The story that caught my attention this time was how she lovingly cared for a burned man. He was traumatically injured in the 9/11 attacks on the World Trade Center. His injuries were so severe that he was unable to speak. Burns covered the majority of his body.
After failing in all the of the 'traditional' ways to care for this man, Heidi tried something different. Because she knew he and his children adored music and singing together she went to his home. Sitting down with his daughter Heidi recorded her singing to her father. It would be a tape she could play for him in the burn unit.
Yet overcome with 'stage fright' the little girl could not sing. Gently Heidi coaxed the girl's voice out. Eventually the young girl was able to sing the following song: "a, b, c, d, e, f, g. . . " It wasn't much. But Heidi played it over and over for the man, and through broken, bleeding lips, he mouthed 'thank you.'
God asks each of us to be present for our communities. When we hear those words often we think of majestic, massive, transformation moments. We feel an expectation to do great things; to be great disciples. Change many lives.
But maybe, just maybe, as we pray and as we listen to the Holy Spirit speak to us, we might just be able to find a way pray as simply as that little girls singing: 'a, b, c, d, e, f, g. . . ' It was a simple song--perhaps the simplest--yet it changed and touched her father.
The simple prayers and simple acts can have profound impacts on others. I wonder how might you simply pray today?
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