WHY DOES HE DO THAT?

A few years back, a Sunday School Class I was teaching studied God in the Flesh: What Speechless Lawyers, Kneeling Soldiers and Shocked Crowds Teach Us about Jesus.  The author is Don Everts. 

Before we started the book, I asked the class to describe Jesus.  What do we know about him?  These are a few of the words they used:

Healer/Great Physician      Forgiver

Human Qualities      Mortal

Consistent      Approachable

Teacher      All Knowing

Son of God      Amazing

As we studied, we learned to think about who Jesus was interacting with and where he was at the time.  We read what Jesus said, but we also talked about why he said those words.

When our children were small, I often said things to Bill so the children would overhear.  I might tell Bill how bad my day was because Willie wouldn’t do his chores.  Or Terri would not pick up the toys.  Then Bill would come back with, “Oh I am so sorry you have had such a bad day.  I thought we would go to the Dairy Queen for ice cream, but now I think we will just stay home so you can relax.”  Without yelling at the children or even speaking to them directly, they realized there were consequences to their actions.

Jesus often did the same thing.

While all the people were listening, Jesus said to his disciples, “Beware of the teachers of the law.  They like to walk around in flowing robes and love to be greeted with respect in the marketplaces and have the most important seats in the synagogues and the places of honor at banquets.  They devour widows’ houses and for a show make lengthy prayers.  These men will be punished most severely.”    Luke 20:45-47

Just exactly who did Jesus want to hear these words?  Luke 20 tells us that Jesus was teaching the people in the temple courts when the chief priests, teachers of the law and elders showed up and questioned him.  They were determined to trick Jesus so they could have him arrested.  But Jesus came out on top every time and they finally gave up.  Jesus talked to his disciples knowing the priests, teachers and elders were still standing around listening.  Without speaking to them directly, Jesus let them know there would be consequences for their actions

.

Jesus spoke to the woman at the well – a Samaritan woman.  He stayed in a Samaritan town.  Jesus’ actions shouted, “I am for everyone!” 

Jesus knelt beside the woman caught in adultery and told those surrounding her to throw a stone – if they were without sin.  Jesus allowed them to leave without giving a sermon.  They learned from the words he did not say.

Jesus took a small child upon his lap and, to a world where children were disposable, declared “the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.”  Holding a child Jesus taught those around him that children are valuable and should be treated that way.

What Jesus said is recorded in red letters.  We need to remember his words.  But we need to understand why he said them.  We need to know who he was speaking to.  We need to know why he held the child.  Why he knelt beside the woman.  Why he had the Samaritan women get him a drink.  And why he spoke so the religious leaders would hear him.

When we finished the book, I asked the class to describe Jesus.  The description changed.  We saw Jesus, not for what he could do for us but why he did it.

He became human because he is obedient.

He teaches because he is wise.

He gives peace because he is a counselor

He heals because he is compassionate.

He forgives because he is loving.

He is ever present because he is eternal.

When we read the Bible.  When we read about Jesus, we need to do more than read the words.  We need to picture what was going on around Jesus.  We need to know the culture, because what Jesus said and his actions were radical at the time. 

When we know why he said something or why he did something, we will see the character of Jesus. 

REST

My blog today will be short.  I promise!  My hand is telling me it needs to rest instead of doing so much on the computer and iPad.

God rested.  After all that creating, I would say he deserved a rest.  (Genesis 2:2-3)

We are often so busy; there is no time to just be still.  We are a “right now” society and have forgotten how to be patient.  (Psalms 37:7)

Jesus told his disciples to rest.  (Mark 6:31)

My all-time favorite scripture on rest --

“Come to me all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.  Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.  For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”  Matthew 11:28-29

How about you?  Do you need to rest?  God rested.  It is perfectly fine for you to do the same!

I told you – short. 

CELEBRATE EACH DAY!!!

HONORING A FRIENDSHIP

We lived in Michigan for four years and were many miles from my family.  It was hubby, a four year old boy, a three month old girl, a mother-in-law suffering from dementia and me.  It was a learning experience!  Suddenly, in the middle of the night, I quickly learned how to call a doctor I had never met.  A little boy, burning up with a fever, and a very scared mommy was assured it would be fine.  Bill and I learned to rely on each other.  We learned how to deal with small children and a very special lady who lived in her own world.

Those four years were full of very little money, laughter and hard work.  When we left, there was one extremely valuable thing we took with us and cherish to this day:  a friendship.

And Sunday we traveled back to honor that friendship as we attended the visitation for Wayne.  We did the same for Mary a few years back.

Wayne and Mary – I could fill a book of how they encouraged, accepted, helped and welcomed us into their lives.  I do not remember how we met.  I am sure Bill met Wayne when he needed a part fixed.

Wayne, like many men his age, only finished the eighth grade.  The thing is Wayne had a gift.  He could see a problem and build something to take care of it.  A broken part – he could make it.  A machine to make parts – he would build it.  It amazed us when this humble man would tell about working for GM and traveling the world.  He told about $800 – 1,000 meals in Brussels.  (That would be around $8,000 today.)  When he was in New York, he would hire a taxi for the day.  When in Los Angeles, he would use a helicopter.  His wife would meet him at the airport and they would exchange suitcases.  Mary would go back home and Wayne would fly away. 

Mary was … Well, she was Mary.  You had to know her.  She raised the girls, took care of the home and supported Wayne.  She had a smile that lit up her face and she was part monkey.  One time, I was trying to figure out how I was going to paint a stairway that led to the basement.  No problem for her.  She brought over a couple of boards and, I swear, hung from the ceiling as she painted away.  Mary filled a spot in my life that needed filled and she did it with quiet dignity.

They had two daughters, Judy and Susie.  Wonderful girls and Susie was the right age to babysit.  Plus, our daughter thought Susie was her best friend ever, although they did ask if Terri could not eat onions before coming over. 

If you drove into their yard, you would not believe your eyes.  They lived simply.  BUT, there was the area Wayne called his.  The Shop!  Machines of every description.  Our son swore Wayne had every tool ever invented.  Plus hit and miss engines, one of which ran on lard.  Plus old tractors.  Plus a car he bought at an auction.  He carried it home in a bushel basket and, way before google, Wayne researched what parts were missing.  Eventually, a car called Orient sat in their garage.

They helped us move.  They visited and spent many New Year’s Day enjoying a meal with our family and friends.  They even took one of our cats on vacation.  It was not intentional.  The small kitten crawled into the wheel well.  They discovered the stowaway when they heard a funny sound.  Each time they had coffee; they would keep the creamer and give it to the kitten.  On their way home, they stopped, knocked on the door and asked, “Did you miss this little guy?”

The memories are there:  A 25^th Anniversary.  A 50^th Anniversary.  A dog named Gretchen.  A mountain of shopping carts.  (A whole story by itself.)  Two children who fell asleep on their floor as easily as they fell asleep at home.  Wayne and Bill standing under a tree talking.  Mary and I being friends. 

Today I honor a friendship.  A friendship that lasted over years and miles.  A friendship that blessed our lives from the time we heard, “Hi my name is Wayne and this is my wife, Mary.”

About Me

Answer these questions.  One point for each thing you have done.  Ten things about me.  Seven things about me.  These pop up on Facebook constantly.  Trouble is, I am pretty much an open book and I have trouble coming up with ten or seven things no one knows.

Yes I have:  Been to all 50 states -- Flown in a hot air balloon -- Gotten more than one ticket for speeding – Been to a concert – Gotten a bit misplaced (aka lost) – Worked as a car hop – Delivered a calf

No I have never:  Gotten a tattoo – Been arrested – Ridden a motorcycle – Been to Europe – Sang karaoke

Ten Favorites:  Color:  Depends on the day – Food:  Cheesecake – Season:  Any except summer (too hot) – Day:  Sunday (Hey, my minister reads this, what else could I say?) – Vacation spot:  Jasper, Alberta – Drink:  Water – TV Show:  American Ninja Warrior – ARE THERE TEN YET? – Holiday:  My birthday (It should be a holiday) – Game:  Sorry – Books:  Jan Karon’s Mitford Series or Lee Child’s Jack Reacher Series.  Finally ten!

If I am mad, it is very obvious.  If I am scared, hurt or worried, it shows.  If I am happy, there is no doubt.  Yup, pretty much an open book. 

But if you think I am an open book, read about Jesus!  My goodness!  That man hid nothing!  (Yes he did wait a bit to allow everyone to see that he is the Son of God but that was a timing thing.  That news had to be timed just right and totally orchestrated by God.)

Today, your phone will tell everyone where you are eating supper, who you are with and what time you tucked yourself in bed.  Nothing available like that when Jesus was traveling around but there had to be two tin cans on a very long string, because when Jesus showed up, so did the crowds. 

When they heard about all he was doing, many people came to him from Judea, Jerusalem Idumea, and the regions across the Jordan and around Tyre and Sidon.  Mark 3:8

Jesus was not afraid to answer all the questions the priests, elders and teachers ask.  He also was not afraid to point out their ---

Indignant because Jesus had healed on the Sabbath, the synagogue leader said to the people, “There are six days for work.  So come and be healed on those days, not on the Sabbath.”  The Lord answered him, “You hypocrites!....”  Luke 13:14 and first of 15

Yup, on open book.  Jesus did not mince words.

Sometimes we try to hold in our emotions.  We are afraid for others to see our tears.  Not Jesus.

When Mary reached the place where Jesus was and saw him, she fell at his feet and said, “Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died.”

When Jesus saw her weeping, and the Jews who had come along with her also weeping, he was deeply moved in spirit and troubled.  “Where have you laid him?” he asked.

“Come and see, Lord,” they replied.

Jesus wept.        John 11:32-35

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Want to know something about me?  Just ask.  I will be glad to answer your question.

Want to know something about Jesus?

Open your Bible to Matthew and start reading.

You can quit reading when you finish Revelation 22:6.

Of course, in all honesty, you never quit reading.

Because each time you read, you will discover something you missed the first time.

STITCHES AND LEFT HAND ADVENTURES

If you are reading this around 11:30 AM, I am getting the stitches out from my carpel tunnel surgery.  I had the left hand done in March and the right hand the 11th.   Soon I will be back to normal (or as normal as I ever get) except my hands will not hurt. 

When the use of my left hand was limited, it did not seem too bad.  I am right handed.  Very right handed.  So, day to day life moved along.  Not so much this time!

You did see the “very” before right handed, didn’t you?  Do you know how hard it is to wash one hand?  I learned from last time and set hand wipes at every sink for this recovery time.  I also found out my tooth brush is for right handed people.  It did not want to work properly in my left hand, so I held the brush still and moved my head.  (Go ahead and laugh at the picture you have in your mind.  Better yet, try it.)  Putting on make-up sorta worked.  I got the foundation on with my left hand.  Easy!  Then came eye shadow and lipstick.  I quickly decided eye shadow was not that important and the lipstick was on the lips … so declared my attempts a success. 

Hair is another matter entirely.  How easy it was with my right hand.  Brush the wet hair to the back.  Make a part and pull some down above my ears.  Scrunch in a bit of curl.  Done!  BUT – left handed, the brush just did not cooperate.  Maybe it is a right handed brush.  And try making a part.  And I gave up on the cow lick I have had since birth. 

Hubby, bless his heart, did his usual chores and took on cooking while I supervised.  A two pound weight limit, on that right hand, limited what I could pick up.  I swear there is nothing in our kitchen that weighs less than two pounds!  We did eat!  After hubby cut up my food. 

Picking up that fork or spoon with my left hand made me quickly realize I should have paid more attention to angles in math class.  The angle of the right hand inserting food into the mouth is not the same for the left hand.  Maybe there is left handed silverware. 

Plus, scissors do not cut paper and snippers do not cut roses when held in the left hand.  Yes, this has been a learning experience for a very right handed person to do things with her left hand.

Having no idea what to write for this week, I started in and hopefully this gives you a chuckle.  Is there a lesson in here somewhere?  Probably but I am not going to look for it.  So if you find a lesson, let me know.

Celebrate each day and stock up on left handed toothbrushes, hair brushes, silverware and scissors.  You just never know when you might need them.  You might want to practice using the left handed silverware.  Or go back to math class and study angles because everything sure is backwards.

A FAR COUNTRY

I love to travel!  It started slow.  One very tiny trip.  Another small trip two years later.  I knew I wanted to travel but there was also a necessary item called money.  We did not have much of it!  A few years later made numerous trips to Florida because that is where hubby’s uncle lived.  Eventually –

Eventually, as we saved a bit here and there, we expanded our horizons.  Some women shop.  I put money back for vacations.  Some kids got toys for Christmas.  One year, our kids got a cooler, a two gallon water jug, an atlas, a couple of really bright flashlights and a newspaper grill.  (Yes it is a real thing.)  I never thought how that would sound when they went back to school and were asked, “What did you get for Christmas?”  I am not sure how they responded but I bet the other kids felt sorry for them.  I mean, who wants an atlas under the tree?

Thankfully, hubby finally realized vacations were going to happen so he might as well relax and enjoy our adventures.  He has fun as I navigate him onto interstates, two lane highways and dirt roads.  The dirt roads always came as a surprise.  Somehow, I always think a tiny line in the atlas only means less blacktop.  We have been on one lane roads and extremely crooked roads.  I swear they do not look that crooked in the atlas.  Have those atlas people ever driven on the Going to the Sun Road or US 191 from north to south?  Now that I have an iPad, I can see exactly what we are in for and warn him in advance.  No!  I do not route him to a more direct route.  What fun would that be?

I am one state and a few islands ahead of Bill.  Silly man likes to keep his feet on the ground and would not fly to Hawaii nor sail off into the sunset.  We have been very blessed to travel to lands near and far. 

-   -   -   -   -   -   -

A minister was talking about the parable of the prodigal son and said that “distant country” or “far country” meant being separated from God.  I had never thought about it that way.  I just thought the young son left town, didn’t do so great and came home. 

My next thought was THANK YOU LORD THAT WHEN I HAVE BEEN IN A FAR COUNTRY I WAS NOT SEPARATED FROM YOU!!!

What followed in my head was a whirlwind of thoughts. 

-          Traveling does not separate you from God.

-          You could be separated from God while sitting in your easy chair.

-          Oh, I never want to be separated from God.

-          But how can I be separated when God is always with me?

-          What would it feel like to be separated from God?

-          What if you had never known God?

-          What?  If?  How? 

Slowly, my mind decided the word separated is a place I never want to be.  But guess what – IT AIN’T GONNA HAPPEN!! 

Who shall separate us from the love of Christ?  Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword?  As it is written:  “For your sake we face death all day long; we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered.”

No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.  For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Romans 8:31-39

Of all things I might think I need to worry about, being separated from God is not one of them.  With Jesus as my Lord, I am a conqueror!  It does not say this or that can separate me.  It says NEITHER and NOR.  Those words mean this sheep is never – NEVER – separated from God.  Not when I am in my easy chair and not when I am thousands of miles away.

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This picture is titled The Glory of God.

This Glorious God loves you and you are never separated from Him!!!

THE MAGIC 8 BALL

There was an article on what you could take on a plane with you and guess what was on the no-no list. ….. A Magic 8 Ball! 

From the TRANSPORTATION SECURITY ADMINISTRATION:

Magic 8 Ball

Carry On Bags:  No        Checked Bags:  Yes

For Carry-on bags: We asked the Magic 8 Ball and it told us…Outlook not so good!

For Checked bags: We asked the Magic 8 Ball and it told us…It is certain!

Who knew the TSA had such a sense of humor?

I had a Magic 8 Ball.  It was a long time ago, but I remember asking it a question:  Will I pass the English test?  Then I would turn the ball over and look at the answer.  NO?  What do you mean no?  That is not the answer I wanted.  So, I would keep turning the ball over until it came up yes. 

It seems many people use the Bible like a Magic 8 Ball.  Maybe I should try that.  I do have a lot of questions.  (I promise to use the scripture my finger lands on the first time!)

Will this experiment turn out as I expect? === When they had finished eating, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon son of John, do you truly love me more than these?”  John 21:15 === I must admit it took three times.  First try my finger landed on a description of the book of Esther instead of a scripture.  Second try my finger landed on a blank part of a page.  Third try and I am not sure how this answers my question.  Maybe a different question.

This will be a simple yes/no question:  Will it rain tomorrow? === The poor will eat and be satisfied; they who seek the LORD will praise him – may your hearts live forever!  Psalm 22:26 === Well…..the poor will eat and be satisfied could be taken that the rain came and the crops were abundant and, therefore, even the poor will have food.  Sorta.  I could make it apply to my question.

Let’s try another question:  Should I go to church? === BIG DISCLAIMER:  I wrote the question.  Closed my eyes.  Opened the Bible.  Put my finger on the last part of Acts 11:17:  who was I to think that I could oppose God?” 

And God put his 2 X 4 down and said, “Mary, you are kidding right?  Is this how I want you to read my Word?  I whacked you with this verse so you would stop using the Wisdom of my Word like a silly Magic 8 Ball.”

But God, that 8 Ball was fun and …..

“Oh my goodness.  Look at Genesis 1:1.  What does it say?”

In the beginning God ..

“Stop right there.  Does it say in the beginning the Magic 8 Ball ..?”

No, but I was just …..

“Remember, My Word is true.  Unchanging.  Now go read Psalm 139.  I know it is your favorite.”

With that God turned to Gabriel and said, “Do you think she gets it?”

With a smile, Gabriel answered, “It is certain.”

BEGINNINGS

Tonight there is a new beginning.  Our grandson graduates from high school.  He will begin a new part of his life.  Going from high school to college might not qualify as new to some.  He will exchange one set of classes for another.  One set of teachers for another.  He will study in a different location, but he WILL study.  Grandma will make sure. 

There will be major changes.  Although he will be surrounded by people, he will leave his brothers behind.  He will not have his mommy looking over his shoulder nor his daddy setting a curfew.  He will begin to control his own life.  He will keep track of his own schedule and when reports are due.  (To be honest, this grandson already does that.)  He will be – are you ready?  He will be responsible for himself! 

Responsibility – for sure a new beginning.

This makes me think about all my new beginnings.  Do not run in fear.  I am not going to tell you all of them!

Graduation:  I was sooooo happy to graduate.  I love to learn but I never did like school.  I love to read, but was forced to pick from a list created by someone who had no idea what my interests were.  I love numbers but could not understand why I needed to learn all those formulas when they were right there in the book.  I wanted to play drums but was told girls do not play drums.  For sure I was not the cheerleader type, the choir director ran when she saw me coming and I had to keep my shoes on.  I do want you to know I was a very well behaved.  A few of us skipped out on an assembly and the principal marked me present because he just knew the teacher missed me.  I did not correct him.  Graduation!  YES.  But the real reason…..

Love and Marriage:  Well, first came business school until I got a job paying $90 a week.  I had gone to business school long enough to know $ 90 a week in beat $90 a month out for school.  And that $90 a week sure beat the 35¢ an hour as a car hop.  Of course there were tips at the car hop job.  And a good lookin guy in a really cool, black car.  A first date, a few more and wham.  He was mine.  First came love, then came marriage, then came

A Boy:  I had never even babysat!  And there were no classes at the local hospital.  This beginning did not come with instructions.  Feeling really sharp pain in the middle of the night.  Hospital.  Child.  Home.  What if I stick him?  (We used cloth diapers and pins back in the dark ages.  No fake diaper with Velcro)  What if I drop him?  A bath?  I have to give him a bath?  Ok.  It was not really that bad.  I fell in love that little guy the minute I laid eyes on him.  I rocked him.  I read him stories.  And thought he looked absolutely adorable in bib overalls.  Oh my ..

A Girl:  Then there were two of those little people.  But this one was a girl.  With hair that needed combed and put into pigtails.  A sweet little thing that loved to climb.  I never knew where I would find her.  Often it was in the doctor’s office getting stitches!  She would put her dishes in a dump truck.  She carried her dolls upside down.  She carried a cat in the crook of her arm and squeezed until its eyes were ready to pop out.

New Homes:  A home is where you hang your hat and, during my adult life and if I wore a hat, it would have hung in seven different homes.  I never minded moving.  It is a great way to thin out possessions, meet new people and celebrate new memories.

Retirement:  Talk about a change.  Yes, we still do some real estate sales, but no more sitting at a desk because I have to.  Now I google away for fun.  Or to get facts because I am battling with our local school board.  Now I can read whatever I want from my own list.  I do not care how to find the square root of anything.  We can go on vacation when we want and do not have to worry about getting reports out.  I can write this blog and let the cleaning wait until whenever.  And I can go to a high school graduation tonight.

= = = = = = = = =

This has absolutely no point.  It is about beginnings.  It is about life.  Oh, …..

Maybe it does have a point.  Each day is a new beginning.  It is full of wonder.  Excitement.  Joy.  Calm.  Trouble.  Each day is a new beginning and an opportunity.  Enjoy it.  Be good enough to get marked present the only time you skip school, read those crazy words in Dr. Seuss (with sound effects), help load toy dishes into a toy dump truck, do not get stuck in comfortable and relax. 

THANK YOU LORD I HEARD THE PHONE

I heard a new song, Dream Small, by Josh Wilson and I thought, “What?  I thought we were to dream big.  Strive to achieve our wildest dream.”  This song said just the opposite.

Dream Small (excerpts)

It’s a momma singing songs about the Lord --- It’s a daddy spending family time

Simple moments change the world --- Little ways

It’s visiting the widow --- Dancing on a Friday

Don’t bother like you’ve gotta do it all

Jesus use you where you are

Dream Small

:  :  :  :  :  :  :  :  :  :  :  :

THANK YOU LORD I HEARD THE PHONE --

The sweeper makes a lot of noise but I thought I heard the phone ring.  Yes, it was ringing and thank you Lord I heard the phone.  A friend and I talked for 45 minutes as she told about her husband being in the hospital.  He is taking chemo, his white count was down and his fever was up.  I listened.  I asked how she was doing.  I listened.  Dream small:  Thank you Lord I did not miss a phone call from a friend.

THANK YOU LORD THE MORNING WAS FREE --

A gal I have been friends with for years called.  You must know, we have shopped, laughed, bowled, shared many meals, and she was there when I got stopped for shop lifting.  (A story for another day but she stood outside the store and laughed.  She also laughed when I got stopped for speeding on the way home.  Yes, we are still friends.)  “What are you doing Friday?”  It depends.  What do you need and what time, because we have plans that evening?  “I need a ride to a doctor’s appointment at 10:00.”  Can do!  I will pick you up at 9:00.  Dream small:  Thank you Lord I could be available to do a small favor.

THANK YOU LORD I HAVE THE TIME --

“Mom, want to spend time with Tim on Tuesday?”  What does he have on Tuesday evening or Wednesday morning?  “Nothing.”  How about I pick him up Tuesday morning and bring him back Wednesday around 1:00?  I have to be your way both days.  “That works.”  Time with a grandson who does not yet know he will be helping clean house!  Dream small:  Thank you Lord I have time to share.

:  :  :  :  :  :  :  :  :  :  :  :

Dream small?  Simple moments change the world?  Maybe this song makes more sense than what I first thought.

I will never make a tremendous difference in the world like Mother Teresa.  I will never be heard by millions and millions like Billy Graham.  I will never …..

BUT I can listen to a friend.  A small thing.  I can help a friend.  A little thing.  I can enjoy a grandson.  A simple thing.

In their hearts humans plan their course, but the LORD establishes their steps.

Proverbs 16:9

Three phone calls.  Each with a simple request.  Thank you Lord I heard the phone.

:  :  :  :  :  :  :  :  :  :  :  :

Link to DREAM SMALL:

https://www.bing.com/videos/search?q=dream+small+josh+wilson&&view=detail&mid=F0775C959C7F9D79088DF0775C959C7F9D79088D&&FORM=VDRVRV

Link to DREAM SMALL lyrics.

https://www.azlyrics.com/lyrics/joshwilson/dreamsmall.html

GOOD ENOUGH

Other than when I am working with numbers, I am not a perfectionist.  Often, good enough is fine.  Almost works.  No one will notice covers many situations. 

Believe me; more meals would be chopped than allowed into the next round.  Dusting around the edges would be normal and not the current, most likely short-lived, cleaning mode I am in.  (My grandkids would say our house is very clean even before I hit the edges.  Plus, I have convinced hubby dust is protecting the wood from ultraviolet sun rays.)  I love to sew, but can guarantee the teacher for home economics (That is what it was called in the 60’s – that would be the 1960’s not any century prior to that.) would shake her head and point out which seams had to be ripped out and sown again.  Yup.  I am not a perfectionist.

But I am trying to be perfect.  I want to be perfect – not at cooking or cleaning or sewing ---- I want to be perfect as a Christian.  I want to be the perfect Mary.  I want God to look down and say, “Oh my.  There is Mary.  There is my perfect little girl.”

I looked up scriptures with the word perfect, perfecter, perfecting, and perfection.  Not a single one contained my name or assured me I am perfect.  It must be a misprint!  Surely some monk came across that verse, thought, “Mary.  Perfect.  No way.”, and deleted it.  (Just kidding Pastor Larry.  I listened to you telling how meticulous those monks were with making sure every ‘i’ was dotted and every ‘t’ crossed.)

Jesus speaking:  Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.

Matthew 5:48

Oh great.  There is a verse telling me to be perfect.  Now what?

Okay.  Time to be serious. 

I read a number of commentaries on Matthew 5:48.  This excerpt written by James Burton Coffman explains:

No one can say that Christ did not set a high standard for man to follow! To be perfect as God is perfect, what a challenge this is! At the outset, every candid student of the Holy Scriptures should admit and understand that there is not the slightest possibility of his ever graduating from this school, "Magna cum Laude"! Nobody, but nobody is ever going to be perfect; and yet, it is the genius of the Christian religion that perfection is required of its adherents. A contradiction? No, only a paradox. The goal or ideal is necessary that man may continually know that he is unworthy of salvation, that he can never in a million years merit it, and that any real perfection he might eventually attain must be the free gift of Christ.

Nevertheless, how boldly Christ flung down the challenge! PERFECTION.

I am to be perfect AS the heavenly Father is perfect.  First, I know I am not perfect.  Second, I know I will not be perfect until I hear the words, “Welcome home Mary.” Third, I can try.

To be perfect AS the heavenly Father, I need to learn His wisdom, His goodness, His truthfulness, His love, His mercy, His grace, His forgiveness, ----- and extend those to everyone I meet. 

Am I up to the challenge?  I am going to do my best! 

BECAUSE, to not aim to be AS perfect as the heavenly Father is settling for good enough or almost. 

AND to not aim to be AS perfect as the heavenly Father will guarantee that others will notice when they hear me called a Christian.

THIS WON’T TAKE LONG

It started with an idea.  My grandchildren are no longer into crafts with grandma.  They are “too old” for water colors, crayons and stickers.  Hopefully, there will be great-grandchildren to join into my creative fun someday, but, right now, there seemed to be no good reason to keep those supplies.  They will dry out and be no good to anyone.  I would give those supplies to a friend with grandchildren just the right age.

I opened the drawers holding the markers.  There were a lot more markers than I remembered.  Keeping back a few, I put the rest into bags.  (Did you get the plural on bags?)  The crayons came next.  Thinking hard I tried to remember why I had so many boxes of crayons.  Oh well.  I kept one box and the rest were placed in another bag.  The construction paper was picked over.  Why do brown, black and that one shade of green never get used?  The paper disappeared into the bag.  I was quickly getting closer to the end.  Yes, we had fun making decorations with those little pieces of Perler plastic that you put on a form and then iron so they stick together.  I also had fun stepping on the ones that somehow escaped and were trying to get away.  Into the sack they went.  DONE! 

Or so I thought.  There was only one problem.  The space taken up by unused crafts was now empty.  Opening the doors to my sewing supply closet, I figured I would quickly move a few items into those drawers.  I figured wrong!  I did sort some items into the drawers.  But that left an empty space on the shelf.  I moved items around and filled that space. Then….

Do you see what happens with one small idea?  I ended up cleaning the closet.  When did I ever think I would use a very small triangle of hot pink fabric?  I started pitching pieces of material too small to use.  I moved items to another closet that had somehow migrated from their original location.  Of course, I also rearranged that closet.  There were items in the closet I had no use for.  Mattress pad covers that were so lumpy no self-resecting dog would even lay on them.  Into the trash they went. 

Then, the floor needed sweeping.  You do not clean without making a mess!  So the closet was cleaned, the floor swept but that made the dust show on the bookcase.  Why did I not turn out that light bulb that went off in my head and made me want to give those craft supplies away!

Have you ever had this happen to you?  One small idea, which should not take long to accomplish, that leads to another and another and another and….

I tell about my day because there is something I am very guilty of.  I study to teach Sunday School or when taking a Bible Study and I read this and that to help me be a better Christian.  I search the scriptures.  I google.  I can fill myself with a lot of knowledge.  What I need to do is dig deep, find a really big trash bag and get rid of all the things I no longer need, such as old habits, things I have believed that are not Biblical, and wanting things my way.  That will mean there is room for God to fill up my heart and load down my inner being with patience (I really need that), kindness, compassion, love …..

And then God can sweep up the mess I made and dust the bookcase.

(Paul’s prayer for the Ephesians)  For this reason I kneel before the Father, for whom every family in heaven and on earth derives its name.  I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith.  And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge – that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.  Ephesians 3:14-19

What do you need to toss out so God can fill you?

IF I WERE IN CHARGE

I do not know about you, but I want spring!  You know, those nice cool in the morning, sunny in the afternoon and still a bit chilly at night days that come after winter and before summer.  Spring seems to be a bit confused this year.  Maybe it got lost when we did that stupid change-your-clock thing.

If I were in charge of the weather, it would be spring!

I do not know about you, but I hate weeds.  Weeds do not seem to care if their feet are too wet or too dry.  They grow and grow and grow.  And try pulling a weed.  I swear their roots go all the way to the Indian Ocean.  (The Indian Ocean is on the other side of the world from where I live.  What about you?  Check out:  https://www.freemaptools.com/tunnel-to-other-side-of-the-earth.htm )

If I were in charge, there would be no weeds!

I do not know about you, but I love chocolate.  Chocolate has attitude.  Add it to hot milk and it will make a cold night cozy.  Put it around peanut butter and you would swear you were in heaven.  A small piece of chocolate will chase away a bad mood and make children smile.

If I were in charge, chocolate would be at the very top of the good-for-you food chart.

I do not know about you, but I love to blow bubbles.  First dipping the wand into the bubble stuff, taking a deep breath, blowing it out and, as if by magic, a bubble floats into the air.  It swirls, colors appearing as it climbs and climbs and – bursts.  Breathe.  Blow.  Bubbles.  Over and over and over.  Till the sky is full.  And as those bubbles float away, my body relaxes, worries seem a bit lighter and the world is not so crazy.

If I were in charge, every person in the world would blow bubbles.

I bet you are thinking, “Wow!  I am sure glad she is not in charge.”

I am glad I am not in charge either.  My idea of a perfect world…a perfect life…a perfect day…would be at odds with just about everyone else in the world.  If I wanted a nice rain, the people wanting to go on a picnic would not be happy.  If I declared it to be summer all over the globe, the penguins in the Antarctica would have no place to care for their eggs.  If I ---

If I were in charge, there would be chaos.  I am good at a few things, but running the world – the universe – is not a challenge I am up to.  Not me!!

And God said,

Genesis 1:  The first words of verses 3, 6, 9, 11, 14, 20, 24, 26, 29

“And God said,” – I love those verses.  All God had to do was speak and it happened.  God created this world, this universe, me.  God is in charge.

Then the LORD spoke to Job out of the storm.  He said:  “Who is this that obscures my plans with words without knowledge?  Brace yourself like a man;  I will question you, and you shall answer me.

“Where were you when I laid the earth’s foundation?  Tell me, if you understand.  Who marked off its dimensions?  Surely you know!  Who stretched a measuring line across it?  On what were its footings set, or who laid its cornerstone – while the morning stars sang together and the angels shouted for joy?

“Who shut up the sea behind doors when it burst forth from the womb, when I made the clouds its garment and wrapped it in thick darkness, when I fixed limits for it and set its doors and bars in place, when I said, ‘This far you may come and no farther; here is where your proud waves halt’?                     Job 38:1-11

If I ever even begin to think I should be in charge, I read Job.  In Job 38 – 41, God has a talk with Job.  (Think about a time someone had a talk with you.  Now multiply that times, oh let’s say, a gazillion.  That is how Job must have felt.)  During this talk, among other things, we learn that God:

• Laid the earth’s foundation
• Controls the seas, the sun, the moon, snow, hail, lightning, winds, rain, ice, and stars
• Provides for the lioness, raven, mountain goats, bears, wild donkey, wild ox, ostrich, horse, hawk, and eagle
• Is adorned with glory and splendor and clothed in honor and majesty
• Will release the fury of His wrath, dispense justice, bring the proud low and humble them, and crush the wicked

Then Job replied to the LORD:  “I know that you can do all things; no purpose of yours can be thwarted.  You asked, ‘Who is this that obscures my plans without knowledge?’  Surely I spoke of things I did not understand, things too wonderful for me to know.  Job 42:1-3

Job got it!!

God has a plan and I do not want to hear, “What are you thinking Mary?  You in charge?  You want to dispute me?  You want to argue with me?  You want me to set times for judgment?  You want answers?  This is going to be fun.  Brace yourself …..”

I get it. 

The LORD has a plan and for sure I do not understand it.  I just know it is the perfect plan and HIS plan has been in place since the very first “In the beginning.”