I read this passage just this week, the week before I am to host my son and future daughter-in laws engagement party. The biggest party I have attempted to this point. Now maybe I should inform you that this is not my “thing” – throwing parties. I’m a nervous type personality and on top of that a control freak so parties – and me hosting them – well those two just don’t mix well. However I said I would and so the story begins. The planning, the decorations, the food, the drink, the music, the tents ( did I mention this was outdoors)…… I didn’t sleep well from inception. So much to organize so much to think about so much to do. I have list upon list. Truly you would be amazed at the pressure I put on myself. As if News 7 would be there to report on how I did. But here I am – a week before the party and feeling pretty good about everything. All was in line. I was in control. Ahhhh but then I made my big mistake: I checked the weather for this upcoming week. Saturday – yes – you know what’s coming. That’s right: storms. Well how in the world do I control the weather? If I could I would so I figured since I can’t control the weather I’ll do the next best thing. I’ll WORRY! And I’ll worry so much that I will suck every ounce of joy out of this event! And that’s what I started to do. And then it hit me. What was I doing? What were all these past years of struggling to stay focused on Christ for? All the hard work to live life differently – a life filled with Christ?  Those years were to prepare me for times when I can’t handle stuff and for me to let Christ step in and lead. And what was I doing? The exact opposite. I was trying to lead. I was trying to control instead of giving it up. Giving it to Him and telling him that whatever His will was for that day, well then it would be exactly what was right for me. So I did it. I have let go. I have given it to God. I feel better just typing those words. The anxiousness seems to have subsided, and you know what? Whatever Saturday’s weather brings – rain or shine – my son is getting married! And to a great girl! What a beautiful day it will be.

I have grand visions of what a loving wife I will be, what a devoted mother I will be, what a friendly neighbor I will be, what a holy church member I will be, etc. Unfortunately, I already know that I will fail in many of the same ways I have been failing here, but at least I get another chance with a clean slate.

So what do you care about this and what does this mean for you? Even though you may not be the one moving away, you still have the same chance for a clean slate, to start over and do better, be kinder, more loving, holier. Why do you have this same chance? Because Jesus Christ continually supplies you with a clean slate. Every time you truly seek God’s forgiveness, you get it.  Every day when you wake to the miracle of a brand new day, God gives you another chance.

Have you ever wondered at how amazing it is that you even wake up every morning? That you didn’t die in your sleep? God’s giving you a fresh start!  God’s giving you all the chances you need, and I hope that you make the most of each one, because there will come a day when God will examine your slate in judgment, and it will only be wiped clean one final, lasting time if you have put your faith in Jesus Christ.

emphasis on living it.

In 1910, the World Missionary Conference (of Protestant groups) held that the

primary role of missionaries was to preach the gospel, build churches, etc.

The 2010 conference (attended by far fewer folks, however)  noted that most

missionaries were now far more interested doing something for the poor,

or repressed peoples of the world–building and supporting African orphanages,

fighting the child-sex trade in Thailand,and assisting HIV-AIDS prevention groups.

“It’s not enough to say Jesus loves you and then jump on a plane”.

As with most things, the question is one of balance, no? Does the far lower 2010

attendance  suggest a generally lower level of spirituality?

Are missionaries becoming more like social justice workers? Then again, do we best

promote Christianity by what we do, not just what we say? But let’s not forget the

saying! Love thy neighbor as thyself, but it’s only the second Commandment!

That verse seems like such a simple verse to be able to fulfill. Yes, yes I’m so happy for you! Great, wonderful. Words that are easy to say to someone when it’s all “going your way”. Not so easy when luck has taken a vacation from you. Jealousy can rear its ugly head. How come it’s working out for them? What about me?

As Max Lucado wrote: “You want to plumb the depths of your love for someone? How do you feel when that person succeeds?”

I happily thought I had resolved that nagging sin problem with this new resolution, until less than two minutes later I thought something judgmental about a relative. “Oh no!” I thought, “It’s not only when I speak!”

Now that’s really a dilemma. If I speak, I sin. If I think, I sin. Talk about being stuck between a rock and a hard place.

The only way I can see around this is to speak only if it glorifies God and to think only about God. That’s it, just speak kind works and think holy thoughts. Ok, so I still mess up a lot (and will always mess up a lot), but I do think that at least I have a goal I did not have before. And the best part is, when I realize I’ve fallen short of that goal, I know that Jesus Christ will take me the rest of the way and make up for my transgressions.

When I’m in these situations, I find that my restlessness, unease, and general unhappiness isn’t actually caused by the aforementioned storm cloud, it is because I am not right with God. It is because I am not following His commandments, not asking for His forgiveness, not making Him the center of my life, not living to glorify Him.

And that’s when things get better:  when I realize I am not following God’s ways and when I seek reconciliation. That doesn’t mean the loathsome cloud goes away; the people and circumstances in my life may or may not change. But I am filled with joy and peace because I have confidence that God works everything in my life for good; and I have hope, because behind the cloud I know there is the promise of God’s sunshine.

John  19:30:  “It is finished.”

For a moment He didn’t want to do what He knew had to be done. Don’t forget He was indeed human. He knew what was coming, but you know what? He finished what He started. Do we? Or when it gets tough do we walk. Maybe a marriage where the firecrackers aren’t going off so often? Maybe a job that has gotten stale? Maybe even a friend who’s become just a tad bit more work than we expected. Finish what you’ve started. He did.

I’m working at getting more consistent in giving thanks for my food. Eating out in public or with nonbelievers provides a challenge which I’ve been trying to overcome. First I wouldn’t say the blessing at all. Later I would say the blessing in my head. Then I started quickly mumbling the blessing. Next I would furtively make the sign of the cross before the mumbling. And now I am at the point where I can make the sign of the cross without too much self-consciouness and softly but clearly say a blessing. I’m working at being able to unashamedly make the sign of the cross and say a normally paced blessing without lowering my voice.

For me, it’s the small, everyday issues, like saying a blessing over my food, that are helping me to become a more devoted and confident follower of Jesus Christ.