The Daddy Diary 2: The Heart of Rock and Roll

I recently read “Father Elijah” by Michael O’Brien. It’s a novel about a group of Catholic Priests and Cardinals at the time of Apocalypse. Despite the fascinating plotline, characters, and backstory, my main take away was: these guys prayed all the time. I mean about everything. Any decision, action, or meeting, they would pray in advance.

I had to face the bane of my existence last night – reassembling and reinstalling the child car seat. This is a common exercise when you have a toddler that gets carsick on any voyage over 30 minutes. (Thank you Amy Evans and Scott Hunt for both living over half an hour away from me.)

Since I’ve been just a tad stressed lately (I have no idea why), I actually prayed that my little project would go smoothly. The result – fully assembled and installed in under two minutes. Take that, Satan! I know what you are thinking, “Um, Andy, assembling a car seat isn’t a sin.” Well, you haven’t seen me do it. The words that fly out of my mouth during this process would offend any sailor or character in a Quentin Tarantino movie. If Moses had seen me install a car seat, he would have climbed back up Mount Sinai and have God etch an eleventh commandment on the tablets.

But this time the only words that came out of my mouth were the first two stanzas and the chorus of “The Heart of Rock and Roll” by Huey Lewis and the News. I have no idea why that song was in my head, maybe because the song starts with a heartbeat and talks about a heart that is still beating. Thanks, Huey. I owe you one.

So I’m thinking if God can answer a prayer about something as insignificant as reassembling a car seat, maybe he can help reassemble a little girl’s heart.

We’ll find out for sure next Tuesday.