Firewood

Written by Tina Kramer

As I drive down Chestnut Street, I chat with Paula, my second mom.  She shares about a phone call she made to CBN (Christian Broadcasting Network):

“I prayed for about 15 minutes and asked the Lord to send me a counselor that knew Ken Spafard. When the lady answered the phone and said, ‘Good afternoon, 700 club. How may I help you?’ I said, I have a daughter named Tina and her father, Ken Spafard, worked for the 700 club in the 70’s and worked in the scenic design department. He built all of the sets for the 700 club and for special projects. I want to pray for his daughter, who has been very sick. Ken died in 1980. But I was wondering, did you happen to know him? How long have you been at the 700 club and did you know Ken Spafard? She said, ‘Oh yes, I knew Ken Spafard. I knew him, and he was the kindest, nicest man in the world,’ and then we started to pray.”

My father, Ken Spafard, worked for CBN Christian Broadcasting Network back in the 70’s. He passed away in August of  1980. The prayer chain for CBN includes people from all over the country. How could this random CBN worker from 2024 remember my father?

During this conversation, I notice a man carrying a load of firewood. Following behind him is a little girl, age 3-4, and she is trying to carry two large pieces of wood, but they are slipping out of her arms.

Paula continues her story as I drive away from the little girl and her heavy load of firewood: “Tina, that woman prayed for you like she was one of your family members. It was such an amazing prayer!”

I am shocked! How could this random CBN worker remember my father? He died so long ago.

My mind goes back to the scene of the little girl trying to carry the heavy load of firewood. (The little girl is about the same age I was when my mother abducted me and filled my life with so much confusion and trauma.)

God speaks to my heart, “You need to let your Daddy carry the heavy pieces.”

Yes, God, I agree with you. I need to let You, my Heavenly Father, carry the heavy burdens in my life:  burdens of unresolved health issues, burdens of unresolved relational conflicts, burdens of unresolved emotional issues. . . .

But God, my brain has this OCD problem. Things get stuck in my brain and they just keep repeating scary scenarios over and over. How am I supposed to stop that?

“Change the channel.” (God)

How do I change the channel of my brain? (Me)

Reflection

How do you change the channel in your brain? For me, I need to do something like:

• call a friend
• plan my lesson for class
• pray with someone
• go for a walk
• write in my journal
• sing

Do you struggle with obsessive, intrusive thoughts? Do you feel defeated in your attempts to “change the channel” of your brain?

Prayer

As I write this prayer, a picture comes to my mind. I am a little girl and my parents, Ken and Irene Spafard, are kneeling on either side of me. We are kneeling on a grassy hillside next to a stream. I imagine them praying this prayer for me:

“Father God, we praise you for this beautiful little girl. She is such a precious gift and we love her so much. Jesus, you know how much she is struggling right now.  We ask that you would bring complete healing to our daughter-healing to her bleeding heart, healing to her wounded spirit. Fill her mind with the beauty of your creation. Remove all layers of darkness and shine Your light into every part of her heart. May she be a mighty warrior for You. In Jesus’ name. Amen

In the Amplified Bible (AMP), 1 Peter 5:7 says, “casting all your cares on Him, for He cares about you with deepest affection, and watches over you very carefully.”

Father God,

I pray for the person reading this blog. Perhaps they have been carrying a heavy load and they feel defeated. Perhaps the wounds of their past are bleeding into their present relationships.  Bind up the wounds of the brokenhearted and set the captives free. Bring hope to the downcast. May you fill their souls with a glorious vision of your power and majesty. Help them to let You, their heavenly Father, carry their heavy burdens.

In Jesus’ name,

Amen

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