thing was…not only was it the first thing he did when he got there, it’s also the first thing he did after God answered his prayer with exactness (vs. 26 & 27) …"Praise be to the Lord.
What would happen if we prayed for those we loved with the level of purpose and belief that Eliezer did for Abraham and Isaac? I don’t know exactly what it would look like, but I do know things would be very different…lives would be changed, relationships restored, marriages having an added richness…and God would be glorified. Yes, I earnestly and often pray for my wife and girls…but honestly, I don’t have a sweet smelling Lazy-Boy in my study. It’s my prayer today that my 3 lovely ladies will look back one day and be reminded of my intentional prayers for them with the mere mention a few simple images from their past. Lord help me.
Thank you, Doug, for sharing your heart. Your 3 lovely ladies have the perfect Valentine – a praying man as the head of their household. May God impress on the hearts of all men the importance of praying for their families. I think our prayers and sacrifices produce a sweet smelling aroma pleasing to the Lord, with or without a Lazy-Boy.
Thank you my love! Thank you for sharing this message and thank you for praying intentionally for me and the girls! Lord help me too as I seek to pray intentional prayers for my husband, our girls, our friends and family and all that is important to us.
“Before he had finished praying” wow that is awesome. I hope from this that we all believe that God hears even our groans even unfinished prayers. Thanks Doug
I’m anxious (although am in absolutely no hurry) to see how God answers my prayers for my kid’s future mates. I envision sitting across from a young man someday… perhaps at a Starbucks during a snowy Christmas… and having him ask for one of my daughter’s hand in marriage. I’m praying that at that moment, I’ll see exactly who I’ve been praying for over the years. I’m hoping to have the experience times four.
Thanks Doug. Keep praying.
alan
Doug, I really appreciate you and your father’s heart. Your girls and their children’s children will experience the blessing of your prayers long after you are gone. Prayer really is for the long haul. We want microwave results, but we won’t see some answers to prayer until many years later. We have to believe in God and have faith that He will answer our prayers even if we never experience those answers on earth.
Thanks Doug for sharing this! It has helped me see if my focus on prayer is sharp or blurry and the tremendous legacy at stake. Your Dad’s example is powerful as is yours.
Somethings never change….He still has a lazyboy (maybe the same one), he still wears Old Spice, although I recently bought him some new colonge to replace it. But most importantley each and every morning you can still find your father in similar positions sending the ones he loves to our FATHER in prayer. I think I’ll get rid of the new colonge and replace it with a brand new bottle of Old Spice. Thank you Doug for sharing that memory. I am thankful that some things never change. Blessings, Lili