For you, I am lifting a nearly ten-year God embargo, I wrote. And then I prayed.
I prayed for my sweet friends, their babies and the long, long life they deserve to have together. I prayed even though I’m notsure mine actually count anymore. Not being surewho’s on the receiving end, or how much of a difference I believe mymutterings will even make, I feel like a phony. A fair weather friend.
When Phil called me on Tuesday, he did not tell me he was having heart surgery on Thursday. Why? Because Phil is not like me. He doesn’t think about himself on a continual and relentless basis. In fact, he was calling me to help his better half with some sort of publicity piece, to check on my dating life, and to bug me about writing a book – conversation that did not hint at the complications ahead of him.
Last night, after Stephanie and I talked worst case scenarios, I packed an overnight bag and made arrangements to leave work early the next day. Just in case. I cracked jokes with Phil about vibrating hospital beds and fervently hoped that the prayers of an non-believer would count for a little something. Or, at the very least, not come with attached penalties.
Update: I will leave the lengthier explanations to Stephanie, but Phil is home and recovering. Thank you for your kindness, Internet Strangers.
Praying for Phil and Stephanie and their family and the doctors and the surgery (and you). Let us know how it turns out, kiddo.
God at least knows that you know that he’s the man. or THE man or the MAN. =) Wishing all the best to your friends.
God hears all prayers, for sure.
But just for you, I am a WAY believer and I will pray too. Keep us posted.
As a reader of both you and Greek Tragedy, I’m glad to see that Stephanie has you there to hold her hand.
God would rather you turn back to Him period. Luckily for us, God is all loving and never holds a grudge. He’ll be glad to hear from you.
I’ve been praying for them too, and I will continue to do so throughout the day.
Keep faith that He can do it, and your prayers will carry all they need. Loyalty and love, thats all thats needed; and you have it.
Well not to go all new-agey on you, but I believe the specifics of the receiving end aren’t as important as the fact that a conscience effort of good thoughts is being made. Keep sending the strength, and they’ll definitely get it. I *love* your blogging, btw!
I am a believer and all I can say that the prayers of the non-believer are pretty powerful. If you claim to be a non-believer and pray anyway, He will listen because your heart is calling, not just your words.
H, i know SK probably doesn’t remember who i am but i’d like her to know that i am thinking about their family. i am glad she has someone like you who can go be with her at such an emotional time.
xoxoxo
A prayer, when spoken truthfully…. from the depths of one’s heart…. will be answered… HE hears all!
Your friend is in my prayers today.
Godspeed.
my thoughts are with you
It must mean even more that your first prayer after 10 years is for someone else.
every prayer counts, trust
My prayers are with you and your friend. Maybe I’m a bit liberal on such matters, but I always think it helps.
I agree, the feeling is weird. It’s like we’re hardwired to believe in something, or at least culturally trained. It’s not easy being agnostic, atheist, etc, in a Christian dominated society. I can recall many prayers to a God I didn’t really believe in just because it seemed like the right thing to do at the time. Keep the faith (in yourself).
Who cares who or what’s on the recieving end? This world is WAY bigger than you and I, my friend, so something out there in the cosmos is listening when your heart cries for your friends. And that Something will answer. Good vibes to you and your friends.
Hi,
I am 55 years old and my daughters are your age.
The fact that your lip is loose and well presented have made my job easier.
Thank you.
I hope everything works out fine for your friends. =)
I’m agnostic, but once in a while, just in case, I send up a a prayer or two. It can’t hurt. But I get you on feeling like a phony.
I have you beat in the god embargo department. My boycott lasted 33 years. And then I discovered I was not rejecting god, but the organized religion method with which I was taught was the only way to get there. Once I realized that god doesn’t care about how we get there, via organized religion, or sitting on the beach watching the sunset contemplating what I am going to do with my life, or just saying thank you universe this day is lovely, I was able to count my blessings and be grateful. I still completely reject what I was taught when I was young as bigotted and offensive, but me and god are cool now. Not because god is the reportedly male father figure in the sky, but because god really is in you and me and Phil and Stephanie and Phil’s surgeons. My prayers for all of you and I always get what I pray for.
When it’s the only thing you can do…
Good girl heather. You’re a good friend. God heard you. You did the right thing. He, Stephanie, and the babes deserve the best each friend can give them.
I don’t think it matters whether you have prayed every day for the last 10 years or whether you have never prayed a day in your life.
I was subjected to a “Christian” education and had “teacher’s” twisted and self serving beliefs and prejudices rammed down my throat for the better part of 10 years.
I haven’t prayed or set foot in a church since I left high school.
My father’s recent very serious and life threatening illness brought me to my knees. While I was down there I think I more than made up for my ignorance.
Like you, I am not sure if anyone has heard or will answer me but any hope is better than none.
My thoughts are with you and your friends.
Megan
PS- I love your blog.
I feel like a cyper stalker as I’ve checked your blog and Stephanie’s three times today (i’m in switzerland right now so it’s already close to 5pm) as we wait for an update.
Thoughts and Prayers
So glad to come back in town and see all the updates here and on Stephanie’s site. Yet another instance of the internet bringing people together- I don’t know you, Phil, or Stephanie in person, but I know I was holding my breath all weekend and sending whatever good vibes my agnostic soul had to offer.
I think perhaps they might even work better because it shows how much you care about the people involved and want them to be answered that you would put aside your own beliefs for the good of others…wonderful!!
Just curious why you didn’t break your God embargo when the babies were born prematurely or when Lucas was sick last year? Why now?
Wow, Becca. What a truly ****ty thing to ask. I choose not to explain anything to you, and frankly, will probably not be inclined to publish any more of your comments in the future. You know, just in case you feel inclined to say more horrible things in hopes of getting a reaction. Because you won’t.
Becca; I’m going to go out on a limb and suggest that Heather was busy praying for the likes of you. You know; morons with tiny brains, no common sense and a cruelly obsolete sense of tact. Maybe your question was genuine, but your phrasing could not have been worse.
So you’re either really stupid or criminally insensitive. Whichever it is, I suggest you work on that, you’ll get further in life.
i’ve just recently stumbled on your blog, but my heart goes out to you and your friends. i can assure you, wholeheartedly that God has most def heard the words you uttered for your pals. as a christian for 12 years, i strive to live like i know God would want me to. he cares even more than i do, and that, my friend, is a whole heck of a lot. don’t forget it. please, please, please don’t forget that. his shoulder is a really big one, but it’s made up of a lot of really cool people who don’t mind being cried upon.
I’m glad your friend is better. He and his wife are lucky to have someone that cares so much.
You’re the Michael Phelps of friends. now for your anthem and medal ceremony…
If you are not a believer, who are you praying to? In order to pray, you have to have the hint of hope that the prayer will work. Who are you talking to?