Manna Mania?

Snatching the handle from the holder, I quickly unscrewed the cap. Whew! I squeezed tightly and waited. Clunk, click, silence. The manager stepped outside and shouted, “Sorry, we’re all out of gas.”

Argh!

Have you rearranged your entire schedule to join the local scavenger hunt? I couldn’t believe that they rationed gas by the dollar here in Conyers. I wasn’t sure that we would have enough to last through the week.

I Googled gas price websites and searched local stations as I watched my gauge move steadily toward “E” all week. Our nine year old, usually oblivious to gas station lines, became aware of how this present situation could affect him and our after school activities. Suddenly, he was very interested in this present gas shortage.

When he asked me if there had ever been another problem with fuel, I happily started recanting my memories of gas rationing in the 70s. Just when I thought that he had completely lost interest in my thrilling tale from the olden days, he piped up.

“Hey, isn’t that like the manna story from the bible?”

We talked about the Old Testament books of Exodus and Numbers, when God sent manna from Heaven. The miracle came with a difficult challenge: the Israelites would have to trust God for their needs, one day at a time.

Then, the questions came, “Wait, all these people escaped, followed Moses across the Red Sea and traveled through the desert? And they grumbled? Wow, and then God sent what down from the sky? They could only get enough for a day at a time? Couldn’t they store any? What happened if they took too much? Hey, that’s kind of like gas right now.”

He’s right. We have taken the luxury of our supply for granted. Now, the shortage is bringing out the worst in some folks. There are stories about people behaving like children while they cut in line and yell at each other. Some people are making sure to fill up each day, as they fear that they will run out. Station owners say that panic is further aggravating the problem.

When Jesus began his ministry, he told us that he would supply all of our needs. He came to give us something that would last much longer than food or fuel.

Jesus declared, “I am the bread of life. He who comes to me will never go hungry, and he who believes in me will never be thirsty.” (John 6:35 NIV)
What if we would seek the real food, God’s love? We could have the everlasting bread, Jesus. Where would the crowds be if instead of a gas crisis, it was a faith crisis? What if people wanted to make sure that they had enough private prayer with God, and time with friends in a faithful community? Would we cram the church parking lots and grab a front row seat so that we could be spiritually fed?

Prayer Starter: Lord, if only I would seek you as earnestly and desperately as I look for working gas pumps. If only I could demonstrate gratefulness for your presence in my life. As I drive this week, please help me remember that as I ask for help with daily details, you give me all that I will ever need.

Dear Lord, do I have to forgive them, too?

“Forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors.” (Matt 6: 12  )

I remember exactly where I was. I was in a kindergarten teacher meeting when the school secretary burst in.

We raced to the TV in the conference room. I trembled as I watched the events before my eyes. “Oh, my God,” I whispered. “Oh, Lord God, what is happening?”

Yesterday was Patriot’s Day, the seventh anniversary of 9/11. It has been so difficult for so many. Everyone seems to know someone affected. There has been so much loss. Families lost loved ones. Scores of friends were never seen again. Countless rescue workers gave their lives. As a country, we mourned our innocence and security. Rage toward a faceless enemy gave many of us nightmares, headaches, illnesses, and depression, Jobs were lost, relationships were strained and some people never returned to “normal.” People pointed fingers. Everything and everyone was questioned.

Tears still run when I see images from that awful day.. Fear, shock and helplessness are still felt today. Across the world, there were many who couldn’t shield themselves from the effects when they turned off their TV. When search and rescue teams came, a new wave of sadness rushed in. I kept checking the major networks and newspapers, certain that that hundreds were safe.

Those closer to the loss waited in long lines and searched websites for any word that their loved ones were alright. When they didn’t hear, they mourned all over again.
We clung to each other and prayed. When the first airplane flew near our playground, I felt nauseated until it passed by.

Now, I could easily list all of the wonderful things that came from this day. Many people came together and renewed their faith in God. Flags were flown, and stars and stripes appeared everywhere. We wore everything patriotic that we could. Songs played, flags covered sports arenas and media reporters fed us daily updates about wonderful people showing kindnesses.

But, the pain is still deep. I keep feeling the sense that I need to really focus on the forgiveness aspect of the Lord’s Prayer. I learned to say this part, “forgive us our trepasses as we forgive those who trespass against us.” Lord, the people who are responsible definitely trespassed. How in the world can I forgive them? These bad guys are still out there. I have not seen any CNN reports that have announced anyone confessing. I’m not ready to think about forgiveness . It’s just too hard.
A

nd then, an idea comes to mind: I will forgiven by the same measure that I have forgiven others. In the Lord’s prayer Jesus did not say, “forgive them if they agree to turn themselves in. “

So, this is what I will try. I will ask God to help me forgive those involved in any of the attacks. This is how we reconcile in kindergarten.. Here’s a typical conversation between two of my students: “Abby, I’m sorry that I broke your crayons,” says Maria. “It’s okay, Abby, I forgive you. But, don’t do it again.”
I can’t expect the “bad guys” to leave us in peace. But in my prayer. I can start trying to forgive them. It is a hard thing to do. But, if I want to be like Jesus, I have to start somewhere.

Dear Lord,
You know my heart. You know the pain, fear and rage, confusion inside so many of us. Please help us learn how to forgive. Continue to draw us closer to you. Amen.

Knock, Knock

Did you ever play the game “knock knock”? One person says “knock, knock.” The other says, “Who’s there”? In our own lives, Jesus knocks and waits for our response.

In Revelation 3:20, John says that the Son of God tells us, “Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him, and he with me.”

In my life, God has made Himself known through incredible circumstances and opportunities. Do you want to have a more intimate relationship with Jesus? Do you want to know that He hears you and answers your prayers when you knock?

Check out my friends’ newly released book, Six Prayers God Always Answers. Jennifer Schuchmann and Mark Herringshaw reveal very simple ways to realize God’s constant presence. Click on the book for more information.

Face to Face

There’s something to be said for sitting face to face when you are in a conversation. I remember doing this automatically when my husband and I were dating.  Then, when our son was born, we couldn’t take our eyes off of him. Giving your complete attention to someone says more than any Hallmark music card. 

I don’t think that I do this nearly enough.  Certainly, I could use more “face time” with my own family.

Can you even imagine when we see God face to face? 

Overbooked?

I did it again. I overbooked myself and there’s no way out. Yuck!

Early this Spring, I started signing up for all kinds of projects. Once again, I  began saying “yes” to all kinds of exciting projects.  “Sure I will,” I’d respond.  “That would be so much fun,” I said as I registered.  “I wouldn’t miss it for the world.”  Our family calendar looks a little like one of those football playbooks. The boxes are crammed with  arrows and numbers.  Arrows are written to indicate rescheduled events. Post-it notes surround the crowded little boxes like a frame. 

Somehow I buried myself in a vacation filled with deadlines. Dr. Phil would probably ask right now, “How’s that working for ya?”

Not so great. It’s vacation and I’m still watching the clock, grabbing the phone on the first ring and carrying a calendar.  My desk is strewn with vacation bible school materials, drafts for the weekly newspaper columns, jeans which need to go to the tailor’s, my son’s Six Flag’s Ticket and the manual for the refrigerator that arrived today. 

Maybe I need to observe our nine year old for awhile.  He’s in his room, watching “Drake and Josh” and eating the rest of the sourcream potato chips from lunch. His dog is curled up beside him, resting comfortably.  Not a worry. Not a care. Life is lived in the present. When he’s tired, he sleeps. When he’s hungry, he eats. 

Hmmm.

Maybe he’s on to something. 

I’m painfully reminded of the story of Martha and Mary.  In Luke 10: 38-42, Jesus’ visit is told.  Martha is so busy that scripture says “She was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made.”  When she went to Jesus to complain (How often do I do this?), Jesus told her, “Only one thing is needed. Mary has chosen what is better and it will not be taken away from her.”  (NIV)

So, do I just stop running errands and taking care of chores? No, but do I overbook myself and others so that there is no time to enjoy life, rest, reflect and do I dare say, get bored?

What if I just tried to empty my calendar a little bit this week?  What if I started carving out unscheduled time? And maybe, just maybe, I could learn to take life one thing at a time.

What about you?  How do you balance it all?  What do you do when you are overbooked?

No place like home

Did you ever watch the movie, “The Wizard of Oz” Listed as one of my all time favorites, it came to my mind this morning. I found myself whispering Dorothy’s classic line, “There’s no place like home” (more…)