April 2, 2020

Today’s bit of wisdom is coming from Lucy.  I can identify with Lucy sometimes.  I can be grumpy, too.  Often it’s just because I have to shake my head at what comes out of some people’s mouths!  But I’m sure I have spoken my share of blunders.  These days, however, I am sincerely trying to rise above my frustrations and – as stated yesterday – be the happiest I can be!

Feeding four or five people every day has put my grocery skills on the line.  It’s been decades since I’ve had to feed more than myself, and then add two boys into the mix!  So today I went to Aldi’s senior shopping event.  I was in and out in less than 15 minutes, home and showered and ready to start the day in record time.  And I got everything on the list and not a thing extra!  So we can eat and snack (very important point!) comfortably for several days.  I scrubbed myself, the car seat and steering wheel, sprayed Lysol, wiped off groceries, showered, and had fresh clothes before I did a thing.  I commandeered Kelly into helping me, and we took everything out of all the cupboards and drawers in the kitchen and wiped and sorted and rearranged.  So now the kitchen is happy and so am I.  Time for a yard sale! 

This afternoon I had my quiet time while listening to our preacher, Mike Hazelton, from Hempfield Church of Christ. 

His message was based on Luke 17 – the story of the 10 lepers who begged Jesus to heal them.  He did.  One out of ten went back to thank Jesus, which saddened Jesus to the point that he asked where the other nine were.  So often we forget to be grateful, and we take things for granted that are miracles or acts of kindness or required effort on the part of others for our benefit.  Do we take God for granted?  In times of crisis, as now, we find ourselves turning to God, needing assurance and comfort and peace.  Asking for blessings and direction and help.  Coming together with friends and believers for reassurance.  God does not question our change of heart, or place conditions on His love and care for us, and exhibits only patience.  When we can meet together safely again, we will undoubtedly flood the churches and worship God in thanksgiving and praise.  But how long will it be until we slowly pull away again, confident in our own abilities to control our situation and our life’s direction?  Now, more than ever, we need to BE the church.  The church is not the building; the church is God’s people.  We can listen to messages via the internet/facebook/websites and strengthen our faith and resolve.  But we do not need to meet together in a building to be clothed in God’s goodness, to reach out as a witness or a helping hand or an encouraging word.  So, as in Luke 17 and our lepers, be grateful.  Acknowledge God’s support and presence in your life, and share God with those around you.  We can encourage each other, and offer peace and comfort and basic needs to those who are lost and hurting.  BE the church, wherever you are. As in a recent facebook post, ‘The church isn’t empty.  The church as been deployed!’

And now, on this date in history, just two little things to share.  In 1917 Woodrow Wilson asked congress to declare war on Germany.  And the delightful and talented Doris Day was born on this date in 1922.  After checking out Mike’s message on facebook (Hempfield Church of Christ)  or at hempfieldchurch.org, why not relax and watch one of Doris Day’s many movies?  Have a beautiful evening!