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One night, after much tossing and turning and staring at the ceiling, the man hugged his pillow and prayed. “My Father, I don’t know why I’m so restless. Maybe, I just need to know that You’re listening.”

He finally grew tired and his grip loosened on the pillow until he fell fast asleep.

He entered through the largest door he had ever seen: wooden, medieval, and to say the least, impressive. He caught the eye of the king, who had just glanced up from a sacred-looking book.

“Come in, come in,” cried the king, not hesitating a bit.

The man obliged, knelt and offered a whispered, “I am so honored.”

The ruler seemed on top of his game. He was joyful and excited to see the man and stretched out a welcoming hand.

“Please, forgive, Sire,” said the man, “but I never expected you to be so happy and light-hearted.”

“Oh, well,” said the king, “the reason for that is simple. I’ve just read the most moving book!”

“Please, come sit next to me. I’ve been eager to talk with you as I know you have much on your heart and mind to speak to me about.”

The man’s mind raced and stood still at the same time. Here he was, in the presence of the king, a moment he had waited for. But now, how could he squeeze everything that was in his head into one conversation? Surely, the king’s time must be limited. He was afraid that some royal guard would come in and ask him to leave at any minute.

“I’ve often spoke to you, but not in your presence, my king,” said the man. “I just don’t know where to start.”

“Well,” said the king, “perhaps I can help you. Do you remember when you were ten years old standing in the schoolyard and you asked me … I can remember it like it was yesterday … you asked me if I would help make you ‘kind?’”

The man’s eyes welled up and he began pouring out his heart to the king. His majesty patiently listened for hours on end.

Finally, the man stopped abruptly, embarrassed that he had taken so much of the king’s time without letting the king get a word in.

The wise king, sensing the man’s unease, took the man’s hand and looked him in the eye.

“My good friend,” said the king, “be not ashamed of this waterfall of expression. Do you remember what I told you about my happiness?”

“Yes, my king,” said the man. “You said that you had just read the most wonderful book. Is it the one you were reading when I came in?”

“Certainly,” said the king, “I’d like to show it to you.”

The man’s eyes stared in wonderment and shock for the title listed his own name, then the subtitle: “The Prayers of My Son.”

“Open it up,” said the king.

The man looked concerned.

“What is it?” the king mused.

“Some of the writing is so smudged that I can hardly read it,” replied the man.

“Oh,” said the king, “a few of my tears fell, some of joy and some of sorrow. But I can tell you one thing my friend, it’s the best book I’ve ever read.” —Copyright © 2007 by Robert J. LaCosta

Psalm 103

Let all that I am praise the Lord;

with my whole heart, I will praise his holy name.

Let all that I am praise the Lord;

may I never forget the good things he does for me.

He forgives all my sins

and heals all my diseases.

He redeems me from death

and crowns me with love and tender mercies.

He fills my life with good things.

My youth is renewed like the eagle’s!

The Lord gives righteousness

and justice to all who are treated unfairly.

He revealed his character to Moses

and his deeds to the people of Israel.

The Lord is compassionate and merciful,

slow to get angry and filled with unfailing love.

He will not constantly accuse us,

nor remain angry forever.

He does not punish us for all our sins;

he does not deal harshly with us, as we deserve.

For his unfailing love toward those who fear him

is as great as the height of the heavens above the earth.

He has removed our sins as far from us

as the east is from the west.

The Lord is like a father to his children,

tender and compassionate to those who fear him.

For he knows how weak we are;

he remembers we are only dust.

Our days on earth are like grass;

like wildflowers, we bloom and die.

The wind blows, and we are gone—

as though we had never been here.

But the love of the Lord remains forever

with those who fear him.

His salvation extends to the children’s children

of those who are faithful to his covenant,

of those who obey his commandments!

The Lord has made the heavens his throne;

from there he rules over everything.

Praise the Lord, you angels,

you mighty ones who carry out his plans,

listening for each of his commands.

Yes, praise the Lord, you armies of angels

who serve him and do his will!

Praise the Lord, everything he has created,

everything in all his kingdom.

Let all that I am praise the Lord.

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