Sharing

Listen to these words from Nehmiah 8:10-- "Then he [Ezra] said to them, "Go your way, eat the fat, drink your sweet wine and send portions of them to those for whom nothing is prepared, for this day is holy to our Lord; and do not be grieved, for the joy of the Lord is your strength."

What does it mean to me? In these days following the earthquake in Haiti and the blizzards here at home, it is easy for me to feel guilty about my abundance of material wealth. Yet, the prophet Ezra helps to put it in perspective. It's not that we are to feel guilty about our wealth, but that we must not forget to help those people who are without. It all goes back to that simple thing that I was taught as a child -- Sharing.

I am to share what I have with those who don't have. When I was a child, I shared grudgingly. It got easier the more I practiced it. Today, I still am tempted to complain when I pay taxes or make my tithe to the church. I'm tempted to think more highly of myself for doing what is required and right. I sometimes think that I should have greater privilege to say how the shared money is spent. But that's not so. I'm called to share of my wealth for the greater good of all.

Our God is a God of abundance. Our God gives us more than we can ever want. Our God entrusts us to distribute that wealth equitably so that all have enough. Help me, O God, to do my part and to do it with a smile on my face and without self-righteousness.

I wonder if I can do this...... I can, with God's help.

Snow - continued........

The snow started at noon on Thursday Christmas eve..... and it snowed and snowed and snowed.... Then it blew and blew..... and drifted and snowed and........ Well, you get the idea. The snow didn't stop until Saturday morning. Christmas eve church services were cancelled. Andy, Seika and Kei came early and stayed over, but Carrie's family was snowed in.

Our plans were interrupted and changed for us. Maybe it was for the best. Sometimes our Christmas seems so hurried. This year it was quiet, because we had no choice but to stay home. God had a different plan for us it seems. Perhaps this is one of the ways God stops us to get our attention? I don't know....

Christmas

"I sometimes think we expect too much of Christmas Day. We try to crowd into it the long arrears of kindliness and humanity of the whole year. As for me, I like to take my Christmas a little at a time, all through the year.
- David Grayson
American author and journalist (1870-1946)"

Blessings

Here's something I read: "When you are blessed, you feel obliged to bless others."

More later........

Snow

It seems appropriate that I make some mention of the recent snowfall. I think we've probably gotten a foot or more of the white stuff since last Sunday. It's very cold this morning and the winds are blowing all around. We didn't try to get out and go to work til the snow plow came down the street and now that Rand has the shoveling done, we are going to make a try to get to the office.

I've had a warm dry place to weather the storm. I have plenty of food in the pantry and spent this morning making a hot cereal for Rand and making a casserole for tonight's supper. I hope to take this casserole to the church for the potluck supper there tonight.

I wonder how many people did not have warm places to spend the night. How many people are wondering when their next meal is? Maybe I can help out just a little bit to make the world better for even one more person today. That's my goal. That's my hope. Maybe someone will recognize Christ because of my actions. Dear God, make it so.

Every-day Christian

Today I went to a worship service to remember the life of my friend Shirley, an every-day Christian. Granted, she was a Sunday morning Christian as well, but her faith in Christ sustained her throughout the week in all that she did. When I think of Shirley I always think of integrity. She was never excited about the latest craze. Her actions were based upon what God would have her to do. You always knew where she stood on a matter. When she spoke to give her opinion, we all took note.

Yet, she was not demanding that her way was the only way. She did not belittle the opinions of others but was gracious in hearing out another. Others may have different ways of doing things and that was okay by her, but she was not swayed. She knew what God wanted of her and she stayed on that path.

Shirley has been ill with cancer for several months now. This last Monday night, she left this life of pain for a better life with Christ. I am certain that she is at peace.

I don't have to wonder about this.

Hope

You, O Lord, are my hope,
my trust, O Lord, from my youth.
Upon you I have leaned from my birth;
it was you who took me from my mother's womb.
My praise is continually of you.
- Psalm 71:5-6
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I've said before, "There's no hope," and usually, I was making a joke about something insignificant. Maybe a cake didn't turn out looking like I wanted. Maybe my hair wouldn't lay straight. Maybe my desk was in shambles. Those things really don't matter in the long run.

But, in the important things of life, I always have hope -- not in my own goodness or abilities. Rather my hope is in God who can make something out of nothing. God is still in the business of creation, hope, healing. I trust God for those things that seem hopeless to me.

Now...... off to work to approach my desk that's in a shambles. Actually, it's all in boxes. The office is being carpeted, painted and rearranged. The cubicles are all being moved. I wonder where I'll find my belongings today.