the funniest prayer request ever!

Hands down, it was the funniest thing I have ever heard in a church service. It was last Thanksgiving, and Wesla and I were visiting my grandparents in Tofield. We were mixing and mingling when we met a man and his wife who were also visitors that particular morning. They were married just one day earlier, and the new groom wanted to visit with the pastor who ministered to him while he was in prison, yes that's right he had also just gotten out of prison. (I know there is another joke inherent within this senerio, but I'm not going there!) We talked for a while longer, he was clearly uncomfortable with his unfamiliar surroundings, but he was also determined to go to church, and so he stayed for the service.

Nothing eventful happened until it came time for the prayer. Everyone was invited to share the many reasons why we were thankful to God, since it was Thanksgiving and all. Being a farming community, many of the folks gave thanks for the harvest. With each person who shared the eyes of the visitor grew wider and wider, he was bursting at the seams until he could contain himself no longer, he just had to share the prayer of thanksgiving that was weighing upon his heart. He said, "Many of you are giving thanks today for seeds sown and harvests reaped, well, my wife and I were married yesterday and I would like to give thanks for the seeds that were sown - we are also hoping for a harvest someday very soon."

At that moment every bit of air was sucked out of the auditorium in one great gasp. Instantly the face of the new bride turned a shade of red I cannot even begin to describe, and there was an awkward silence that lasted until someone finally dared to laugh. This gave permission to the whole congregation to do the same. Even better than the good laugh, we were able to pray for God to bless their union and to grant them the gift of a child.