The lonely conversation . . . “I remember the first time I said it . . . asked to take someone’s place,” he said quietly.
“What exactly . . . what words did you use,” he asked.
“Well . . . the prayer was simple . . . I asked God to take me instead.”
“Just like that . . . just take your life instead of another.”
“Precisely.”
“What happened?”
“I don’t know . . . I didn’t see him again.”
“Never?”
“Nope . . . I moved out of the building and across town.”
“Any thoughts on what happened?”
“I’d like to believe the man survived . . . but . . . “
“But what?”
“I’m still here.”
“Is it truly that simple?”
“Yes . . . yes it is. I’ve witnessed miracles . . . prayers answered both quickly . . . and eventually.”
Joseph Shanklin
March 15, 2020
ShankJoeJoe 