PURPOSE

My friend Reg was old, had diabetes, was blind, deaf and had heart problems.  He was also kind and had a sense of humour.  He lived in an old people's home where there were few to stimulate his alert and lively mind.  He was a Christian and he used to say to me "Moya, I'm not telling the Lord His business but I think it's time I went.  I don't know why I'm still here".

A new man arrived at the home but our hopes of a friend for Reg were dashed.  He constantly bemoaned his fate, never saw the good in anything, questioned motives, saw evil plots and stratagems around every corner.  His bitterness was anathema to Reg but nevertheless he took on the challenge.

"Have you ever prayed"?

"Why should I?  What's anybody ever done for me"?

"I was like you once...prayer does help.  Why don't we give it a go?  Do you know the Lord's Prayer?"

"Doubt it.  Haven't said it since I was a child".

"Shall we give it a go"?

"Huh!"

They started and with much stumbling and prompting they reached Amen.

"Could you say it on your own now" asked Reg.

There was a pause and then "yes" said the man firmly and clearly, fluently recited the prayer.

Silence.  Reg prayed silently in that silence until it seemed to go on too long.  Somebody entered the room and then he heard the matron advising him to go to his room.

"You see, Moya", he told me later, "after the Lord's Prayer he died.  Now I know why He kept me here".