Cure for blindness--change from the inside

"Immediately things like scales fell from his eyes and he regained his sight."

Acts 9:18

 

Wow, I wish curing visual impairment was just that easy!  But, actually it wasn't that easy.  Saul had to go though a tremendous change in order for the scales to fall from his eyes and his true healing would begin.  Saul had to change from the inside out.  And, for those of us who have been there, that isn't always easy.  That change begins with us wanting to change.  We need to recognize that there are things about ourselves that we know could be better.  We recognize that we are not the people God knows we can be.  God loves us, but God isn't finished with us and there is room for us to grow. After Saul was struck blind on the road to Damascus, he realized that harsh truth.  He wasn't the man he was meant to be...he needed to change.  Today, as we embark on a May/Mother's Day weekend, let's ask God to help us be that person that only God can see--our true selves.  The person we will become if we surrender to God's cure for blindness.  Lord, help the scales to fall from my eyes, just like Saul's.  Help me to see through your eyes of compassion and love.  Help me to see others the way you see them so I can love more fully! Love, heidi

God--the DIY expert!

"I called to the Lord with my mouth; praise was upon my tongue. Blessed be God who did not refuse me the kindness I sought in prayer."

Psalm 66:17. 20

 

This may sound completely worldly and not the least bit spiritual, but, this morning I gaze at the finished product of my paint/carpet project and am filled with gratitude to God.  It was God, I believe, who put the bug in my ear, "Let's get this done," like God was in a Home Depot ad.  I had a deadline and it will be completed by the time the kids all arrive home tomorrow night.  I realized that I have so much to be grateful for--my health and fitness that allowed me to climb around like a teenager, painting every nook and cranny, and lovely, kind people who helped me with the purchase, and the gift of my employment that allowed me to pay for it all.  So, as I sit, this morning, in my simple, yet beautiful little hermitage, I am grateful to the Home Improvement Specialist extraordinaire, God. Thank you!  Love, heidi

The gift from heaven...

"For the bread of God is that which comes down from heaven and gives life to the world."

John 6:33

 

As a little different take on this reading this morning...as I was doing the readings, I got up to open the back door a bit to cool off. I noticed the most beautiful, gentle rain, coming down from heaven. I just watched and listened to it for a while. Everything was so still (no wind!) and the rain just gently kissed the ground.  It was such a beautiful experience!  I feel that God sent the rain to us this morning to also give life to the world.  The rain, to me, was as welcome as the manna God sent the Israelites in the desert.  Dearest, darling God, thank you for sending us nourishing rain from heaven.  Thank you for caring for the needs of our land and also, our hearts.  Please help us to appreciate your many gifts all through this day!  Love, heidi

Be reverent...

...conduct yourselves with reverence during the time of your sojourning."

1 Peter 1:17

 

This sentence just jumped out at me when I read the second reading yesterday!  I sat and thought about what reverence looks like and realized, to be reverent I need to:

Slow down...I can't go barreling into something and be reverent.  Reverence is a slower walk, a softer step.  I need to slow down.

Be "awe-ful"...that is, full of awe.  God is all around me and it is awesome to witness God in action.

Be humble...the awesomeness of God makes me realize how truly tiny I am in the universe.

Be still...God is so quiet and subtle I really need to be still and quiet to hear the whisper of God. 

As we go about our Cinco de Mayo Monday, let's go about our day with a reverence for God in our day.  Our day is like a great cathedral--filled with God-ness.  Let's be reverent!  Love, heidi