BUT I LIVED

We ask questions as soon as we can speak a one word sentence: Why?  Children ask question after question.

·       Why is a dandelion yellow?

·       Why do dogs chase their tails?

·       Why do I have to eat my veggies?

·       Why do I have to go to bed?

·       Do you love me?

Parents will try their best to answer the questions, but often resort to, “Go ask your mother/father.”

Many years ago, I took a lay speaker class and had to write a message.  It was titled: WHY ME?  I wondered why I was fortunate enough to see, when others were blind.  Why was I blessed with being a mother, when others have empty arms?  You get the idea.  Now I have another question and I cannot find the answer.

My question comes from two events.  In 1998, I died during a simple gallbladder surgery.  It is not unusual for people to die during surgery, but with today’s technology, people survive heart attacks, strokes, injuries, and gallbladder surgeries.  I always told people, “God wasn’t done with me and the devil didn’t know what to do with me.” But the question remained, “Why did I not stay dead?”

And then — October 2022 — a blood infection — doctors and nurses told me, “We thought you would not survive.”  The question from 1998, that was a speck in the back of my mind, became a boulder.

WHY DID I LIVE?  I have talked to a number of people and found that I am not the only person with this question.  Sam (often in the local pool the same time I am) and I got to talking and I told him about my question.  He got a funny look and then said, “I have the same question.  My heart attack … why ...  now what am I supposed to do?”

We all know people who have died and were revived or people who, against all medical reason, recovered.  Those that I talked to ask the question:  “I lived.  Now what?  What am I supposed to be doing?  Surely there is something new or important I am to do. 

BUT, isn’t this a question we all ask?  What am I supposed to do?

~   ~   ~   ~   ~   ~

I started this blog, awake but still in bed, at 6:00 AM, Tuesday, May 23.  I had an appointment so I had to get up, get dressed, and get going.  Finishing the blog would have to wait.  As I was driving, it hit me and my question was answered. 

What am I supposed to do?  What are we all supposed to do?  We are to live!  We are to live right where God put us.  

We are to go to the grandkids games and root for the home team.  We are to volunteer.  We are to go to supper with our loved ones and friends.  We are to go grocery shopping, mow the yard, cook, clean, do laundry, and make the bed.  We are to go to a movie.  We are to eat a cinnamon roll.  We are to walk in the grass and plant flowers.  We are to go to work.  We are to wipe a child’s tears, kiss away the hurt, laugh with them, and read a bedtime story.  We are to worship.  Get the idea?

What are we supposed to do?  We are to live!  BUT we are to live with joy and humility.  We are to be kind and compassionate.  We are to acknowledge the blessings which surround us.  We are to hold others as they grieve and lift them up in prayer.  We are to celebrate babies and birthdays and anniversaries and recoveries.  We are to encourage and support others who are going through trials and accept encouragement and support when we face our trials.  Get the idea?

LIVE!!  THAT IS WHAT WE ALL ARE TO DO.  LIVE - WITH JOY AND KINDNESS AND …….

BUZZARDS

I manage the Facebook page for Urbana Yoke Parish and Monday’s post is called Monday Hodgepodge.  That post can be anything from a cartoon to information about buzzards.  Yes, you read that right:  buzzards.

What pops into your mind when you see a buzzard?  Maybe, “They are ugly.” or “They eat dead animals.”  You would be right on both thoughts, but did you also know:

• Around the world, there are 23 vulture species.
• They have weak feet and legs and cannot carry prey away.
• Lacking a syrinx, New World vultures are nearly silent.
• In hot weather, vultures pee on their legs to cool off.

If you are still reading this, I am really proud of you.  Here is a question for you:  Is it a Buzzard or a Vulture?  If you can tell the difference, you are for sure a birder.  (A birder is a person who spends time watching and documenting bird species.)  There is a difference though.  Vultures are large, bald birds that sniff out dead animals and then have lunch.  Buzzards are smaller than vultures and prefer to hunt, attack, and eat their prey, but they will have an afternoon snack on road kill.  The truth is you may call them whatever you want.  Early colonists saw those birds flying around and assumed they were buzzards like they had back home.  Since there was no internet, they could not access Google to see if there was a difference.  Therefore, the bird is called buzzard by everyone except a Master Birder.  (Yes, after an enormous amount of study, you can be certified as a Master Birder.)

THIS IS INTERESTING, BUT WHAT IS THE POINT?

Genesis 1:20 tells us that God created birds to fly above the earth.  God created the vulture and, although they have a foul reputation, they do serve an important function in God’s creation and His Word.  They pluck out eyes, gather around a carcass, and find plenty to eat in the Book of Revelation.  And ….

YET!  Have you ever watched a buzzard fly?  Have you watched them spread their wings, catch a current, and gracefully rise higher and higher?  Have you watched in the evening?  First one will fly over.  Then another.  Then another.  Buzzards are very social birds.  Another buzzard joins the three.  And they head home.

Yes, buzzards are hard on the eyes.  They eat dead stuff.  Their vomit stinks and is used to ward off anyone who gets too close.  And …

Sinners are hard on the eyes.  Their actions are against the Word of God.  What comes out of their mouths is spewed to ward off anyone trying to get too close.  And …

YET!  Have you ever watched a sinner after they find Jesus?  Have you watched them spread their wings and catch the Spirit, as they gracefully rise higher and higher?  Have you ever watched on a Sunday morning, as one walks in the door of the church?  And then another.  And then another.  Forgiven sinners are very social.  Another joins the three.  And they are in the Lord’s House of Prayer.

I guess we are like buzzards.  We – each of us - serve an important function in God’s creation and His Word.

 PLANTING THE GARDEN

Bill has the garden planted.   There are rows of lettuce, green beans, sweet corn, tomatoes, and bell peppers.   Because I made the decision to no longer can green beans and tomatoes, he has cut back on the size of the garden.   When he was planting for us and our kids, he would plant six rows of corn and six of beans.   He would add ten tomato plants and a like number of pepper plants.   This year it is two rows of beans, three rows of corn, six pepper plants and six tomato plants.   

You will notice I said, “Bill plants the garden.”  I used to. 

One year, I planted a garden that did not come up.  Nothing!  Nada!  We finally figured out why.  Seems an overabundance of manure had been spread in that area and it burnt up the plants.  That year there were empty jars in the pantry. 

I planted, hoed, harvested, and canned all the goodies the years we lived in Michigan.  Plus fruit from the many orchards surrounding our home.  We moved back to Indiana and I continued my garden work —- until the day the planting and care of the garden changed hands.

There I was, working away in the garden.  The beans and corn were in the ground.  The tomatoes were planted.  I was rather proud of the progress I had made that day.  Then Bill came home. 

Mr. My Rows Are Straight said, “Your rows are crooked.”  I replied, “You get more in a crooked row.”  I saw no reason to use stakes and a string to make a straight row.  A hoe handle worked just fine and was much faster.

Then Mr. Equal Spaced Plants said, “Your tomatoes are too far apart.”  I replied, “They will be easier to pick that way.”  Why trip over plants when there was plenty of space?

To this day, I do not remember what the third comment Mr. Garden Planting Know It All made.  I just remember handing him the hoe, that still had dirt on the end of the handle from making rows, and said, “No problem.  I will turn the planting and care of the garden over to you.”  Although I continued to help harvest and preserve our bounty, I have not planted or tended a garden since.

PLANTING SEEDS

Our Sunday School Class is studying the Parables and we are ready to discuss the Parable of the Sower found in Matthew 13:1-9, 18-23, Mark 4:1-8, 18-20, and Luke 8:4-8, 11-15.  Read this and then ask yourself: 

• Am I a sower of seeds (God’s word)?  Or do I keep the seeds for myself?
• Where do I plant seeds?  Do I only plant seeds with other believers or do I get out of my comfort zone?
• Do I get upset if I sow seeds and they do not sprout (the person does not care)?  Or am I willing to sow seeds and realize they might need tended by someone else to make them grow?

Now go be a sower of God’s Word and have a blessed weekend.

 

As you can see, the date is a bit old.  We decided to see a new area of God’s world and the week seemed to be more of making sure we were on the correct road than thinking about writing a blog.  What to do?  What to do?  Look back, of course.  Picking a past blog on prayer was accidental, but  since the church I attend is a praying church, I thought this was appropriate.

Friday, May 13, 2011

PRAYER - A NEED? A PRIVILEGE? A DUTY?

TODAYS SCRIPTURES:

Seth also had a son, and he named him Enosh. At that time men began to call on the name of the Lord. Genesis 4:26

But Jesus often withdrew to lonely places and prayed. Luke 5:16

PRAYER - A NEED? A PRIVILEGE? A DUTY?

The other day I heard an interesting message on prayer and it got me to thinking: Is prayer a need? Is prayer a privilege? Is prayer a duty?

Do we need to pray? The Bible says God knows what is in our hearts and he knows what we require before we even tell him. So, why pray if it is not essential for God to understand our would likes and our must haves? 

The question, "Do we need to pray?" is answered by no and yes.

Does God need us to pray so he will know what we require? No. Do we need to pray? Yes! We need to know that God is quite clear on what we would like and what we must have! Just kidding! We need to pray so the Spirit himself will intercede when we just do not have the words or the energy to express our true needs. And God, who searches our hearts, knows the mind of the Spirit and they work together in the harmony of God's will. (Based on Romans 8:26-27) Prayer is a need!

Is prayer a privilege? This question can also be answered yes and no. If you consider a privilege something that only a few of the elite are entitled to, then the answer is no. 

But if you consider a privilege something that is a benefit, an opportunity, an honor or a pleasure, then the answer is yes! What other faith is so great as to have their gods near them the way the Lord our God is near us whenever we pray to him? (Based on Deuteronomy 4:7) Prayer is a privilege!

Is prayer a duty? This question has only one answer: YES! Prayer is something we have to do. It is a responsibility. An obligation. Why?

Prayer is a duty because Jesus prayed and we, who with uncovered faces reflect the Lord's glory, are constantly being changed into his likeness. (Based on 2 Corinthians 3:18) It is our duty to live in such a way as we reflect the likeness of Jesus. Jesus prayed. We must pray. Prayer is a duty!

A question for you:  Do you have trouble praying? Trouble finding the right words? Use your own words or find scripture passages that you really like and make them personal. Use I, me and my. But remember, no matter how you say it, God loves to hear you pray. God is listening!!! He will hear you!!!

WHAT LIMITS YOU?

I think I have mentioned that I am part of a monthly discussion group.  After this month’s meeting, I told the ladies, “I think this will end up as a blog.”  They replied, “We want credit.”  Contributing to the discussion were Louise, Maribeth, Patty, Rita and Sarah. 

The discussion began with a simple question:  What stops us or limits us from achieving our goals?  I am going to try and condense a three hour, on topic discussion.  Hey, we are women.  Would you honestly expect a short discussion? 

NEGATIVE COMMENTS:  Yes, an obvious place to begin.  A negative comment can stop us in our tracks.  We instantly begin to doubt our ability, our chance of reaching our goal, or if we have the right to achieve them.  A negative comment is very loud even if whispered in our ear.  You cannot do that.  You will never succeed.  You are not smart enough.  That has already been done.  You are not worth investing my time or money in.

But, can a negative comment have a positive affect?  Have you ever dug your heals in when someone told you, “You can’t do that.  You will fail.”  Has your reply ever been, “I will show them!”  Sometimes a negative comment can be the exact motivation we need. 

POSITIVE COMMENTS:  Positive comments are priceless!  How encouraging to hear the words, “I am so proud of you.  You are working so hard to achieve your goal.”  Four words can change a person’s outlook:  I believe in you.

But, can a positive comment have a negative affect?  Encouragement must be honest.  There are many goals we will never reach, not because we do not want to, but because we do not have the ability.  Someone may constantly say, “You can do this.  Don’t let anything stand in your way.”  Misdirected encouragement may cause a person to chase the wrong goal.

You thought this was going to be a fluff piece didn’t you?  We are a discussion group and, with varied backgrounds, our discussions come from six points of view.  Moving on ….

RESPONSIBILITIES / PRIORITIES:  Our goals may begin to take shape when we are very young, but further education, marriage, having children, and career moves can place our goals on hold or they are replaced with new goals.  Health can deteriorate.  Finances are diverted or not there at all.  Life happens and we have responsibilities and must set priorities.

OLD VALUES / OLD PREJUDICES:  Sadly, old values and old prejudices continue to place limitations on way too many people.  AGE:  We can be too young to be taken seriously because we lack experience or too old and considered obsolete.  Age should no longer be a barrier.  Young minds are minds which have not been placed in a box and can lead us into the future.  Old minds contain wisdom and knowledge that still has value and worth.  Combining ages, instead of separating them, allows growth where goals can receive direction and succeed because of innovation.  SEX:  The glass ceiling has not been broken.  Women are still discriminated against in business and further education.  Men may be promoted because they are not considered the care-giver to their children.  This means women are often held back because they will need time to “be there” when children are ill or have school functions.  Men may be given better educational opportunities so women can fill “traditional roles.”  SKIN COLOR/NATIONALITY:  In 2023, this should not even be an issue and should not be used to limit the goals people want to achieve.  Likewise, these should not be used to gain an advantage over others.  I fear, until the political agenda changes, the use of skin color or nationality will continue to cause division in all areas of education and employment.  This division impacts life and the ability to reach goals.

LISTENING:  The final comment is about listening.  Learn to listen to the right voices.  Listen to the voices that are truthful about your ability to reach your goals.  Find a person to hold you accountable and then listen to their advice.  Listen with an open mind and be willing to adjust your goals.  Mainly, listen to your inner voice:  The Holy Spirit.

As believers, the Holy Spirit is a permanent part of our lives and will guide us in the way we should go.  Listen closely to that voice!!

THE FINAL QUESTION:  What do you allow to stop you from reaching your goals?

 BLESSING OF THE FIELDS

 Our church had a Blessing Of The Fields last Saturday.  There were only a few people there.  Even with the enticement of donuts and coffee, the farmers were in the fields.  Field work is a priority.  As our pastor said, “Where two or more are gathered…”  There were more than two and the program started.

 Earlier in the week, I thought, “I bet they will only say good things about the farmers.”  One thought leads to another and I decided I would be prepared to tell the truth.   Sure enough, only good words were muttered.  A video, So God Made Farmers, was shown and a poem was read. 

 I could stand it no longer.  Before they could say a prayer of blessing, I stood up and said, “I have a few comments.”  Oh the look on their faces was priceless!  And I began:

 FARMERS

I hate to tell you, but they are NOT perfect.

First, I question their basic education.  THEY CANNOT TELL TIME!  Cell phones have increased the problems associated with this lack of education.  How often do you hear a farmer say, “I will be in for supper in 45 minutes?”    Or, “I will be done with this field in ten minutes, could you come help move equipment?”    And the always accurate, “I am only working until 11:00 PM.  I need sleep.”

These statements actually mean:

• ·       I have no idea when I will be there for supper.
• ·     Please come to the field and help us move, but don’t hurry.  Auto Steer has a bit of trouble with point rows and planting corners.
• ·       You don’t need to wait up for me.  Finishing this field might mean 11:00 or 12:00 or 1:00 AM.

 Second, farmers also lack knowledge in giving directions and they cannot count. 

• ·      “Could you bring the pick up to the Smith Farm?”  Where?  “You know on 500 S..no, it is 500 N, just past the tree where the hawk was the other day.”
• ·    Farmers using their hands to give directions takes on a whole new level of confusion.  Exactly what does a circle mean when you are trying to watch and back up a piece of equipment?  Is it their left or mine?  And what does an eye roll and a look at heaven mean?
• ·    “Hey, we could really use some help.  (This part is true.)  Could you pick us up?  Then take us to Chamberlains and then take Jeff back to Rosen’s?”  Now what they failed to tell me was that there were 4 guys and I made 5 – 5 for my 4-seater vehicle.  Everyone knows Christian.  (For those that do not know him.  Christian is almost six feet tall.) Use your imagination.  Christian went to the back of my Acadia, opened the hatch, folded himself inside, and shut the hatch. 

Third, farmers do not keep essential information available for future use.  I did a presentation to the church women and when I asked the women, “What do you hate the most?”  They literally shouted the same answer.  GOING FOR PARTS!  That is where the information for future use comes in.  (Where is the parts manual?  Are you sure this is all the information I need?  Can I take the part with me, which is a silly question because they will be removing the part while you are gone.)  Talk about a room of women getting very animated and each story topping the last.  Every farm mother, sister, wife, or daughter swears they cringe when they hear the word PARTS. 

My worst parts story:  “Can you go get a part?”  Of course.  (You need to know this meant getting two children into the car, along with drinks, snacks, and a toy or two.  Way before cell phones and devices. And no part store is ever close.  Or at least one that has that particular part. ) Do I have all the information?  “Yes.”  Promise?  Remember last time.  “I promise.  It is all written down.”  And I believed him!  I handed the paper to the nice man behind the counter and assured him that slip of paper had every bit of information he would need.  The nice man looked at the paper and, with an absolutely straight face, asked me, “Is this for the right or left side?”

So, do not believe all the good things you hear about farmers.  They have faults – and

• ·   They have a love of the soil and feel the responsibility to preserve a way of life for the next generation
• ·      They have a work ethic that does not run on a schedule
• ·     They know how to get dirty, they are not above picking up rocks, and they know how to gently dry off a new born calf
• ·   They are called dumb farmers and some claim that anyone could be a farmers, but they drive equipment that has a value which includes lot of “0’s”
• ·       They know how to say a cuss word when the hammer misses the nail and they know how to say a prayer of thanksgiving when the rain comes and the harvest season ends with bins full and everyone safe

 Then we prayed a blessing for safety and good crops.

A PARABLE ABOUT THREE DRIVERS

There were three drivers.  The first driver seemed to have trouble deciding how to stay in their lane.  This driver would be over the white line, at the edge of the road, and then would be over the center line.  This continued a long time.

The second driver was driving into the sun and had a towel over the windshield on the passenger’s side.  It is said that a pencil will hide a motorcycle.  This towel would have hidden a semi, a car pulling from a side street, or a child. 

The third driver was in a hurry.  Sixth in a line of traffic, this driver decided to pass on a double yellow line.  Others had to allow the driver to pull back into the correct lane when a car approached.  The driver, apparently no wiser, passed the remaining vehicles.  Shortly, the driver was pulled over by a police officer.

A PARABLE:  AN EARTHLY STORY WITH A HEAVENLY MEANING

Jesus told many parables and, more often than not, no one understood.  Sometimes Jesus explained a parable to the multitude and other times the explanation was only given to the disciples.  Allow me to explain the meaning of my attempt at writing a parable.

The first driver could not make a decision.  After reading about the miracles Jesus performed, they were moved and believed.  But, they also read articles claiming Jesus was just a prophet and not the Son of God.  That is how they lived their faith.  One day they believed and one day they did not. 

Did not the serpent speak to Eve and make her question what God told her?  The serpent said: “Did God really say, ‘You must not eat from any tree in the garden’?”  Eve told God:  “The serpent deceived me, and I ate.”  (Genesis 3: parts of 1 and 13)  The first driver is the believer who cannot make a true stand for their beliefs because they also listen to a voice other than God’s.

The second driver was only interested in what was best for them.  They did not want the sun in their eyes and did not worry that others could suffer because of their actions. 

Did not the priest pass on the other side of the road?  Did not the Levite do the same?  They left the injured man on the side of the road.  (From Luke 10:30-37)  The second driver is the believer who considers their needs a top priority.  They cannot see that their actions/lack of actions can cause others to suffer or die.

The third driver wanted to be someplace fast.  They wanted to bypass anything that would hold them up.

Do we need to suffer?  Does not suffering produce perseverance?  Does not perseverance produce character?  Does not character produce hope?  (Romans 5: parts of verses 3-4)  The third driver is the believer who builds their house (faith) on sand.  (Matthew 7:26-27)  Without withstanding suffering to learn perseverance, build character, and find hope, the believer’s faith will not stand.  The rain and wind (the police officer) will cause their faith to crash.

/\   \/   /\   \/   /\   \/   /\   \/   /\   \/   /\

I attempted writing a parable because the Sunday School class I teach will begin studying the Parables this coming Sunday.  When I passed out the information, I suggested (aka told them) that at some time, during our study, they would write a parable.  I might change my mind on that assignment.  This was harder than I thought.  Jesus wins the Parable Category hands down!

 IT’S FRIDAY

I do not like Good Friday.  I do not want to hear the crowd shout, “Crucify him.”   I do not want to picture Jesus being beaten.  I do not want to watch him carry the cross.  I do not want to hear the hammer strike the nails nor imagine the pain.  I do not want to see Jesus taken down from the cross and placed in a tomb.  

I do not like Good Friday.  Good Friday does not feel so good.  Good Friday hurts my heart.  

Friday is hard!  But Sunday… Sunday is coming and I like Sunday. 

It’s Friday, But Sundays Coming!

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=-0XUo2HcnMw&feature=youtu.be

THE LIST

 

The last two Tuesdays I have taken our pastor to the hospital to have procedures done.  No big deal.  I had those Tuesdays free and I have no problem waiting.   Hospitals don’t bother me.  I can handle the smells and ….  Let’s just say, I have sat through operations for our daughter and grandkids.  I knew I would get along just fine.

 

When I picked up Pastor Larry the first time, he did something that surprised me.  When he got in the car and we were ready to go, he handed me a list.  Then he said, “If I don’t make it, start at the top and make these four calls.”  What….  Don’t make it….  Call these people.  I realized the easy part of that day was driving and waiting.  The list in my pocket was very heavy.  Heavy with responsibility.

 

I am an organized person and when I was in the hospital with our daughter, I had her list of medications, previous surgeries, how she responds to anesthesia, and a list of phone numbers.  I was prepared.  When the surgeries were for grandkids, I was support and their mother had all those lists.

 

THE LIST

 

The list Pastor Larry handed me made me think about lists and documents we all need.  We need to be prepared.  Our loved ones need to be prepared.  How do we do that?  What do we need?

 

NOTE:  The everyone and we means exactly that.  These items are a must for each of us and are not age related.  They are not only for old people.  Also, make sure these documents are where they can be found and that the people involved have copies.  If you travel, be sure to have your medical directive and healthcare power of attorney with you. 

 

WILL:  Everyone needs a will.  EVERYONE.  You might think you don’t have enough money or property to need a will.  A question for all parents of young children:  Do you know where your children will be placed if both parents die?  You might think they will go to your parents or a sibling or your best friend has agreed to welcome them into their home.  That does not always happen.  You need this in a will.  A will also makes it possible to give a certain item to a certain person and directs where all the stuff you have accumulated will go.

 

MEDICAL DIRECTIVE AND HEALTHCARE POWER OF ATTORNEY:  (Check to see if these can be combined.)  Please know I am not trying to be morbid, but you MUST have a medical directive.  This will make sure your wishes on end of life decisions are written out.  You need to name people who can make decisions when/if you are unable to make them.  You need to make it easier if/when hard decisions need to be made.

 

POWER OF ATTORNEY:  “But I don’t want to give someone the power to use my money!  They could take all my money or sell my home.”  This is often what people say or think.  Like it or not, someone needs to be able to take care of your day to day business when you are not able.  Someone needs to be able to pay your bills.  This person is usually your spouse, a parent, a child, or a sibling.  If there is no family member to assume this responsibility, it can be a very good friend or an attorney. 

 

DOCUMENTS:  Where is mom’s birth certificate?  Where is dad’s social security card?  Did my friend have funeral arrangements made?  Where do I start?  Being an administrator, guardian or the person who finds themselves with a big responsibility needs to know where to find your documents.  Bottom line:  Someone needs to know where to find your legal documents. 

 

https://www.fdic.gov/news/events/affordable/hcachecklist.pdf is a good link for documents that might be needed.

 

DISCLAIMER: This is NOT legal advice but these are things EVERYONE needs to do and in no way is this a complete list.

 

THE END

 I kept thinking all week of what to write a blog on.  Pastor Larry was sure I could find a blog out of driving him to the hospital for a procedure.  I thought about that and imagined starting it with him snoring loudly in recovery.  News Flash:  He did not snore once!  I was drawing a blank and decided to look back and rediscovered this blog from March 31, 2017.

COMING SOON -- EASTER

What an exciting time:  EASTER!! 

The baby grew up!  Mary’s little boy is no longer little and it is time for him to complete his journey on earth.  Can you imagine making sure every teeny-tiny detail leading up to Passover, the Crucifixion and the Resurrection was in place?  The entrance into the city meant the colt had to be in one exact location and someone had to have all those palm branches ready to hand out.  The room for the Passover could not have been reserved through TripAdvisor.  Judas.  The soldiers.  The cock had to be ready to crow on cue.  Details.  Details.

We know so much and we know so little.  Easter is a time of great sorrow and great joy.  It is a time completely told beforehand but not understood by those closest to Jesus.  Easter draws upon emotions from complete and utter despair to hope.

Yes.  What an exciting time:  EASTER!!  But there has always been something I could not figure out.  WHY DID THE DISCIPLES NOT GET IT?

How could they not understand?  My goodness, Jesus told them.  They heard it with their own ears.  They spent hours, months, and years walking beside him.  Listening to him.  Learning from him.  They saw him heal.  They healed through his name.  They ate with him.  They prayed with him.  They were his disciples.  He chose them.

How could they not understand?  How could Judas betray him?  How could Peter deny him?  How could…  How could…

I will tell you that I would have understood!  I would not have betrayed Jesus!  I would not have hidden and lied about knowing him!

“Mary.”

“Yes, God.  Am I in trouble again?”

“No.  OK.  Just a bit.”  (He chuckled when he said that so I knew the 2X4 was coming out.  You know.  The one he uses to get my attention.)

“Mary, do you understand all of My Word?  You know:  the Bible.  Do you understand it completely?  Every word?  Every syllable?”

“No, but…”

“There is no ‘but’ here.  Your answer is no.  And that is okay.  You are learning.  You are, after many years, beginning to put it all together.  You are digging deep.  But, face it child, you have it right there in front of you to go over again and again and again.  Did the disciples have that?”

“No, but…”

“There is no ‘but’ here.  They did not!  You were going to say, ‘but they had Jesus himself.’ weren’t you?  They did and they learned so much.  They were good disciples.  I love every one of them.”

“How could they not understand?  How could Peter deny Jesus?”

“They were afraid.  How would you feel if all of a sudden the Trinity was taken away from you?  You have the Bible.  What if you no longer had that?  What if you could no longer feel the Holy Spirit in you?  What if you could not have the forgiveness of the Cross?  What if you could not pray?  What..”

“I would be afraid.  I would feel lost.  I would feel abandoned.  I would not understand.  I would hide.”

“My child, the disciples did learn and they wrote it down for you.  They wrote it down so you would know the truth.  So you would have hope.  So you would have faith.  Eternal life.  The disciples did understand.  They spread the Gospel from one believer to another to another to another.  Do you understand now?”

“Beginning to.  The disciples were chosen by Jesus but they were also human.  They had their support – Jesus – taken from them and they were afraid.  I guess the answer to my question is they did know.”

“Shall I put the 2 X 4 down for now?”

“Yes, please.  But keep it handy.  I am sure you will be getting it out again shortly.”

Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.  Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you.  And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”

Matthew 28:18-20

Can you imagine making sure every teeny-tiny detail leading up to Passover, the Crucifixion and the Resurrection was in place?  Every detail – even how the disciples reacted so they could “therefore go.”

 

 THE LIGHT AT THE END OF THE TUNNEL

A number of years ago, the church we attended had three services.  An upcoming event meant I needed to make an announcement at each service.  I was headed to first service, listening to the radio, and going over what I was to say.  Normal drive.  Not much traffic.  About 8:10 AM.  Then the news came on and they reported on a truck driver in California. 

A truck driver?  My dad had been a truck driver before he died so, anytime news involved a truck driver, I listened. 

The news began with saying there had been an accident in a tunnel.  One of the vehicles was a semi.  The driver did not survive and I said a prayer for his family.

“You have to tell.” I couldn’t shake those words.  “You have to tell.  Someone needs to hear this.” Tell who? Really, tell what? Tell about the accident.  All I knew was that a man died.  Someone I didn’t know… “You have to tell.” Tell who? Tell when? “You have to tell.” Those words would not go away.

First service: Nothing.  Sunday School: Nothing.  Second Service: This is the service we attend and Bill asked me, “Are you alright? You seem a bit on edge.” I told him yes and I would explain later.  But still, nothing.  Third Service: This was a modified service.  Only the basics for the 20 or so that were not early risers and those that had small children who found the timing better.  The service was about over, the minister was ready to say the closing prayer, and I knew it was time. 

Of course, the minister got that deer in the headlight look when I stood up and said I had something to say.  I started by saying, “I do not know why I am to tell this and I do not know who needs to hear this, but I want to tell you about a trucker and a tunnel.” I told them about a trucker, just doing his job, entering a tunnel and never coming out. 

We hear about the light at the end of the tunnel, but, on this day, for this trucker, there was no light at the end of the tunnel.  And I wondered if he was a believer.  I told them that if he was not, he was lost.  I told them that if they were not believers, now was the time before it was too late.  And I sat down.  The pastor prayed.  I left.

On that morning, finally during third service, my job was to tell and that is what I did.  So I left.  Did anyone stay and talk with the minister? When I walked out the door, I did not know.  I had done my part.  I told.  I talked with the minister a few days later and he said someone had stayed until everyone was gone.  (Notice until everyone left.)  One person was to hear about the trucker and that one person heard.

We do not know who needs to hear or what they need to hear.  Although it is all the same story, one person might be saved because they hear why Jesus lived and one person might be saved because they hear why Jesus died.  We need to tell so the light at the end of the tunnel is there for everyone.

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Since this is the Easter season, I felt I should tie this in some way.  The obvious choices are

• Jesus is the light
• Jesus is the savior
• Jesus died for our sins

BUT — don’t ya love it when I put in a BUT — the tie to Easter comes after the tomb was empty.

“Then the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go.  When they saw him, they worshiped him; but some doubted.  Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.  Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you.  And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.””

   Matthew 28:16-20 NIV

There it is! The tie in!

GO AND MAKE DISCIPLES — in plain English:   GO AND TELL!