Monday, June 10, 2024
(click here to listen to or read today’s scriptures)
Back from Mexico
After an hour-long walk and a slew of Mexican mis-adventures, Jack and Aly’s parents, our son and daughter-in-law, laughing and rolling their eyes at the occasional scam caught in the act by a credit card company that was watching from afar, made it to their seats on the plane and headed across the ocean, skirting Cuba, home.
A few hours after this, they walked in the door, ready to tell their story. And we loved it. How could we not? God’s protection covered them throughout. Creativity, compassion and acceptance are at the pinnacle of Maslow’s hierarchy, important pieces of “self-actualization.” Chris and Melissa laughed as they told their story. Their creativity, compassion and acceptance, rising and shining at every turn, brought us joy. We en-joyed them and their tale.
What else could we ask for?
Ravens brought him bread and meat in the morning,
and bread and meat in the evening,
and Elijah drank from the stream.
Well, there is that. Or would be if we were with Elijah. He had just come from God’s press conference with only his Main Man Prophet, where Yahweh pronounced a serious drought on the land which would turn out to last three years. We on the other hand have had a rainstorm, then bright cool sunny skies, then another rain, and today the forecast is once again for sun. I think the corn, the soybeans, and the farmers are all, collectively and individually, basking in their good fortune.
As is true for Chris and Melissa, so is true for all of us, we do not expect the future to mirror the present or the past. We just don’t know. What we do know is how close God is, and how nothing can capture us or tear us away from the arms of God.
In all these things we are more than conquerors. Because of him who loved us, neither death nor life, angels nor demons, present nor future, no powers whatsoever, neither height nor depth, nor …
ANYTHING ELSE IN ALL CREATION is able or will be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Paul, at the end of his life, certain of this and sending us out onto the court, or the Mexican highway, or the uncertain potholed road of relationship, or, well, sending us anywhere with no fear, no hesitation, no knowledge about anything except what matters, that certain knowledge about God’s love. We are kept, held, preserved, and renewed. Resurrected in our spirit, and sent into heaven on wings of fire and a four-stage 387 foot tall rocket of love.
Jesus also, assured of God’s ultimate intention, speaks to us of pain and peace:
Blessed are the poor in spirit,
for theirs is the Kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are they who mourn,
for they will be comforted.
Blessed are the meek,
for they will inherit the land.
Blessed are they who hunger and thirst for righteousness,
for they will be satisfied.
Blessed are the merciful,
for they will be shown mercy.
Blessed are the clean of heart,
for they will see God.
Blessed are the peacemakers,
for they will be called children of God.
Blessed are they who are persecuted for the sake of righteousness,
for theirs is the Kingdom of heaven.
(1 Kings 17, Psalm 121, Matthew 5)
(posted at www.davesandel.net)
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