Rich was asked to present the Chapel service at the Lutheran Hour Ministries headquarters on 9-27-12
Why?
Why?
1 Peter 3: 15
“…Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have.”
I had been preparing for months for the arrival of our first born. The ladies in the town predicted we would have a girl, based solely on food cravings, fetal heart rate and the weather – but we hedged our bets – choosing neutral colors and designs. The ultrasound certainty was still years away for us.
Walls, ceiling and floor of an old bedroom were transformed into a cacophony of pastels suitable for a Richie or a Rebecca.
I painted Charlie Brown on the crib and Lucy on the dresser. We bought bumper pads, a high chair, a car seat and a bassinet. All preparations were in place when she awoke me with the words – It’s time.”
It is amazing how one’s mind turns to jelly when confronted with those words for the first time. I called the doctor – reaching him on the third try – first I called my office, secondly my pastor – who really appreciated being awakened at 3:00 AM. (I knew those numbers by heart.)
I remembered my wife’s bag and was pulling out of the garage when she called from the front porch – reminding me I had to take her with.
I blew through the only stop light in town and arrived at the emergency room door to be met by a nurse and a wheel chair. I suggested that they might be better used for my wife.
I parked and went to the office to register while the nurse took my wife wherever they take wives. I gave them my information – having remembered to bring the insurance card and took my place in the dad’s room – a smoked filled place of dads waiting for news.
Soon a serious looking nurse poked head head into the room and called my name. Dads cheered for me and clapped me on the back with congratulations. The nurse rushed me down the hall and stopped me in front of the operating room door.
“There was a problem with the delivery – we have to perform an emergency c-section. Can you sign these papers? You can wait over there and we will call y9ou when the surgery is over.”
That wasn’t part of the plan.
I glanced over the papers – routine she said – permission needed – all I could see was “…complications … death” I wasn’t prepared for that.
She tapped her foot and urged me on, “We really need your permission.”
I signed and sat in the chair assigned.
Alone with my thoughts, I could only think of one word – “Why?”
No one had given me the “Why” – I knew the what – but was frightened – I wanted to know the why.
Hours later I was shown my son – sleeping quietly in his incubator – and was able to hold my wife’s hand as the tears flowed she asked me questions – ending with the
why?
I wasn’t prepared for that.
As my son grew he was joined by brothers and a sister – and each of them in turn asked me uncounted questions – but the one that caused me to hesitate was the
dreaded “Why?”
AT first it was fun –
Eat your peas
Why
Because they are good for you
Why
Because they have vitamins and healthy stuff
Why
Because they are organically grown
Why
Because we can’t afford weed killer
Why
Because I am a Lutheran school teacher
Why
Because I love kids
Why
Because
Why
Eat your peas
Why
Because Mom said
OK
As the kids grew the why questions became more serious – why do the other kids pick on me?
Why can’t I wear makeup until I’m 32?
Why are you and mommy mad?
Why do I have to go to church?
Today the kids are grown and have kids of their own – but the why questions still come –
Why do my friends get cancer and die?
Why can God let people suffer?
Why do you do what you do?
Why do you have hope?
“…Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have.”
I wrestle with some of the why questions – but others are fun to answer
Like
Why do I look forward to work?
Ad lib answer
Another one
Why do I go to church?
Ad lib answer
And
Why do I have hope?
Ad lib answer
Conclusion – whys will never stop
“…Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have.”
prayer
1 Peter 3: 15
“…Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have.”
I had been preparing for months for the arrival of our first born. The ladies in the town predicted we would have a girl, based solely on food cravings, fetal heart rate and the weather – but we hedged our bets – choosing neutral colors and designs. The ultrasound certainty was still years away for us.
Walls, ceiling and floor of an old bedroom were transformed into a cacophony of pastels suitable for a Richie or a Rebecca.
I painted Charlie Brown on the crib and Lucy on the dresser. We bought bumper pads, a high chair, a car seat and a bassinet. All preparations were in place when she awoke me with the words – It’s time.”
It is amazing how one’s mind turns to jelly when confronted with those words for the first time. I called the doctor – reaching him on the third try – first I called my office, secondly my pastor – who really appreciated being awakened at 3:00 AM. (I knew those numbers by heart.)
I remembered my wife’s bag and was pulling out of the garage when she called from the front porch – reminding me I had to take her with.
I blew through the only stop light in town and arrived at the emergency room door to be met by a nurse and a wheel chair. I suggested that they might be better used for my wife.
I parked and went to the office to register while the nurse took my wife wherever they take wives. I gave them my information – having remembered to bring the insurance card and took my place in the dad’s room – a smoked filled place of dads waiting for news.
Soon a serious looking nurse poked head head into the room and called my name. Dads cheered for me and clapped me on the back with congratulations. The nurse rushed me down the hall and stopped me in front of the operating room door.
“There was a problem with the delivery – we have to perform an emergency c-section. Can you sign these papers? You can wait over there and we will call y9ou when the surgery is over.”
That wasn’t part of the plan.
I glanced over the papers – routine she said – permission needed – all I could see was “…complications … death” I wasn’t prepared for that.
She tapped her foot and urged me on, “We really need your permission.”
I signed and sat in the chair assigned.
Alone with my thoughts, I could only think of one word – “Why?”
No one had given me the “Why” – I knew the what – but was frightened – I wanted to know the why.
Hours later I was shown my son – sleeping quietly in his incubator – and was able to hold my wife’s hand as the tears flowed she asked me questions – ending with the
why?
I wasn’t prepared for that.
As my son grew he was joined by brothers and a sister – and each of them in turn asked me uncounted questions – but the one that caused me to hesitate was the
dreaded “Why?”
AT first it was fun –
Eat your peas
Why
Because they are good for you
Why
Because they have vitamins and healthy stuff
Why
Because they are organically grown
Why
Because we can’t afford weed killer
Why
Because I am a Lutheran school teacher
Why
Because I love kids
Why
Because
Why
Eat your peas
Why
Because Mom said
OK
As the kids grew the why questions became more serious – why do the other kids pick on me?
Why can’t I wear makeup until I’m 32?
Why are you and mommy mad?
Why do I have to go to church?
Today the kids are grown and have kids of their own – but the why questions still come –
Why do my friends get cancer and die?
Why can God let people suffer?
Why do you do what you do?
Why do you have hope?
“…Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have.”
I wrestle with some of the why questions – but others are fun to answer
Like
Why do I look forward to work?
Ad lib answer
Another one
Why do I go to church?
Ad lib answer
And
Why do I have hope?
Ad lib answer
Conclusion – whys will never stop
“…Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have.”
prayer