|
|
|
December 31 Today is the anniversary of my father’s death; usually, a day of melancholy for me. But this day has been different than in years past. Oh, I’ve been sad that my father can’t know my children, and they him. And sure, I’ve grieved that I can’t call him up to hear some of his wise advise or latest joke. But today instead of feeling loss or sadness, I sense a new hope. I’m not sure why. Maybe it was watching the New Year’s Eve fireworks from our balcony. Or maybe it was considering the past month and thinking about how dramatically the Lord intervened in my life, as well as in Vera’s. Perhaps I’m just thankful that I can live in Prague, a city of darkness that has somehow been the birthing ground for my ‘seeing the Light.’ As I talked with Lisa tonight, about this year in Prague and the past month in particular, I asked her if she knew what Prague meant. Her answer surprised me. “I want to tell you a story,” she said with joy in her eyes. “There was once a Princess named Libuse.” I interrupted, “you are my princess, though I’m sure glad your name isn’t Libuse!” And I bet she didn’t shave under armpits either as Czechs are prone to do.” “Oh, be quiet,” she chided. She went on, “Libuse was not only a princess, she was a prophetess.” (This time I didn’t interrupt but I did think about what a truth-speaker my wife is. ‘Thank you, Lord for Lisa,’ I silently prayed. ‘Thank you for how she has spoken truth in love to me and countless others.’) And as legend would have it one day she had a dream, perhaps a vision. Upon awaking, she summoned her servants and announced what she had seen and what they were to do. “I have seen a vision of a great, new city for this kingdom. It will stand as a praha; a threshold between east and west. Leave the castle of Vysehrad at once, cross the River below and search until you find a man building a praha, a threshold. That is where this new city is to be founded. This they did and this, according to legend, is where Praha (or Prague as we call it) was built.” “You tell a great story,” I said to Lisa. Half jokingly I asked, “Oh prophetess, what does this mean?” In prophetic fashion, Lisa announced: “This is your praha, your threshold. You have walked through the darkness into the light in Prague. Don’t ever forget what it’s like to be on the other side. And remember your job: keep lending a hand to others who are searching for their way out.” |
|
