Faithfulness

Weight or Wait…

Over the past week, childhood memories of not being old enough to do whatever it might have been that older siblings or kids in the neighborhood were doing have surfaced in attempts to be understanding while navigating and responding to the “why?” of age being a determining factor to the negative.  What is it that can make waiting such a chore? What is it that can make the waiting that comes with life feel more like weight bearing down upon or holding one back than like a time that is on the way and simply has not yet arrived?

It can be difficult at times to take the long view or to see “the waiting” as a friend, creating space and readying one for what is to come. Perhaps sometimes, in the waiting, we are being waited upon. Maybe looked to, to open up or to make a move rather than being mostly on one side of the equation or the other. Oftentimes in waiting, one realization or another comes along, lessening the load and shifting the balance back to peace.

Peace

Truly, the Lord is waiting to be gracious to you,
truly, the Lord shall rise to show you mercy;
For the Lord is a God of justice:
happy are all who wait for the Lord! – Isaiah 30:18

Waving…

Sometimes walking or climbing to navigate and continue onward. Sometimes stopping to more fully appreciate the beauty all around, to take a breath or two of fresh air, or simply to rest. Depending on the time and the day, perhaps depending on the air, the path is very clear, or not so much. Yet, even in those moments of uncertainty or when it looks like there is no passageway to be found, before long there is an opening, and the way to proceed is there, revealed.

Sometimes turning back, it may seem to have disappeared, a distant memory, but not lost. Lingering, leaving the sense that somewhere down the road, it will be there once again. For now, carry on, but also, remember… trust… believe.

Teach us to count our days aright, Lord, that we may gain wisdom of heart. – Psalm 90:12

Maneuver

Blow the Horn…

I remember being instructed throughout childhood, “Do not be afraid to ask questions or to ask for help.” In addition, I also recall a teacher I had in elementary school who would often encourage students to ask any question they might have, saying, “The only stupid questions are the ones not asked.” She would then go on to explain that typically, for every student that asks a question, there is at least one other student, if not more, who whether or not they have the same question, somehow stand to benefit from hearing the answer.

Chapter 18, verse 23 of the Book of Genesis reads:

Then Abraham drew nearer (to the Lord) and said:
“Will you sweep away the innocent with the guilty? 

Knowing the Lord intends to address the depravity and numerous wrongs being committed in Sodom and Gomorrah, Abraham (having in mind his nephew, Lot, who resides in Sodom) asks this question and then follows it up with a couple more.

Suppose there were fifty righteous people in the city; would you really sweep away and not spare the place for the sake of the fifty righteous people within it?

Far be it from you to do such a thing, to kill the righteous with the wicked, so that the righteous and the wicked are treated alike! Far be it from you! Should not the judge of all the world do what is just?” – Genesis 18:24-25

Despite being encouraged in my early years to ask away when questions would arise, Abraham’s questions to the Lord, and the manner in which he asks them, used to seem so bold, and almost out of line or disrespectful to me. Questions were to be asked, but not ones like these, and certainly not of God, or those ordained as chosen to serve God’s people.

Now older, such a notion seems so archaic to me as well as one of detriment. It is especially curious, given the fact that Scripture provides many examples of the faithful asking God similar types of questions, sometimes even telling God, “Here is what (or how) I need You to be in this situation.” Not only that, but God’s response is always one of compassion, love, and mercy, not one that is punitive or that takes offense.

The honesty with which Abraham, and others after him, communicate and relate
to God—their prayer—is answered.

Faithfulness begets faithfulness.

The Answer to Prayer – Luke 11:9-13

“And I tell you, ask and you will receive; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you.

For everyone who asks, receives; and the one who seeks, finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened.

What father among you would hand his son a snake when he asks for a fish?

Or hand him a scorpion when he asks for an egg?

If you then, who are wicked, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will the Father in heaven give the holy Spirit to those who ask him?”

Horn1

I will give thanks to you, O LORD, with all my heart,
for you have heard the words of my mouth;
in the presence of the angels I will sing your praise;
I will worship at your holy temple
and give thanks to your name.

Because of your kindness and your truth;
for you have made great above all things
your name and your promise.
When I called you answered me;
you built up strength within me.

The LORD is exalted, yet the lowly he sees,
and the proud he knows from afar.
Though I walk amid distress, you preserve me;
against the anger of my enemies you raise your hand.

Your right hand saves me.
The LORD will complete what he has done for me;
your kindness, O LORD, endures forever;
forsake not the work of your hands.

Lord, on the day I called for help, you answered me. – Psalm 138:1-3,6-8

Buck…

After a brief wait of silence and darkness, there it was—a buck. It entered into view, sauntered around, and then moved on, disappearing just as it had appeared. I quietly watched, in awe of its tranquil but purposeful movement and noticing its antlers. Perhaps this was the older version of the same buck that passed through a couple of months earlier. If so, my how it had grown in a relatively short period. Beyond its features, especially its antlers that were more pronounced, it seemed more sure-footed and astute in the way it carried itself.

Over the past few months, I have had the opportunity to see the nighttime movement of a number of animals as captured by a family member’s trail camera. It has been both interesting and fascinating to observe the way these creatures move about, crossover, and pass through the yard and woods behind it. They appear uninhibited, but at the same time quiet, reserved, and respectful.

In the hours of the night and into the dawn, the environment not only holds peace, but also gives it. It is one with room for pensive pauses and calming paces. Sometimes, what the darkness of night offers can be encouraging and uplifting, just as much as that of day.

Strength and wisdom come, inner stillness enlightening each night and every day.

Buck1

Buck3

A psalm of David.
LORD, who may abide in your tent?
Who may dwell on your holy mountain?

Whoever walks without blame,
doing what is right,
speaking truth from the heart;

Who does not slander with his tongue,
does no harm to a friend,
never defames a neighbor;
Who disdains the wicked,
but honors those who fear the LORD;
Who keeps an oath despite the cost,
lends no money at interest,
accepts no bribe against the innocent.

Whoever acts like this
shall never be shaken. – Psalm 15

A Picture’s Worth…

A truck pulled into the parking lot of the conservation area and stopped, blocking the entrance. Then a man hopped out and went over to the middle of the road. He proceeded to walk slowly back in the direction of the parking area, escorting something toward the water. I could not see what it was, but thought it might be some sort of animal. Once several steps into the grass, the man returned to his truck and was on his way, presumably off to where he had originally been going.

As I walked across the gravel to the side where the animal was, while the man was gone, his awareness and show of care and concern stayed with me. Upon arriving, a few steps onto the grass, I could see a painted turtle. It was continuing to slowly make its way toward the water. It was quite small. In fact, it could not have been more than a few inches across its shell, yet the man traveling in his truck, sitting high up, not only spotted the turtle down on the road, but also stopped to ensure its safe passage to the other side. Remarkable, both to do, and to see. A privilege to partake in, whether as a participant or as a witness.

There are many dimensions and circumstances in life over which choice may be limited or perhaps, does not exist. However, there is always the freedom to use—to see and/or to act from—one’s heart.

I bless the Lord who counsels me;
even in the night my heart exhorts me.
I set the Lord ever before me;
With the Lord at my right hand I shall not be disturbed. – Psalm 16:7-8

Turtle

Leftovers…

Whenever one of my children asks, “What’s for dinner?,” if I reply, “We’re having leftovers,” the reaction is likely to be one of great disappointment. Initially, I pretty much always find myself surprised by this response, particularly since it seems like we rarely have leftovers for dinner. While the “Leftover” experience is likely typical especially when dealing with certain age groups, it resonates beyond the dinner table. Oftentimes, what is available can be seen as not being good enough.

In the Gospel according to Luke, chapter 9 verses 11-17, we learn that Jesus fed the crowd (all 5,000 people) with five loaves of bread and two fish. It is also written that, “They all ate and were satisfied. And when the leftover fragments were picked up, they filled twelve wicker baskets.” What did they do with the leftovers? And did anyone take issue with whatever was done with them? What was the reaction? What kind of effect did the fact that the baskets contained fragments rather than whole pieces have?

There is no sure fire way to know the answers to these questions for back then. However, they are worth considering in terms of every day life. We all have moments where we either do not appreciate what is in front of us or have trouble accepting and making use of it. Moments where perhaps our response is lackluster or less than gracious. Moments where we can see what we want or what we would prefer to the exclusion of seeing value in what is present or available to us.

Throughout life though, it is not so much about what is on the plate, who is serving, and who is being served as it is about the source of all that. The story of the feeding of the 5,000 is in all four Gospels (Matthew 14:13-21, Mark 6:30-44, Luke 9:10-17, and John 6:1-14). In each passage, Jesus is at the center, providing nourishment for all.

It is important to receive the message that when Jesus is central, not only are the needs of all satisfied, but also there is always more than enough.

Leftovers

50…

The Apostles waited as the Lord had instructed them. Then, at the appointed time, the Holy Spirit came upon them.

Then there appeared to them tongues as of fire,
which parted and came to rest on each one of them.
And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit
and began to speak in different tongues,
as the Spirit enabled them to proclaim. – Acts 2:1-4

The Spirit empowered them to be more than they could be on their own. It propelled them onward in the glory of God, spurring them into action, and moving them toward the work entrusted to them. In order for this to happen though, the Apostles needed to be willing participants. That is, they needed to be open to receiving the gift of the Holy Spirit. They needed to allow themselves to be filled up. They also needed to remain open in order to allow themselves to be led in a way that the Spirit could flow through them… through their words and their actions.

On Pentecost, the Apostles received the Holy Spirit, a Divine gift that would help them to fulfill their purpose and accomplish their mission in life. For true Spirit, purpose, and mission, like all that is Divine in nature, its end is always communal, always intended to be shared for the good of one as well as the good of many.

Each day, we awake, the image of God, and as we go about the day, we encounter the Divine, whether it is in passing or for a more extended period. Each day, the Divine encounters us, whether we are open to receiving it or not. The opportunities are endless, and usually, in time, all the pieces are together and suddenly, they become aligned.

Lord, send out your Spirit, and renew the face of the earth. – Psalm 104:30

Fire

A Dip in the Pool…

As we walked along the cliff, the terrain shifted from paved pathways to ones constructed out of giant rocks along the shoreline. The further we walked, the numbers of those walking became less as the path became trickier to navigate with the level rocks becoming sparse. Taking heed of the signs to be cautious, we forged on, determined not only to get to the other side, but also to take time to enjoy the sites along the way.

Most striking on this particular day, were the tidal pools that we came across. The water seemed so crystal clear—transparent. At the same time, though, it was teeming with living organisms, some visible to the naked eye, some surely not.

Each pool seemed to contain a world of its own. As a child, I remember a field trip where we explored and studied tidal pools. It was fascinating to see various components of the entire ocean in one relatively small area. I remember a classmate spotting a tiny shrimp in one of the pools. It is amazing what one can see when going slower and looking around more carefully.

Surveying the tidal pools, as intact as they seem, they inevitably change with each tide. While they may resemble what was there from the previous tide, they are not the same. Yet, day in and day out, or tide in and tide out, each pool continues to hold its bounty—life, beauty, and all that is intriguing in various different shapes, colors, and forms—as sacred for as long as it remains, or until the tide reclaims it.

That is something to strive for… something to emulate.

TidalPool

“Father, they are your gift to me.
I wish that where I am they also may be with me,
that they may see my glory that you gave me,
because you loved me before the foundation of the world.
Righteous Father, the world also does not know you,
but I know you, and they know that you sent me.
I made known to them your name and I will make it known,
that the love with which you loved me
may be in them and I in them.” – John 17:24-26

Light that Works Wonders…

Throughout the ages people in various cultures around the world have discovered and used what is found in nature as remedies for one ailment or another. A star among these natural medicinal resources is the sun. The light provided by the sun has been known to disinfect, heal wounds, straighten curved bones, lift moods, and more, in addition to aiding our sight as we make our way throughout each day.

At the opposite end of the day, there is the moon and stars, which also provide light and a sense of direction throughout the night. When combined, the light from the sun, the moon, and the stars, radiant and powerful as they may be, are but a portion of the light of God.

No longer shall the sun
be your light by day,
Nor shall the brightness of the moon
give you light by night;
Rather, the Lord will be your light forever,
your God will be your glory. – Isaiah 60:19

In creation, the Source is always greater than the sum of its parts. That is what faith is all about. It is trusting that God, and the grace of God, is ever present. It is believing despite not having all the answers. It is embracing each moment, making the sacrifice, taking the risk, seeking what is just, and living from the heart that knows, anything is possible through God.

If the sun and various other natural elements in creation can be the cause of an abundance of healing, then how much more magnificent, that which can occur through the hands of our Creator.

In all situations, in every place, and at all times, seek the Light, soak it in, and through the grace of God, take courage, transform, and be the Light.

Light2

Along the Way…

Upon entering the wooded path, the trees stood tall and proud. However, in between and all along the way, there were remnants of once healthy, strong trees, now leaning…

Leaning

Fallen…

Fallen.jpg

Bent…

Bent

And broken.

Broken

Yet, all around the storm driven violence, new life infused from the richness of the soil… the richness of its Source.

Despite devastation, and in the midst of it, there remains Shelter…

Shelter

Guidance…

Guide

And the healing presence of Light, to be held, as well as reflected…

Reflect

The Lord is good:
the kindness of the Lord endures forever,
and the Lord’s faithfulness, lasts through every generation. – Psalm 100:5