Letting Go

I think one of the hardest things for moms is learning the joy of letting go. As "mother bears' we get so good at collecting to make that nest.  It provides and teaches and protects. Plus, society is wonderful to inform us of all our children's "needs" - from the right pacifier to that pricey college education. So we begin to research and save and work and hope for the best for those little ones.

But then, a new word starts coming from these precious souls: "Let go. I want to grow."

Its now that  Luke 17:20-18:8 begins to make some sense. Jesus says to be ready to go whenever He appears. In fact if our things (or people?) are in the house we are not to go back and get them. Hmm...

So we really don't need all that stuff - in the end. In fact gripping it will prevent openness to new
things and activities. There is joy and hope and a future in letting go. Jesus said, " Whoever tries to keep their life will lose it, and whoever loses their life will preserve it."

Thank you Lord for providing those children who say, "Let go. We want  to grow." It is not our natural way, Father. But by Your grace we do - and so receive more of You. 

Becoming Whole

Jesus seemed amazed. Nine lepers had been healed but only one had come back: "Has no one returned to give praise to God except this foreigner?" ( Luke 17:1-19 )

Sure the others were doing what He had told them: ("Go, show yourselves to the priests.") And they were probably excited about getting on home to family and friends to share this wonderful life changing news of healing. They might have even thought to thank Almighty God on the way for this blessing.

But one had come back. And he was an outcast Samaritan. One of that hated sect that had messed up in the past and didn't do all the law and worship right. But oh, how he was grateful! ("praising God in a loud voice. He threw himself at Jesus' feet and thanked him").

The deal was that he had come back to Jesus the Giver of the gift. The gift of healing was sure great but coming to thank and praise the Giver was even better. Jesus told him, "Rise and go; your faith has made you well." They had all been healed, but this man was well (or whole, having been saved in the Greek). His healing had penetrated his soul. 

Lord, help us to come back to You this Thanksgiving. May Your work in us penetrate our soul and spirit so that we offer heartfelt praise and are made whole. 

God's Eyes

God has wonderful eyes to see through. The Pharisees were obsessed with looking good and righteous to others. But Jesus notes in Luke 16:14-32 that they are "lovers of money". As leaders in the Jewish religion who knew God's law, you would think they would be lovers of men.

But God could see they had heart trouble. Love of self and the power from money had hardened their hearts and had even spread to their ears. So the life giving words Jesus spoke, they scoffed at. They dismissed the Savior as "hopelessly out of touch." (The Message)

What the Pharisees and the world esteems highly, God sees as "detestable". He sees behind the facades. He values healthy, humble, life giving, full of love hearts. The monuments to this world's prideful accomplishments He would call monstrous. 

Lord, may we be open to Your truth so our heart can be healed. May You transparently see us as lovers of You and men.

Blessings this season,

Ouida

Being Grateful

Do you get the older brother in Luke 15:25-16:13?  I do. He is hard working, serious, diligent, dependable, obedient and very productive. He is so job focused that when he hears the music and dancing (his good-for-nothing younger brother's homecoming party), he goes to check out what is going on. And it is understandable that he gets miffed because that renegade brother of his is getting the party when he's been left at home to take up all the slack. Actually he's been fuming about this brother for some time ( he calls him the Dad's son instead of brother).

But then the sad truth comes out that this oldest son thinks he deserves favors from the father because of his hard work and consistent obedience. Really, hasn't he earned it? But the pride has puffed him up so much that he boycots the party and finally blows up bitterness on the father.

Hmm... This poor guy has forgotten who he is and whose family he's in. But the reminder to him and us comes: "'My son,' the father said, 'you are always with me, and everything I have is yours.'"

Oh Father! Help us to remember that we are in Your family. All You have is ours. May we be only grateful.

Coming Home

This time of year our thoughts turn toward home. How warming it is to read about that son that did come home in Luke 15:8-24. He was just like so many of us who thought "there's got to be more and better out there. I'm going to find out." So we gather our stuff and head out only to start making bad choices.

But then comes the thrilling part - the big turn around. When times get really hard, this son finally "comes to himself". It's like he meets up with the real boy (or now humble young man), who knows where to go. And it is home. 

And what a short the trip. The watching Father runs out to meet him. The young man doesn't even get all his prepared speech spit out before the father starts ordering up honor and celebration. His son has come home!

Lord, thank you for calling and watching for us. We love how you welcome us home.

Joining the Party

Jesus is welcoming, laughing and eating with some pretty shady characters in Luke 14:25-15:7.

I'm wondering if I would be surprised and think grumble thoughts like those Jewish church leaders. 

So Jesus tells the story of the shepherd who lost one of his sheep. He leaves the 99 sheep in the wilderness and goes of to find that lost one. When He finds her He lays her on His shoulder, rejoicing. I mean He is very happy. So happy that He calls His friends and neighbors to come and have a party. "Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep which was lost!"

Jesus says "in the same way" there is more rejoicing in heaven over one lost child that is found than over 99 who get by on good behavior. 

I want to join those rejoicing parties. I want to be used by God in helping find those lost ones. It will make those parties ever so sweet.

A Lively Kingdom

Seen any good kingdoms lately? Even the wonderful fairy tale versions are just shallow facades of God's Kingdom. (Luke 13:18-14:6)

As Jesus is describing the mustard seed and yeast analogies, we get a sense of life. And life that can multiply and grow amazingly. Also this life works and grows in secret. We sure don't see the beginning of the seed under ground or yeast in the dough.

But what we do see are the results. The tree life embraces birds and gives shelter and protection. At our place we see great oaks that have supported playful squirrels, hummingbirds, numerous insects, one large snake, honey bees and several tree house variations. 

Yes, in God's kingdom there is life in abundance. Thank you Lord for inviting us into Your realm.