Thursday, March 28, 2024

The Perplexing Last Supper


It was just before the Passover Festival. Jesus knew that the hour had come for him to leave this world and go to the Father. Having loved his own who were in the world, he loved them to the end.

John 13:1 (NIV)

John and I walked through throngs of people searching for a man carrying a jug of water. Several women with water jugs passed by since they normally get water for their families.  Finally, we spotted him and followed at a distance. 

            When he stopped and put the water container down, I stepped up and said, “The Teacher and his disciples will observe the Passover meal at your house.”

            With no argument, he nodded and led us to an upper room where we prepared for the Passover meal.  John and I looked forward to a quiet meal with Jesus and the other disciples. 

            That didn’t happen. Jesus’ announcements that night startled and perplexed us from the beginning. 

            We began eating the special meal like we did each year. Instead of just reciting the rituals for the meal, Jesus blessed and broke the bread. As we took it, he said, “Take eat. This is my body given for you. Do this in remembrance of me.”  

            Before I could ask what he meant, Jesus took a cup of wine and gave thanks for it. “This is my blood of the new covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins. I tell you I will not drink again of this fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father’s kingdom.”

            Confused faces filled the silent room. Of course, we heard all kinds of parables at he taught but this seemed different. Bread and body. Wine and blood. New covenant. We had the Old Testament covenant. Wasn’t that good enough? 

            Just as I began to ask questions, Jesus stood, took off his outer garment and wrapped a towel around his waist. Another surprise??

            We had enough to figure out and then he stopped in front of me with a basin of water. No slaves had come to clean my grubby feet. Why would Jesus stoop to that humiliating task? 

            “Are you going to wash my feet?”

            Jesus nodded with a smile. 

            “No. Never!” I exclaimed. 

            “Unless I wash you, you have no part with me.”

            I certainly didn’t want to miss out. “Then, Lord, not just my feet but my hands and my head as well.”

            The Master moved around the room cleansing grime off filthy feet. No one else protested as all eyes marveled at his humility.

            However intense sorrow covered his face as he lovingly washed the unclean feet of Judas. There was no condemnation even though the two of them knew the conspirator would turn his Teacher over to the religious authorities that night. 

            When he finished washing our feet, he put on his clothes and returned to his place. For years we had watched him heal, preach, and love so why was he showing us how to wash feet during a meal? We listened intently for a lesson that we knew would come.

            “I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet so you also should wash one another’s feet. I have given you an example that you should do what I did for you. I give you a new command. Love each other as I have loved you.”

            After just telling us to love others, his next words contradicted the new command. “One of you is going to betray me,” he said.  

How could that be? We had spent three years listening, learning  and loving him. Murmurings sounded around the room. 

            “Is it me?” 

            Others echoed my question. The Lord only said, “The one who dipped his hand in the dish with me will betray me.”

            We often dipped bread in a common dish at our meals so I had no idea who the traitor was. Judas took off about that time when Jesus said, “Go quickly and do what you have to do.”

            Since Judas took care of our finances, we believed he was taking care of a money matter. 

            A troubled mood settled over the room. Jesus looked sadly at each of us. “You will all fall away. But after I am risen, I will go ahead of you to Galilee.”

            “Maybe the others will leave but I never will,” I told him proudly. 

            “Peter, tonight before the cock crows you will deny me three times.”

            How could Jesus say those things about me? “Even if I have to die or go to prison, I won’t disown you.”

            I was confident my faith was strong and I would never deny my Teacher. But Jesus knew and loved me anyway. 

Father, even as Jesus faced a horrific death, he taught and loved those who would betray and deny him. Help us follow his command to love as he has loved us. Amen

Thursday, March 21, 2024

Grief at the Grocery


“Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Enter, you who are blessed by my Father! Take what’s coming to you in this kingdom. It’s been ready for you since the world’s foundation. And here’s why: I was hungry and you fed me,
I was thirsty and you gave me a drink,
I was homeless and you gave me a room,
I was shivering and you gave me clothes,
I was sick and you stopped to visit,
I was in prison and you came to me.’

“Then those ‘sheep’ are going to say, ‘Master, what are you talking about? When did we ever see you hungry and feed you, thirsty and give you a drink? And when did we ever see you sick or in prison and come to you?’ Then the King will say, ‘I’m telling the solemn truth: Whenever you did one of these things to someone overlooked or ignored, that was me—you did it

Matthew 25:35-40 (NIV)

 

Groceries filled one bag after another as the customer placed her items into the cart. No one spoke as she and the clerk worked together to finish her shopping trip. She was out of breath as she moved in front of me to pay. 

            “Are you ok?” I asked the obviously stressed lady. 

            “No. My friend just died. Her family came and there is no food for them. I just wanted to do something.”

            My heart broke. Every time I hear of someone losing a loved one, my heart hurts. 

            Another employee pushed the cart to her car. The clerk and I expressed our sadness at the news. 

            When my granddaughter, Molly, joined me, I explained about the lady and said, “I have to give her one of my grief books.”

            I reached into my car and pulled out the bag of books. Only my book Hope in Isolation remained. But I knew the lady needed my book, Ambushed by Glory in My Grief. Molly said that I should give her the Isolation one. 

            I looked across the parking lot but the lady had disappeared. How could she have left so quickly? I searched the parking lot and was ready to give up. 

            Unexpectedly, she appeared from behind her car. I hurried to catch her before she drove away.  However, she turned and headed back into the store. Molly and I dashed to catch her. When we moved through the door, there was no evidence of the elusive woman. 

            I decided we would have to branch out and search the store and hope we didn’t lose her again. Then I looked up and there she stood down a nearby aisle.  I moved as quickly as I could without running through the store. 

            I didn’t want to startle her so I slowed down. “I just saw you in line. I am sorry about your friend. I wrote a book on grief and wanted you to have it.”

            “What is its name?” She pulled out a pen. I showed her a picture of Ambushed by Glory in My Grief.

            “I want to give you this other book I wrote since I don’t have the one on grief.” 

            Tears came. Two strangers hugged surrounded by rows of salad dressings. Molly stood nearby and watched. 

            “Thank you.”

            “I will be praying for you.” 

            “Isn’t it amazing how God works?” I said to Molly as we left the store. 

            She gave me a high five as we both felt the joy of helping a grieving lady.  

            Molly reminded me of the series of events. “If we hadn’t eaten so many strawberries, we wouldn’t have come to buy more. We went to a different store. We didn’t go to the express lane because I didn’t want to walk that far.”

            Then I added. “I don’t always talk to customers but she looked distressed.”

            We pondered the ways God used circumstances for us to minister to the grieving lady. 

            Since that day, we returned to the same store and hoped we would see her. We didn’t but the beautiful memory remains. 

She needed kindness in her pain and the Holy Spirit led us to be like Jesus. 

Loving Father, thank you for arranging our encounter by nudging us to help a stranger. Help us listen and with our actions to be more like Jesus.

Amen

Saturday, March 2, 2024

A Spot of Color in the Gloom


Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all, especially to those who are of the household of faith.

Galatians 6:10

 

An ashen blanket hovered over the lake which blotted out the sunrise as light eased into the darkness. Somber trees cast their reflections onto the lake like a giant mirror. 

            Naked cypress trees waited to be dressed by shoots of green. Winter’s brown grass bordered the shoreline. Even still green plants dimmed under slate clouds.  Brown and gray birds flew among the trees and rustled leaves. 

            A chorus of bird melodies filled the air from one end of the lake to the other. But a lone sandhill crane’s harsh bellowing interrupted their happy songs. 

            Nothing about my view projected joy or excitement but a sense of peace and calmness engulfed me. 

            A spot of color caught my attention. An azalea’s pink blooms broke the dreariness and made me smile. Despite its dismal surroundings, the flower flourished and produced a blessing. 

            Even when our days bring discouragement and trials, we can find touches of hope and joy. 

            We can also be that special light in someone else’s darkness. An act of love and kindness doesn’t have to be major to be significant. 

            Look for something around you today which lifts you up. Do something for someone else today that is unexpected. 

Lord, give us courage and wisdom to make a difference in the lives of those around us. Also, guide us to notice the blessings around us each day.

Amen

Saturday, February 17, 2024

An Abundance of Weeds


I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.

John 16:33 (NIV)

Warmer weather took me out to my weed infested yard. Why do weeks flourish when desirable plants don’t?

            Bags filled as I pruned off dead branches, picked up fallen twigs and yanked stubborn invaders.  The front, back and one side were done first since I see those areas the most. 

            A few days later I decided to tackle the remaining side which I rarely see. With a burst of energy, I pulled on a pair of gloves and pushed my wheelbarrow filled with garbage bags, a selection of shovels and a bucket to the far side of my home.  A carpet of green covered the mulch all along the house.

            I plopped down on the ground and began tugging the unwelcome greenery and placing it into a bucket. Over and over, I dumped the pail’s contents into a black garbage bag. A few fan-shaped plants came up easily. Only a shovel could extract lengthy roots deep in the ground of other aliens. 

            Sweat dripped as I moved inch by inch down the wall. Spiky pineapple blades scratched my arms when I yanked on weeds growing under them. Ten pineapple plants shared a space with innumerable, flourishing pests. 

            When my eyes looked to the remaining leafy trespassers, I wanted to throw my gloves in the wheelbarrow and escape. My back ached, my parched throat longer for water, and dirt clung to my clothes.

            An argument went on in my head. One side said to stop. The other one pleaded to finish. 

            As the squabble continued, I glanced at the portion I had finished. A sense of accomplishment filled me. Compared to what I had done, only a small section remained. 

            A handful of weeds dropped into my container. Since I was already dirty, what was a few more minutes?

            The argument wasn’t completely over. However, the view of my weedless garden inspired me to finish the job. 

In life challenges and obstacles seem crushing. Quitting appears to be the only answer. 

But when we look back at what we have overcome, the future can be less ominous. Encouragement overtakes despair.

When I pray for peace, strength and wisdom, God leads the way. A Bible verse comes to mind. A call or visit brings hope. A sermon teaches. A song calms. 

When my next disappointment or difficulty comes, I need to remember the mass of weeds that I attacked and completed. 

On earth we will face troubles but we have a Helper to get us through. 

Lord, give us peace and strength to face struggles. Help us remember how you have gotten us through tough times in the past.

Amen 

Monday, February 5, 2024

The Disappearing Egret


Test me, Lord, and try me, examine my heart and my mind; for I have always been mindful of your unfailing love and have lived in reliance on your faithfulness.

Psalm 26:2-3 (NIV)

From my kitchen, I glanced toward the lake. In the cool but sunny morning, the long neck of a great white egret rose above the shoreline. The bank concealed his body. 

            His elongated neck stretched far ahead and bit by bit his torso caught up. The majestic creature stood like a statue as his eyes scanned the dark water for a tasty breakfast. Cautiously the slender neck lowered behind a mound of plants at the lake’s edge. 

            His presence and movements begged to be written down so I spent a few minutes writing in my journal. When I looked up, he remained hidden behind the partially dead foliage. 

            My eyes looked right and left. No sign of the stately bird. Time passed. I stood up and stared toward the lake in all directions. I expected him to pop up from his hiding place. He didn’t. 

            By then I realized the egret disappeared completely. When I put my head down to write, my focus changed and I missed his stroll or flight. 

            The abrupt departure disappointed me since I enjoy leisurely watching wildlife from my patio. However, my shifted attention prevented a satisfactory end to an engaging story.  

            Instead of writing during the experience, I could have waited to pen my devotional even though I thought some details might have been lost. 

            How many times do we become distracted by what is unimportant and miss the truly worthwhile? 

Think of what is most important in your life. Are you giving that top priority?  

Heavenly Father, help us examine our lives and see if we are giving top priority to what is truly important.

Amen

Thursday, January 25, 2024

Guidance from Creation


 

Your love, O Eternal One, towers high into the heavens. Even the skies are lower than Your faithfulness. Your justice is like the majestic mountains.
   Your judgments are as deep as the oceans, and yet in Your greatness,
    You, O Eternal, offer life for every person and animal.

Your strong love, O True God, is precious.

All people run for shelter under the shadow of Your wings.

Psalm 36:5-7(The Voice)

My focus waned. Devotional books, a journal and the Bible on my lap faded from my mind as I contemplated the scene before me. 

            As the sky transitioned from black to pale blue, I stared at the changing design.  Stripes of white crisscrossed the eastern sky. In the south, strips of dark clouds variegated the azure canopy. Near the horizon across the lake, yellowish beams peeped between the trees. 

            The ever-changing view mesmerized me and distracted me from reading the Bible and finishing my devotional time. Then I realized experiencing and appreciating the front row seat to God’s creation was my worship. To sit, be quiet and be thankful. 

            Ducks quacked and swam around the serene lake. Tiny birds fluttered from tree to tree in the dimness of dawn. Spanish moss swayed from bare cypress trees. 

            A trio of large birds flew high above the forest. Birds chirped a greeting. A ball of light blazed through the woods onto the dark water. 

            While immersed in God’s creation around me, I escaped the pressures, pain and perplexity of our unsettled world. He provides food for the ducks, birds and fish. Plants receive needed nutrition, moisture and sunlight. Not only is He faithful in nature but also for us. 

            However, I noticed a few dead plants by the lake and in my flower beds. But tiny shoots grew at their feet. A legacy to the ones passing away brought hope. 

            Just as there are cycles in the plant and animal worlds, we also face seasons of life. Some are joyous and delightful. But at other times we face disappointment, discouragement and despair.  Even during those periods, God is faithful to stand by us, grasp us tightly when we hold Him by a tiny strand, and promises to never leave us. 

            Usually, my lessons come from reading the Bible but today, God guided me by observing His magnificent Creation. Thankfulness flooded me and a sense of wonder overtook me. 

            Find a spot outside to sit silently and observe. Be thankful. 

Creator God, I can’t thank you enough for all You have given us and continue to do. Even in the hardest times, we can depend on your peace, strength and comfort.

Amen

Thursday, January 4, 2024

Lessons from the Manatees


I lift up my eyes to the mountains—where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth. He will not let your foot slip—he who watches over you will not slumber; indeed, he who watches over Israel will neither slumber nor sleep.

Psalm 121:1-3 (NIV)

A light fog blurred the trees along the bank and formed a curtain blocking the river entrance.  But as the sun warmed the air, the gray mist disappeared and revealed a brilliant, blue sky. 

            When river temperatures dip into the 60’s or lower, manatees travel to the warmer waters of Blue Spring. Large, gray bodies hovered in the clear water. Occasionally, they would slowly drift upward for a breath of air. Their snouts would break the surface of the water with a puff and then they immediately sank. 

            A few calves remained close to their moms. Each large creature swam with little flippers and a large tail. 

Many of the older ones wore crisscross scars on their backs. A few had chunks taken out of their tails. All from boat propellers. 

Even though the number of manatees going to the spring that day was seven hundred thirty-six, none of the gentle creatures seemed perturbed by the crowd in the relatively small space. Not one pushed or shoved those around them. They peacefully floated through the water as though no one was around them. They also ignored the masses of people talking and taking pictures. 

As I watched the docile animals, I thought of how we can learn from them. We can find a safe, quiet spot to escape the chaos of our world. Find a spot to enjoy God’s creation. 

In three days, I found solace in three places with water. The quiet water of Blue Spring, the ocean with rolling waves and the calm lake behind my home. Each one gave me peace and tranquility.

Despite their scars, the manatees remained blissful and content. Not one expressed aggressiveness to the throng milling about the spring. 

The large, mellow animals would never be described as beautiful, muscular or handsome. Their bodies seem to be put together with extra parts but they accept the way God made them.  

In a serene retreat, we can focus on our blessings and ignore distractions. We can learn to accept who we are even with our scars and less than perfect bodies. We can learn to not worry and depend on God instead. 

Watching the manatees gave me a sense of peace and thankfulness at what God has done for me. 

Creator, thank you for using your creation to teach us. We can learn about life and how to handle it through your creation. We know you are always with us.

Amen