WHO ?

How many times, when you were in school, did the English teacher have you write a paper on the question:  If you could have lunch with any famous person, living or dead, who would it be?  This same question seems to appear in magazine quizzes and discussion groups.  The answers always include one President or another.  Elvis or another famous artist is selected.  Mother Theresa is a top option and, sadly, some would sit down with a violent criminal.  I guess each has their reason for choosing the person they would enjoy eating with.

No, I have not forgotten the tremendous amount of people that would quickly say, “I would want to have lunch with Jesus.”

“Mary, would you want to have lunch with me?  I am sure you would have questions.”

Hi Jesus.  Would you be upset if I told you my pick would not be you?

“It would take a lot more than that to make me upset.  Is it because we have conversations and you pretty much have asked me every question in the book?”

I might have asked, but you sure are not very free with giving answers.  Nope, I want to sit down with your mother.

“My mother?  She is an amazing woman, but why her instead of me?”

You are getting upset, aren’t you?

“No.  Just curious.  Not very many people pick her.  And they are missing out on dining with a woman of great …….”

That is just it.  I have so many questions to ask her… Did you doubt your courage to be the mother to God’s Son?  Did you ….

“You interrupted me again."

Sorry.

“May I continue now?  What do you think it would be like dining with my mother?”

Oh, when I close my eyes and picture it, I see us sitting beside a stream.  I can see her face.  Her eyes would draw me in and make me feel safe and her skin would be so soft.  Her mouth would have a slight smile.  Her back would be straight, and her hands would have an ever so gentle …..

“Are you talking about my mother? The mother who, with one glare, could make me pick up my toys.  And would never allow me to skip school with the other boys.  And she made me eat all my vegetables."

Hey, I was not done.  Her hands would have an ever so gentle touch as she would lay her hand on mine.  And I can hear her soft voice telling me her story.  I can see her shoulders stiffen and then drop, as she relived standing … standing before the Cross.

And when she was finished, I would have no questions.  I would know the honor she felt after the angel visited her.  And I would hear her softly tell of her fears, because every mother has fears.  She would have grinned from ear to ear as she talked about you as a child.  She would have told me what it was like to hear you speak in the temple or in the courtyard or to a child.  And I would have seen the tears as she told about the last time she held your face in her hands.

And, when I could find my voice, I would humbly thank her.

~  ~  ~  ~  ~  ~  ~  ~  ~  ~  ~

I have always answered the question with Mary.  Usually, I followed that with questions I would ask her: Was he a good boy?  Surely, he got in trouble sometime.  What was his favorite food? Did he?  Did he?

BUT, as I started writing,   I realized,   if I was having lunch with Mary,  she would tell me her story     and I would have no questions. 

If you could have lunch with any famous person, living or dead, who would it be?  It would be Mary, and I would treasure every word.

THE WEDDING SHOWER

Our grandson is getting married in just a few days.  Last Sunday, our son and I went to their wedding shower.  Yes, this shower was for the Bride and Groom.  The shower was a two- and a half-hour drive --- one way, but we were more than happy to make the drive.  Besides, it was a beautiful day and we had time to talk.  Of course, talking meant missing when the road turned --- twice.  I don’t know why they hide road signs.  (You are to give an “I have been there” nod.)

We arrived at the location and the parking in front of the venue was all shut off by orange cones.  Well, being a talented driver, our son popped right between those orange cones so I could get out and not have to walk from a parking lot somewhere.  Our grandson was watching and immediately came out to help me in.  He grabbed the gifts and in we went.

You know how these events go.  Mingle.  Talk.  His side.  Her side.  A nice lunch.  A typical shower game.  It was a small shower so all went wonderfully until ---- it was announced that they had decided to open the gifts at home.  Our grandson was standing right beside me and that is when my mouth said what my brain was thinking.

With a look that only a grandma can give, I said, “I did not ride two and a half hours to not see you open your gifts.”  Grandson quickly said they would open our gifts.  Then our son spoke up, “You cannot open just one gift.  Either none or all.”

With that it was announced that the gifts would be opened there.  And as they reached for a gift, the giver would move to the edge of their chair and watch with great expectations.  The giver grinned from ear to ear when they saw the reaction to their gift.  The bride and groom could comment and say thank you directly to each person. 

And we went home.

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I wonder if that is how Jesus feels as he gives gifts to his children.  Does he sit on the edge of his seat to watch our reaction?  Do we quickly unwrap each gift and realize its value?  Do we see his smile and the sparkle in his eyes as we look up in wonder at his generosity?  Do we toss one gift aside to open the next or do we humbly thank him for each one?

                              GIFTS

Leadership            Administration     Teaching

Knowledge            Wisdom                Prophecy

Discernment         Exhortation           Shepherding

Faith                      Evangelism           Apostleship

Service/Helps       Mercy                   Giving

Hospitality            Healing                 Interpretation

Miracles                Tongues                Evangelism

BUT WAIT – THERE IS ONE MORE

#1 GIFT

Jesus answered her, “If you knew the gift of God and who it is that asks you for a drink, you would have asked him and he would have given you living water.”

Jesus answered, “Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again, but whoever drinks the water I give them will never thirst.  Indeed, THE WATER I GIVE THEM WILL BECOME IN THEM A SPRING OF WATER WELLING UP TO ETERNAL LIFE.”                    John 4:10, 13

Oh, how amazing are the gifts we receive from our Lord and Savior. 

 

DEAD BATTERY

I had errands I needed to run.  Okay, full disclosure, I did not run – I drove the car.  Or at least I tried to.

From July 25 to September 10, Bill has chauffeured me wherever I needed to be.  Off we would go to a doctor’s appointment.  Off we would go to … oh … I guess doctor appointments were the only place we went.  Bill went to all the other places:  grocery store, to get prescriptions filled, hardware, dollar store, and to pick up meals (no grub hub here).  Finally, boot off meant I could drive.  I did not need a chauffeur.  I could go to town all on my own.  Freedom!!!

I took my trusty cane.  I got in the car, armed with my list and my charge card.  I put my seat belt on.  I put the garage door up.  I pushed the brake pedal.  I pushed the Engine Start/Stop button.  The car did not start.  Instead, a message popped up:  NO KEY FOB DETECTED.  What?  I have my key in my purse.  I haven’t used it for six weeks, but it is in my purse. 

Now, more than a bit miffed, I dug my key fob out.  “See car.  Here is a key fob.”  I pushed the lock button.  It did not work.  (Big sigh.)  The battery must be dead.  BUT never fear ---

A few years back, three ladies were in Michigan.  We had gone to see a new antique store.  The day was fun.  We had laughed.  We enjoyed the store and made a purchase or two.  We stopped for supper.  Getting out of the car, I pushed the lock button.  The door did not lock.  The key fob battery was dead.  BUT never fear!  This had happened once before and I was ready.  I had a new battery in the car.  Taking the battery, into the restaurant, I figured I could quickly change the battery and we would enjoy our supper knowing we would be able to get the car started.  I knew how to insert the battery.  What I was not prepared for was getting the battery out of the plastic package.

You would think the battery was a gold brick from Fort Knox!  I did not have anything to cut through thick plastic so I turned to the gentleman standing beside me and asked, “Do you have a pocket knife I could borrow?”  He replied, “No.”  Then he moved away from us.  Did he really think we looked like dangerous characters.  Whatever --- I needed to get to that battery.

Next I tried the bartender.  “Sir, do you have a knife that would cut this plastic?  I need the battery.”  He would not give me a knife.  He took the battery, picked up a knife, and, with a “really you couldn’t get this open” smile, proceeded to … not get the battery out.  Now the man sitting at the bar was trying very hard not to laugh, as the bartender picked up a different knife.  Trying to cut the plastic, he said, “How bad do you need this battery?”  With one more try, the plastic was cut and the battery was placed in the remote.  I breathed a sigh of relief and offered a reward to the bartender.  He said, “I am going to get so much mileage telling this story, you do not need to give me a tip.”   ---

I remembered all this, as I sat in my car, with a dead remote fob battery, and a new battery.  The only difference is that the new battery was already removed from its plastic case and ready to be used. 

Because I was ready.  Sorta like Matthew 25:1-4, 10, 13

“At that time the kingdom of heaven will be like ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom.  Five of them were foolish and five were wise.  The foolish ones took their lamps but did not take any oil with them.  The wise ones, however, took oil in jars along with their lamps."

“But while they (foolish ones) were on their way to buy the oil, the bridegroom arrived.  The virgins who were ready went in with him to the wedding banquet.  And the door was shut.”

“Therefore keep watch, because you do not know the day or the hour.”

When will the key fob battery quit working?  I do not know, but I have a battery ready.

When will the bridegroom arrive?  I do not know, but I have a lamp and a jar of oil ready.

 

WHAT AM I SUPPOSED TO BE DOING?

When I was diagnosed with cancer, I was so thankful I did not have to go through chemo or radiation.  I received many cards and one said, “Just be glad you did not have ….”  Well, I was glad! But I took those words wrong.  They hurt.  I felt I was being told my cancer was no big deal.  When I told my cancer doctor about how I felt, she said everyone has to own their particular cancer (illness).  You can not play the ‘at least’ game because there is always someone who has it worse than you.”  Her words put everything into perspective.  I started with this because I want to fast forward two years.  ……………….

As you know, I had foot surgery in July and have been wearing a boot since then.  At first I could only walk on my heel.  Now I can walk normal and continue to wear the boot.  Hopefully, when you read this I will be out of the boot, because that darned boot makes me walk off stride and my back and leg are beginning to hurt.  As a matter of fact —-

I could not get comfortable.  Every part of my body hurt.  Either my arthritis (thank you mother for sharing that with me) or my back and leg hurt and that darn boot made my foot hot.  The wee hours of the night and I could not sleep.  So, I did what I often do.  I talked to God.

God, you awake?

“Yes, Mary, I am awake.”

God, I am tired!  For the last three years it has been one thing after another.  Do I have to make a list?  It ..

“Did you want me to answer about making a list or was that rhetorical?”

Rhetorical.  (You need to know that the following was said in a voice of frustration, anger, and absolute honesty.)  God, I am tired.  It seems it has been one thing after another.  Poor Bill is doing what I should be doing and it is killing me to watch him do “my work.”  And who would think a person could miss dusting?  And we have not been able to go to church … again.  The broken leg kept us home and now the toe repair stopped us from going.  I miss church.  I miss the people and Sunday School.  I miss praying together.  I miss hearing the word.  And I hurt tonight.  And I cannot sleep.  And I wonder what I am supposed to be doing?  I have a whole list of what I cannot do.  But what am I supposed to be doing?

“Check your email.” 

WHAT?  I spill out my heart and you tell me to check my email. 

“Check your email.” 

Surely God didn’t mean to check my email now…in the wee hours of the night, especially after all the things I had just said to him.  BUT I checked my email.  There it was. 

Dear Mary:

 

Sometimes reading your blog and Larry Wade's blog are what keep me going.

 

The last couple of months have been rough.   Reading your thoughts always some how "grounds" me and lets me know others have troubles and they survive.

 

Every day is a gift - even though some are so hard that does not seem to be true.

 

Things are getting better for - just hope and pray that continues. 

—————————————- 

God did mean right then because checking my email gave me a blessing.  My words encouraged someone. 

Did I go gently to sleep?  No.  I still hurt, but I had my answer: I am to use words to encourage. 

I wrote about this for a number of reasons. 

• We often say God does not answer our prayers.  He does.  Sometimes, his answer seems a bit odd so we don’t do it.  Listen.  Do what he tells you.  And when he tells you.
• We often do not realize how small actions can impact someone.  You might think it is just a greeting card.  The person receiving the card smiles because you cared and thought of them.
• We often think, “I am only one.  What can I do?”  Remember:  Jesus was only one and he called his disciples one or two at a time.  He used one Moses, one Abraham, one Esther, one Mary and one man in the tombs.  He will use you. 

I so want to thank the person that sent the email.  You were God’s messenger!!!!!! Through your email, I received peace. 

——————————— 

PS  I did not write this to get sympathy or sound like poor me.  I wrote this to let you know that, just like the person who sent the email, sometimes life is hard.  Sometimes, it just plain sucks.  Sometimes life does not seem like a gift.  BUT God uses us in HIS way.  God uses us where we are, not where we want to be. 

Also, I did get the dusting done and the boot is off.