WHO, WHAT, WHERE, WHEN, WHY, AND REALLY

PART 4:  SIMEON AND ANNA

WHO, WHAT, WHERE, WHEN, WHY, AND REALLY...  It seems there are always questions to be asked.  And so it is with the Christmas Story. 

SIMEON AND ANNA -- LUKE 2:22-38

When the time came for the purification rites required by the Law of Moses, Joseph and Mary took him to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord (as it is written in the Law of the Lord, “Every firstborn male is to be consecrated to the Lord”), and to offer a sacrifice in keeping with what is said in the Law of the Lord; “a pair of doves or two young pigeons.”

Joseph and Mary were following the Law of Moses and were taking Jesus to present him to the Lord.  When they arrived, they encountered two people Simeon, who was righteous and devout, and Anna, who never left the temple and worshiped night and day, fasting and praying. 

It had been revealed to him (Simeon) by the Holy Spirit that he would not die before he had seen the Lord’s Messiah.  Moved by the Spirit, he went into the temple courts.  When the parents brought in the child Jesus to do for him what the custom of the Law required, Simeon took him in his arms and praised God…..

Can you picture this man, waiting?  Searching?  Watching?  And then slowly holding his arms out to hold the baby Jesus?  Gently, ever so gently, taking the child into his arms.

Simeon took him in his arms and praised God, saying:  “Sovereign Lord, as you have promised, you may now dismiss your servant in peace.  For my eyes have seen your salvation, which you have prepared in the sight of all nations; a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and the glory of your people Israel.”

Can you see her?  Anna had been married for seven years and was a widow until she was 84.

She never left the temple but worshiped night and day, fasting and praying.  Coming up to them at that very moment, she gave thanks to God and spoke about the child to all who were looking forward to the redemption of Jerusalem.

When Joseph and Mary had done everything required by the Law of the Lord, they returned to Galilee to their own town of Nazareth.  And the child grew and became strong; he was filled with wisdom, and the grace of God was on him.

 

The Holy Spirit had revealed to Simeon that he would not die until he saw the Lord’s Messiah.  Simeon, held the Christ Child and praised God.  He had seen the Christ Child.  He was ready to die in peace, because he had seen God’s salvation.

Have you found God’s salvation?  Are you ready to die in peace?

Anna realized in a moment that this baby was the redemption of Jerusalem.  She gave thanks and spoke about the child to all who were looking forward to that redemption. 

Do you realize Jesus came for the redemption of everyone?  That is EVERY ONE!  Tell yourself that and then tell others.  God does not desire for even one of his children to be lost.  His desire is for each and every child to have eternal life.  Spread the word about this child that grew and became strong, filled with wisdom, and had the grace of God on him.

 

WHO, WHAT, WHERE, WHEN, WHY, AND REALLY...  It seems there are always questions to be asked.  And so it is with the Christmas Story. 

WHY – if they were so wise – did the Wise Men have to ask for directions?  (January 1, 2021)

 WHO, WHAT, WHERE, WHEN, WHY, AND REALLY

PART 3:  JOSEPH

WHO, WHAT, WHERE, WHEN, WHY, AND REALLY...  It seems there are always questions to be asked.  And so it is with the Christmas Story. 

JOSEPH -- MATTHEW 1:18-24

 “This is how the birth of Jesus the Messiah came about:  His mother Mary was pledged to be married to Joseph, but before they came together, she was found to be pregnant through the Holy Spirit.” 

MARY PREGNANT?  I am sure this took Joseph’s breath away.  They had not consummated the betrothal.  Can you picture Joseph’s brow wrinkle as he tries to understand and … he does not want to hurt her… but what should he do?

“Because Joseph her husband was faithful to the law, and yet did not want to expose her to public disgrace, he had in mind to divorce her quietly.”  Yes, that would be the best.  Quietly.  He would speak to her and explain.

“But after he had considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, “Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit.  She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.”

Have you ever had a dream so real that when you woke up you were lost in time and space?  Confused between dream and reality?  That is where Joseph must have been when he first began to wake up.  As his eyes were opening, did he remember what the prophet had said?  Did virgin will conceive, birth to a son, and Immanuel move from dream into reality?

“When Joseph woke up, he did what the angel of the Lord had commanded him and took Mary home as his wife.”

Joseph, a man faithful to the law, had a compassionate heart.  He took Mary home.  “But he did not consummate their marriage until she gave birth to a son.  And he gave him the name Jesus.”

Why was he willing to change his mind?  He was all set to “divorce her quietly” and then he went to sleep.

I often do not know how a blog is going to end and this part on Joseph was one of those times.  I wasn’t sure why he had changed his mind.  Yes, he was visited by an angel.  But he could have easily dismissed that as just a dream. 

Then it hit me.  The answer is simple.  Joseph did the right thing.

Joseph should be admired as a man, a husband, and a father.  As a man, he was faithful to the law.  As a husband, he loved his wife enough to delay consummating their marriage.  As a father, he was an earthly role model for Jesus.  None of these would have been easy.   Doing the right thing is not always easy.

An angel came to Joseph in a dream and instructed him on how to do the right thing.  Where do you find instructions on doing the right thing?  Who do you turn to for encouragement and strength when trying to do the right thing?

WHO, WHAT, WHERE, WHEN, WHY, AND REALLY...  It seems there are always questions to be asked.  And so it is with the Christmas Story. 

WHAT happens when you find him?  (December 25, 2020)

WHY – if they were so wise – did the Wise Men have to ask for directions?  (January 1, 2021)

 

WHO, WHAT, WHERE, WHEN, WHY, AND REALLY

PART 2:  MARY

WHO, WHAT, WHERE, WHEN, WHY, AND REALLY...  It seems there are always questions to be asked.  And so it is with the Christmas Story. 

MARY - LUKE 1:26-39

In Galilee, in the town of Nazareth, Mary was all excited about being betrothed to Joseph.  She was still living in her father’s house, but that would cease when the processional walked her to the house of her groom.  Then the betrothal would become a legal tie and the marriage would be consummated. 

This young virgin saw her future as being very traditional ....  until Gabriel delivered another message. 

“Greetings, you who are highly favored!  The Lord is with you.”  Mary was greatly troubled and wondered.  At least she was not gripped with fear like Zechariah.  Gabriel must be used to people getting a bit afraid when he appeared, because he immediately calmed her by saying, “Do not be afraid, Mary; you have found favor with God.”

I can almost see Mary taking a deep breath and allowing her body to relax, until she heard, “You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you are to call him Jesus.”

Was her mind swirling...a baby?  ”He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High.  The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David, and he will reign over Jacob’s descendants forever; his kingdom will never end.”

Then the question came:  “How will this be,” Mary asked the angel, “since I am a virgin?”

As I read this, I am ready for another “I AM GABRIEL” moment.  It doesn’t come.  Instead, he proceeds to calmly tell Mary what will happen and that Elizabeth is to have a child in her old age. 

What did I miss?  How come Zechariah got in trouble for asking a question and Mary didn’t?  They were both asking the same question: How is this going to happen?  Why?  Zechariah and Elizabeth had prayed and prayed for a child.  When the angel said their prayers were being answered, Zechariah questioned how this could be.  He was questioning God’s ability to answer their prayers.  Mary had no idea how this could physically happen and was asking an honest question, not doubting God.

BUT that was the last question Mary asked.  Mary listened.  Mary answered:  “I am the Lord’s servant.  May your word to me be fulfilled.”

Then the angel left her.  I can picture Gabriel, looking lovingly at Mary, and slowly fading away, leaving Mary to comprehend all that had happened.

A popular question: If you could sit and eat with any person dead or alive, who would you pick? My answer is Mary.

I would love to ask her how it felt to hear the words: you have found favor with God.  I want to know what she did when the angel left.  I want to know where she found the strength to immediately agree. 

Aren’t we like Mary?  Mary was highly favored.  News Flash!  We — every one of us — are highly favored by God.  HE MADE US...He made you...He made me. 

Mary had the honor of giving birth to the Son of God.  What honor has God bestowed on you?  “I am the Lord’s servant.  May the honor you have given me be fulfilled.”  Do you have the strength and faith to say you are a servant?

WHO, WHAT, WHERE, WHEN, WHY, AND REALLY...  It seems there are always questions to be asked.  And so it is with the Christmas Story. 

WHAT changed Joseph’s mind?  (December 18, 2020)

WHAT happens when you find him?  (December 25, 2020)

WHY – if they were so wise – did the Wise Men have to ask for directions?  (January 1, 2021)

 

WHO, WHAT, WHERE, WHEN, WHY, AND REALLY

PART 1:  ZECHARIAH

A minister was giving a sermon on the catching of a lot of fish.  As he spoke, he noticed one man really listening.  Hanging onto every word.  He stood a little taller thinking, “I must be giving a great sermon.”  The service was over and the man stepped up to the minister and asked, “Who cleaned the fish?”

I had a similar experience.  No, I was not giving a great message.  I was teaching Sunday School and referenced a message I had given on the 23rd Psalm.  I talked about the table before my enemies.  Then, one of the men looked at me and asked, “What was on the table?”

WHO, WHAT, WHERE, WHEN, WHY, AND REALLY...  It seems there are always questions to be asked.  And so it is with the Christmas Story. 

ZECHARIAH – LUKE 1:5-20

Zechariah was righteous in the sight of God.  I do not know how he managed to do this, but he and his wife, Elizabeth, observed all – ALL – of the Lord’s commands and decrees blamelessly.  Sadly, they had no children.  Zechariah was serving in the temple.  It was an honor to go into the temple and burn incense, while the worshipers prayed outside. 

The scripture says, “Then an angel of the Lord appeared to him.”  The word then is not dramatic enough.  Then she went to the store.  Then they had supper.  The appearance of an angel requires trumpets and a change in the barometric pressure.  King James Version says, “And there appeared…”  Then and there make it sound like an angel had come for a cup of tea.

Zechariah, realizing an angel was standing at the right side of the altar of incense, was startled and gripped with fear.  Bless the angel!  He told Zechariah to not be afraid.  Then – now this is where the big then begins:  “Zechariah; your prayer has been heard.  Your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you are to call him John.”

I have a feeling it was at this point that Zechariah zoned out, because he asked a question.

Zechariah asked the angel, “How can I be sure of this? I am an old man and my wife is well along in years.”

Talk about asking the wrong question.  Why would Zechariah question the angel?  He was a priest and on that day he was the main man...in the temple burning incense.  Of all the people around, wouldn’t a priest know not to question an angel?

The angel said to him, “I am Gabriel.  I stand in the presence of God, and I have been sent to speak to you and to tell you this good news.”

Wow.  I can almost see Zechariah’s eyes getting very large when he heard the words:

I

AM

GABRIEL

Each word would have been pronounced, with emphasis, and there would have been a pause between each word.  Gabriel continued, “I stand in the presence of God, and I have been sent to speak to you and to tell you this good news. ….

Oh my.  Oh my.  Can you picture Zechariah shrinking?

And now you will be silent and not able to speak until the day this happens, because you did not believe my words, which will come true at their appointed time.” 

Really Zechariah?  You were a priest, who observed all of the Lord’s commands and decrees.  You were in the temple, at the time for burning of incense, and yet you questioned the angel.  How could an old man and old woman have a child?

Are we like Zechariah?  We believe.  We do believe, but …. do we believe God is capable of giving us what we pray for?

WHO, WHAT, WHERE, WHEN, WHY, AND REALLY...  It seems there are always questions to be asked.  And so it is with the Christmas Story. 

HOW could a virgin become pregnant?  (December 11, 2020)

WHAT changed Joseph’s mind?  (December 18, 2020)

WHAT happens when you find him?  (December 25, 2020)

WHY – if they were so wise – did the Wise Men have to ask for directions?  (January 1, 2021)

 

GIVING THANKS

I am thankful for time with my family – Well, that ain’t happening.

I am thankful for – I have never had trouble putting together a list of things I am thankful for, but I sure am this year. 

Last year I used some interesting Thanksgiving facts and wrote:  Thanksgiving is like all holidays.  It is a combination of history, traditions, and memories.  Above all, Thanksgiving is a day to give thanks.  Or maybe, just maybe, every day is a Thanks Giving day!

On Thanksgiving 2019, no one could have imagined what Thanksgiving 2020 would be like.  But I will be thankful!  I will!  I will…try.  Here goes.  I am giving thanks for:

Clothes – I really purged my closet last year.  I purged it prior to Covid!  Not great planning on my part.  That means if you saw me wear it last year, you will see me wear it this year.  I am not purchasing clothes I cannot try on and cannot return.  But, do I need more clothes?  No.  I am thankful for the clothes that will keep me warm this winter.

Toilet Paper – Honestly?  You thought I wouldn’t put that on my list?  How crazy is it that we could not get toilet paper?  I understand this is happening again.  This leads to being thankful for all the truck drivers who are supplying our stores with said paper.

Cooking – I do know how to cook.  Are you thinking, “So you can cook?  That doesn’t make you special.”  No it does not, but there are a whole lot of people out there who do not know how.  Their cookbook includes carry-out menus and a list of their favorite frozen dinners.  Think how they must have panicked when restaurants had to close.  I bet they are giving thanks for carry out.

iPad – In my purse, turned off, is a flip phone.  I only use it when I go out of town.  BUT do not mess with my iPad.  That device connects me to the world.  I can google and find facts.  These facts give me information and – are you ready – information allows me to think for myself.  Facebook is – well, it is Facebook.  Norman Frog, on Instagram, is my alter ego and he has more friends than I have on Facebook.  Yup, I give thanks for my iPad. 

Jigsaw Puzzles – There they are.  Pieces which need turned over and put together.  My mother worked them and I am carrying on where she left off.  There is such a rush when I see a tiny sliver of a color and know exactly where that piece belongs.  Piece after piece placed just so and WALLA!  One picture formed from the chaos of many pieces.  Besides, Bill likes me working puzzles.  I don’t talk much while searching for a piece that should jump right out at me.

Are you getting the idea of what I am giving thanks for?  No?  Life!  When the Thanksgiving dinner starts with everyone saying what they are thankful for, the list begins:  family, friends, home, health…..  Yes, I am thankful for all that!  But why do we only mention the “big” things in life? 

Sunrises and sunsets are fantastic, but the night sky is a miracle and the sound of a gentle rain can be such a blessing to dry fields.  Music stirs our soul, brings back a moment in time, and Sweet Caroline makes us want to turn the volume up, but silence allows us to hear the leaves swish and to hear God speak.  A tall waterfall is grand and breathtaking, but a creek allows us to get our toes wet and find rocks, worn smooth by the water.  The mountains soar and the waves come and go, but our own back yard is comfortable and familiar. 

I am posting this early and hopefully you will read it before Thanksgiving Day.  This year is a rough one and you might be wondering exactly what you have to be thankful for.  This year many traditions will be broken and it is hard to accept, but look around. 

A picture of a loved one – what if no one had invented the camera?  The light switch – what if we had a light bulb, but no way to turn it on?  A glass of wine – what if someone had not stomped those grapes? 

This Thanksgiving, sit in the middle of a room and look around.  I bet you will be amazed at the things you will find to give thanks for. 

HAPPY THANKSGIVING

 

 

 

TEARS AND JOY

It seems like our church has been praying more than usual.  We are praying for a very little boy who lives with pain and a future with many medical procedures.  We pray for his family too.  We pray for Covid to end.  We pray for a young man with cancer.  We pray for those in nursing homes and those that have to throw kisses through a window.  We pray for our nation, our neighbors, and even strangers.  We pray for our pastor, as he prays for all of us.  We pray for families who have recently told a loved one goodbye.

We have had a number of families telling loved ones goodbye.  Spouses.  Favorite aunts.  Fathers.  Brothers.  Mothers.  Sisters.  Friends.  Our rural church has a few less brothers and sisters in Christ sitting in the pews.  Our congregation has offered sympathy.  Our congregation has shared memories and prepared food.  Our congregation has shed tears. 

For I am convinced that neither death nor life, ….. will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.   Romans 8:part of 38-39

(Jesus speaking) My Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you?  And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am.   John 14:2-3

Even knowing the promises, we shed tears.

BUT – mixed in with the tears, we celebrated our loved ones with joy!  Yes, grief is there.  Grief fills every inch of the room.  Grief is in every word spoken.  BUT – mixed with the grief is joy.  A joy that some cannot understand.  A joy that seems out of place with the tears.  BUT – it is there!  A joy that surrounds the grief and makes it bearable.  A joy that allows the heart to remember death is not the end.

(Jesus speaking) So with you:  Now is your time of grief, but I will see you again and you will rejoice, and no one will take away your joy.  John 16:22

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.  Romans 15:13

And that is what we do!  We trust in HIM!  We stand on HIS promises.

(Jesus speaking) No one has ever gone into heaven except the one who came from heaven – the Son of Man.  Just as Moses lifted up the snake in the wilderness, so the Son of Man must be lifted up, that everyone who believes may have eternal life in him.  John 3:13-14

Ecclesiastes 3 tells us there is a time for everything.  There is a time to die and weep and mourn.  But --- there is a time to heal and laugh and dance.

The sympathy offered to the families and friends is genuine.  Our grief is consuming, but it is for only a time.  Our joy is real and it is for eternity. 

 

 

CLEAN WINDOWS, A FLY, AND RAIN

When we moved to town and a two story home (just what two people need), it was agreed that hubby would not wash the windows.  He has vertigo and no way did I want him climbing a ladder to get the tall windows or out on the roof.  Either he agreed or I increased his insurance.  It was one or the other.  He agreed.

The nicest young man just finished washing our windows.  I do love people’s stories and this guy did not let me down.  We talked about his job.  We talked about his faith.  We shared stories on becoming stronger Christians.  He learned my favorite story is of the crippled woman and I learned his is where the friends lower a man through the roof.  He said he loves his church.  His eyes lit up when he talked.  His Spirit is on fire.  His eyes are open and he can see!

My windows are clean and I can see!

But there is this fly!  It keeps landing on the clean window.  I want to swat it, but that would leave a spot!  That darn fly just keeps coming back.  It knows I am sitting at the desk and can see it over the computer screen.  I can hear that fly sending out a message:  Go ahead.  Swat me.

NO!!  There would be fly guts all over the window.  If I tried to clean the guts off, it would streak.  GO AWAY FLY!!!!!!!!

My windows are clean and I can see!

It is cloudy, but it is not supposed to rain until – Sunday.  Sunday..that is only two days away.  I can picture it now.  Rain drops hitting my nice clean windows making the windows wet and that would allow dust and pollen to stick. 

NO!!  Please do not rain for a few days.  I am enjoying my view!  The windows are so clean I will be able to see the stars.  GO AWAY RAIN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Know what?  Faith is a lot like that clean window. 

I am doing great!  Life is fantastic.  God loves me!!!  ====

And then a fly (temptation) shows up.  Pesky thing.  Keeps buzzing around.  Waiting for me to give in.  Knowing it can wear me down. 

Or the rain (hard times/times I do not understand) comes and doubt and questions stick to my soul.  I was ready to be strong.  I knew just the right verse.  I had the fly swatter in hand when the rain shouts, “Is the fly really a problem?”  And then I question…is the fly a problem?

We can be strong.  We can know God loves us…but – if we do not keep the window to our soul clean, temptation will show up and soon we no longer can see clearly.

 

 

Note:  As I write this there has been no decision made on who will be President and Covid is controlling our lives.

TIME

I was just sitting here thinking, “Wow.  I have everything off my desk and can do….”  OH!  IT IS THURSDAY!  TOMORRROW IS BLOG DAY!  How did it get to be Thursday?  And today is busy.  You would think being retired I would have free time and could sit around eating bonbons.  Nope!

What scares me more is that where did the years go?  This Saturday I will celebrate being 74!  74—NO WAY!!!!!!!!!  It is strange, because I do not feel 74.  Well, there are days my body feels a lot older, but inside – inside I do not feel 74.  If my body felt like my insides, I could do cartwheels.

“Cartwheels, Mary?  You could not do cartwheels when you were 10.”

You are right, God.  As always.  It isn’t my birthday yet, so I know you are not here to wish me a happy birthday.  Why did you pop in?  Did I screw something up..again? 

“Screw something up?  Probably.  Want me to go check?”

No!  Are we going to discuss my shortcoming?  I really wish we would do that in private.  There are a few people who read this and they think I am perfect.

“Perfect?  I sure did give you an imagination!  Perfect…wait till I tell Jesus.  Perfect….”

Okay.  I give up.

“Exactly!”

I give up? 

“What does Philippians 4:4-7 say?”

Rejoice in the Lord always.  I will say it again:  Rejoice!  Let your gentleness be evident to all.  The Lord is near.  Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 

“Do you do that?  Do you give up being anxious in every situation?”

No.  I have been anxious about the election and about the virus.  The election has caused so many to be angry and that anger has divided our country.  I fear what will happen no matter the outcome.  I do not understand why it is happening.  I have prayed about it.  I have petitioned YOU! 

The virus is controlling our lives and I do not know who to believe.  I am told to believe the facts and science, but which facts and which science?  They change every day.  I have prayed about it.  I have petitioned YOU! 

I am anxious for our daughter.  She still has pain.  I have prayed about it.  I have petitioned YOU! 

AND YOU ARE NOT STOPPING ANY OF IT…  Yes, I am anxious.

“My child, you love Psalm 139.  It says I created you.  Does it say life will be easy?  Is there one verse in the Bible that says you will understand my plan?”

No.  It says you know the plans you have for me.  I get it now.  Give up…I need to give up being anxious and trust you.

“Yes.  Give up!  Give up being anxious.  You do not need to understand.  You need to trust.  Now read verse 7.”

And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

“Mary, give it up to me.  You do not need to understand.  Trust that I will guard your heart and your mind.  Can you do that?”

Yes. 

One more thing.  Did you bring me a birthday gift?

“Yes.  I give you my peace.”

Doesn’t get any better than that.  Thank you.

------------------------------------------------

Life is stressful right now.  And we do not know what to do.  The answer is simple, yet hard.

TRUST GOD.

Willie Nelson has an image.  Surprisingly, Willie is a very strong believer.  Please listen to this song:  IT’S NOT FOR ME TO UNDERSTAND

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7kaTpyxFkb4

 

PRAYING

Yes, I know.  I have written on this before, but, as the song says, “here we go again.” 

Am I Praying? is a children’s book written by Jeannie St. John Taylor.  The book is about Erik going to the zoo. 

“I jump out of bed in the morning thinking, “It’s going to be a great day, God!  I can’t wait to go to the zoo.”

If I just think it while I’m staring into the mirror brushing my teeth with both eyes wide open…am I praying?

The illustrations are fantastic.

Erik’s day does not go as planned.  His mother dropped him off and he left his lunch in the car.  A kid made fun of him.  He got lost at the zoo.  All day he wondered:  Am I praying:  

• when I just think it and do not say it out loud?
• when I am just waiting for God?
• when I whisper?
• when I am talking really quietly to God?
• when I’m too scared to totally trust Jesus?

Erik had a bad day, but the story ended on a happy note.  His mother brought his lunch.  The class found him.  The kid apologized for making fun of him.  Too tired to say a prayer, he closed his eyes as his mother tucked him and his last thought was, “Even if I drift off to sleep and don’t hear the last part of her prayer…I prayed, didn’t I?”

--------------------------------

When I was a kid, we were taught the proper way to pray:  head bowed, hands in the approved prayer position, and full concentration.  Hate to tell you, but my prayers are more like Erik’s.  I often wonder, “Am I praying?”

Is there a proper prayer format?  Matthew 6:5-14 tells us not to be like the hypocrites.  It seems we are to go into a room and pray unseen.  We are not to babble.  We should pray the “Our Father….”

Would I pass the “What Is The Proper Way To Pray” test?  I doubt it. 

I pray while driving.  God and I have had many good conversations, while going down the road.  Is a conversation a prayer?  Sometimes.  Other times it is just a conversation.

I pray while working around the house.  The prayer is usually proceeded by this question:  “Honestly God!  Dust?  Exactly what purpose does dust serve?”  That question leads to a prayer.  “Thank you God that I have a house to clean.  A house filled with love.  Thank you for food in the pantry and a washer and dryer.  Thank you that we have food to eat and clothes to wear.”

Many people say they pray when mowing the yard.  I would love to say I pray when mowing, but I hate to mow.  My prayer is, “Thank you God that hubby likes to mow!”

I pray when my heart hurts and when I have no control over a situation.  During those times, I ask, “How do I pray now?  Lord, I have no more words.  Lord, my mind is a jumble.”  Often, when my heart hurts and when I have no control over a situation, the only prayer I have is “Lord.  Lord.”

Is there a proper way to pray?  Want my opinion?  Yes and no.

NO:  There is no proper physical position to be in.  You can pray with your head bowed and hands in the acceptable position or you can pray with your head turned to the heavens and your hands lifted high.  You can pray in the car, in the recliner, in the kitchen, or on your knees.  You can pray with others or you can go into that room, with the door shut, and pray by yourself.  There is no proper physical position to pray.

YES:  The prayer must be honest.  The prayer must come from your heart.  From your very soul.  The prayer can be shouted or whispered.  The prayer can be so beautiful it is copied and shared on Facebook or it can be spoken between sobs.  Is there a proper way to pray?  Oh, yes!  The prayer must be honest.

BUT – God is open to all forms of prayer.  He will take them short or long.  He will take them in every language.  He will take them from each of his children.  How do you begin?  Bow your head…just kidding.  How do you begin?  Simple!

Hey God.  It’s me, Mary.  Do you have a minute?

“Of course it is you.  I know your voice.  Do I have a minute?  My child, I have eternity.”

 

A RATTLE, PUT IT IN PARK, and AN ALL RED DASHBOARD

I know how to drive.  Although hubby fills my car up more than I do, I know how to use the gas pump.  I know how to… Nope.  That pretty much covers it.  Maybe one more.  I do know when my car is not following my commands properly.

“What is that noise?” became a frequent comment.  It was not there all the time.  It was not even there every time I hit a hole, but my car had a noise problem.  A noise problem that was driving me bonkers, but refused to make its appearance known when the nice mechanic drove it.  I do believe they were humoring the “little lady” when they told me they would put it on a special machine which would find the noise.  Ah ha!  The machine pointed out a slight suspension problem.  Problem fixed!  Or so we thought.  The noise still comes and goes.  What I want to understand is how a “noise” knows I am driving. 

When I turned the car off, the red light on the instrument panel read, “Put the car in park, please.”  “IT IS IN PARK,” I shouted.  I turned the car back on.  I took the car out of park.  I put the car in park.  I turned the car off.  The red light did not come on.  Until a few days later.  My friendly mechanic, who still thinks I hear noises, made an appointment and explained this is a common problem.  We took the car to visit the mechanic.

The car was all happy and ready to come home.  The truck, on the other hand, decided to test our patience.  Hubby started the truck and ---- red lights everywhere!  The instrument panel said we had --- nothing!  No fuel.  No speedometer.  And it showed four flat tires.  Those lights stayed on all the way to the coffee shop.  Of course, coffee first!  Hubby called our friendly mechanic who said drop the truck off when you pick up the car.  True to form, the truck started and all gauges worked.  The truck received a physical and the cause of the problem was surgically removed.  The nice mechanic did not ask about my “noise.”

I bet you are wondering what I will find inspirational in all this.  Not sure.  Maybe nothing.  There is one thing I would like to point out which might save your life.

When we went to trade vehicles with the nice mechanic, it was very foggy.  Very foggy!!  There were also so many drivers who did not have their lights on.  Men are the worst!  One time a man told me, “I can see.  I don’t need them on.”  I use my lights because I WANT OTHERS TO SEE ME!!!!!!!!!!!!!

So, the next time it is foggy, pretend I am the red light, on your dashboard, flashing TURN YOUR LIGHTS ON! 

I guess there is something inspirational in all this.  Jesus is the light that clears away the fog so we can stay on the path. 

Today I am saving your human body by telling you to use your lights when it is foggy and your spiritual body by telling you to see the light of Jesus.

 

OUR MARY

Have you ever had someone say something that just took your breath away....in a good way? I had one of those moments a couple weeks ago.

Larry Wade, pastor of the Urbana Yoke Parish, also writes a blog.  (http://larry-fromthepastorsdesk.blogspot.com)  On Friday mornings, he sends an email to people in our church, friends, people in churches he pastored before coming here, and, I swear, to anyone he has ever said hi to.  This email lets them know the blogs — his and mine — are posted on the church website.

We never discuss what the other one is writing, but it is amazing how often they will be on the same subject.  In the email, Pastor Larry will give a hint as to what each blog is about.  He will warn people that I am having another conversation with God.  Or he will tell them, if they only have time to read one, they need to read mine.  Or he might remind them my mind works a bit differently than most.  That is how it goes each week....until a couple weeks ago.

I was reading the email and right there were the words: our Mary.  OUR Mary.  Our.  What a powerful word.  Our: that which belongs to us ....  I belong.  I am included. 

Hubby and I started attending Urbana Yoke Parish four years ago.  Some of my husband’s friends found out we were looking for a new church (We are not church hoppers!  We left a church we had attended 39 years.)  They invited us to Urbana Yoke Parish.  From the moment we walked in the door, I felt at home.  People came up to me and asked my name and said they were glad to have us visit.  They hoped we would return.  Return we did. 

Unlike some churches, I was immediately included.  Instead of being sent to the sidelines, I was invited to Sunday School and the Women’s Guild.  I was asked to fix food for the funeral dinners.  I was trusted to take money at the pancake breakfast.  Included is another powerful word. 

I love to hear people’s stories and they were happy to share.  I learned about being a twin and how a new bride did not know what to do with the baby chickens delivered to her door.  I laughed at the image of a man shoveling snow away from a fence so the cows could not walk over it.  I heard how a very sweet lady had been married in the parsonage.  I heard about weddings and baptisms and funerals.  People included me in their lives.

But to get an email that called me “our Mary” was unexpected. 

I told Pastor Larry how much that meant to me.  He looked shocked and said, “Well, you are our Mary.”

Words can be powerful.  Pastor Larry had no idea I would read those words and feel blessed. 

 

I told this to a friend and she understood.  A few days later, she told me that, when she thinks of this, she smiles. 

A weekly email.  Words written without thinking.  Words read.  A heart touched.  Smiles.  Words are powerful. 

Bless someone with your words this week.

—————————-

PS 

We are very thankful to attend a church where individuals are cherished. 

If someone would ask, “Who is that?” 

I am sure the answer would be, “Oh, that is our Steve.  And that is our Jolene.  And over there is our McKenzie.  She is standing beside our Carol and our John.  You must meet our Helen and our Aaron.  And this is our Bill.  This is our ___every person affiliated with UYP____

We are very thankful to attend a church where the pastor values each person and calls them “ours.”