Wednesday, January 13, 2021           (today’s lectionary)
One thing after another
Driving from Austin to Urbana, many things have to go right before I get from Texas to Illinois. Our Prius has to keep running for 1028 miles and 15 hours. The cars around me, sometimes driving into the blinding sun just like I am, or zipping along a concrete barricade inches away just like I am, have to stay in their own lanes. The semi drivers need to be diligent in checking the blind spot on the right side of their trucks.
I marvel at the miracles that make driving work, day after day. There are so few accidents. So many people do not get hurt. For this, and for several other joyful moments, I am profoundly grateful.
The Lord remembers his covenant forever.
I, on the other hand, can’t remember where my credit card is, but then I pray and find it. We expect delivery of a small upright freezer that is pretty heavy for Margaret to bring into our apartment alone, and it arrives just as I am leaving for the trip to Urbana, two days early. I tear up the innards of our toilet trying to install a bidet, and our maintenance guy Charles shows up outside our apartment just when I am about to give up. He takes one look, goes to get a few tools and has my destruction repaired in ten minutes.
Last night when I got to our home, the electricity was all messed up. Lights were dim and then too bright. Mostly it was cold, because the furnace was barely working. My friend called his electrician friend, who told us to call Ameren, which we did. The first time we met a barrage of automation, the second time we found a real person immediately. She put in a work order and the repair guy was here in 30 minutes. He immediately found the problem and fixed it. In the dark, in the cold, by himself.
He told me he’s responsible for Champaign-Urbana-St. Joseph-Philo-Sidney from 2 to 10, and he’s the only one working. How did he get here in 30 minutes? He was just checking his calls as he was driving by our house. So I need to say it again …
The Lord remembers his covenant forever.
Marc and Myranda and I sat outside in an “igloo,” eating Greek salad and sliders and loaded baked potato soup. We thought we’d have to cancel because of the electric problem, but we had time after all. God is so good.
Rising very early before dawn, Jesus left and went off to a deserted place, where he prayed.
Jesus never stopped turning to Abba Father for everything. I am learning slowly to never stop turning to Abba Father. In my anxiety, caught up in false catastrophe, I remember sooner now. Turn to God, trust God, let God love me. Ask him for what I need.
Simon’s mother-in-law lay sick with a fever. They immediately told him about her. He approached, grasped her hand and helped her up. Then the fever left her.
(Hebrews 2, Psalm 105, John 10, Mark 1)
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