If you should die…
If I should die before I wake. That is a children’s bedtime prayer that I used to say when I was growing up. In turn, I taught it to my children. I believe that in its simplicity, it is one of the greatest of old time prayers. Next to the Lord’s prayer in Matthew six it is so powerful. I was saying it to my little boy who was about four or five years or so one night. My little girl about two years old was lying in a little bed next to him. She had never acted like she was paying any attention to our nightly ritual. That night as I started to leave the room she indicated she wanted to repeat her prayers. I began with now to lay me down to sleep. I would pause and she would repeat what I just said. Then we got down to the part where we said if I should die before I awake. She didn’t repeat that line but opened her eyes and said what? I really didn’t know how to respond but I managed to say never mind I’ll tell you later. How do you explain the concept of death to someone for the first time. I don’t recall how I realized the reality and meaning of death. I took care of the fear of death over forty years ago. I do not fear death today, but I do fear getting to death and have never really lived. I do fear getting to the end of my life and dying with my song, sermon, and love still in me.”
J D Canter E Books 