Do you still not understand?

"(Jesus) said to them, 'Do you still not understand?'"
Mark 8:21

The disciples are concerned because they only brought one loaf of bread and they are in a boat with Jesus. I totally feel for them because that is a trivial thing I would get worked up about too, truth be told. Jesus uses the bread metaphorically and they sit, confused. Jesus has to remind them of all the miracles involving bread to help them feel secure they will not starve on this trip. It's easy to shake our heads at their cluelessness, isn't it? But, really, I am so much the same way. How often have I seen God-at-work in my life and yet, with each new little challenge, I can fret and stew better than any of the disciples. Last year, as I prepared to retire and move, I encountered issues that really drove me out to the ledge, and instead of remembering God's steady hand in all my other Big Stuff, I'd get all freaked out. This year, I can look back on that and grin, apologetically. Pray-As-You-Go asked the question, How do we feel Jesus responds to us in our stew? When we seem to still not get it? That, I know for sure, is easy. Jesus reacts lovingly and tenderly to me. I don't ever feel scolded or chastised for being me. Jesus understands me better than I understand myself. Jesus encourages me to peaceful calm. Jesus encourages me to pull my faith out and use it. And Jesus offers to help me get to where I need to be on the trust scale.  That makes it easier for me to get out there again and do what I do. We have a Champion in our corner!  Today, our February Tuesday (doesn't it seem like we've had a hundred February Tuesdays?) let's recognize that Jesus helps us grow into our best selves. Our best selves are already within us, in fact. Love, heidi