Month: April 2018

Waiting and Grace

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Recently I found myself waiting and waiting. It seemed there was nothing I could do until I heard from someone else on what to do next. And so I waited. I fixed myself a cup of tea. I put a load of laundry in the washer. I searched my blog for how many times I had written about waiting. And then, I waited some more.

For most of us, much of what we do in our work and personal lives depends on others, and other people depend on us. As I sat waiting I was wondering who out there might be waiting for me to complete something so they could move on to another task. The more I thought about that the more I realized that this was changing from thoughts on waiting to thoughts on grace. As I kept thinking and typing, I could feel myself becoming less frustrated. There are times I had dropped the ball and forgotten to follow up with someone. Most likely more times than I am even aware of because some people are too kind to tell me when I mess up. I do not know why writing this out has changed my attitude and yet it has. So my prayer for you today is that when you are tired of waiting and feeling frustration you will pray for the person and offer them grace because we all make mistakes and we all need grace.

God of Grace and Goodness, It is so hard to wait for someone else. I have so much to do that I can’t get started on yet because I am waiting. And yet, I wonder how many times I have made others wait for me. Grant me your peace as I offer some grace and a little more of my time. Send your peaceful presence into my thoughts and heart, so I may share your peace with others. And help others to grant me grace when I am the reason for their frustration. Help us to see how our lives are connected, Loving God. Amen.

Seeing Psalm 23 with New Eyes

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Seeing Psalm 23 with New Eyes
When we hear something familiar, sometimes we stop listening. We think I’ve heard this before and I know it. In church we might think, I don’t need to listen because I grew up with this text. I understand. Our sacred texts were not meant to be read once or twice and ignored forevermore. Instead we were meant to immerse ourselves in these words and see what new meaning comes to us. We need to listen with our ears, our minds, and our hearts to hear and learn how God is revealing God’s own self to us in this place and time.
When I first thought about this way of looking at the Scripture, I thought it would be good for a kid’s time (children’s sermon) during worship. As I reflected on it more, I thought youth and adults need to have fun with Scriptures too. This could be applied to youth group, any age Sunday School class, a Bible Study group, in your own personal devotion time or even in place of the sermon one Sunday. So many options exist.
My idea is simple with so many ways to change it up to fit your circumstances. The simplest application is giving everyone a sheet of white paper and some crayons. Encourage them to listen while you read the Scripture (in this case, Psalm 23) and then use the paper to capture their illustration. You might read it a few times. You could read it a verse at a time and encourage everyone to keep adding to the illustration.
Of course, you could do this with play dough or pipe cleaners or fabric scraps or magazines and scissors or out in nature with leaves and sticks or with trash you collect while walking outside. The whole point of this idea is to take something that seems so familiar and help ourselves to see it with new eyes.
Make yourself new to us in old, familiar words. Open us to seeing you in new ways. Give us the courage to be creative and listen to our hearts. Lead us where you want us to go and at the end of the day bring us to a place of rest beside green pastures and still waters. Amen.

Benediction on Luke 24: 36-49

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Benediction on Luke 24: 36-49
 
Just like the disciples we are seeking Jesus. We want to have our minds opened so that we might understand the Scriptures. We want to sit and eat with Jesus. We want to hear Jesus say, “Peace be with you.” And that is why we come to this place each week-to learn, to grow, to be in community, and to seek peace. As we go out in God’s amazing world this week, open our minds to what others are teaching us, sit and eat with people we love and people we do not know, be filled with peace and share that peace with those we meet. Go now in peace. Amen. 

Italian Grey

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Italian Grey at The Cafe at Thistle Farms
When I began planning a trip to Nashville, a stop at The Cafe at Thistle Farms was high on my to do list. A cup of tea that supports a good cause is one of my favorite things. My experience lived up to my high expectations. The woman who took my order and fixed my tea made an excellent suggestion. I enjoyed the Italian Grey which they describe as brisk, rosewood, tangerine marmalade.
  
My tea arrived on a tray with milk and sugar cubes. I was also informed I could request a second steeping with my tea leaves all for only $3.50!
My pot of tea was more than enough for three cups, so I had one plain, one with a cube of sugar, and one with milk. And each one was delicious. My favorite was plain as this is how I most often drink a good cup of tea.
I highly recommend a stop at this shop for a good cup of tea for a good cause.