In a word...

"I will give thanks to you, O Lord, with all my heart, for you have heard the words of my mouth...

When I called, you answered me; you built up strength within me."

Psalm 138:1,3

 

I love this Psalm today! Why? Because it is a Tuesday...in May, and, thus a great day to celebrate everything that God has done in us and for us. God's handiwork is growing and blooming all around us. God is recreating our northern hemisphere with new life! And the new life can grow within us as well. Today, let's look at the world with spring-loving eyes. Let's give profound thanks that God hears every word from our mouths and gives us everything we need to flourish in our lives. Remember that, if the only prayer we pray is "Thanks," it will be enough. Love, heidi

Listen, open, act!

"Lydia...listened, and the Lord opened her heart..."

Acts 16:14

I love the story of Lydia because it shows us that accepting Jesus into our lives and believing in Him doesn't mean sitting around, saying we are Christian! Lydia was baptized and immediately invited the disciples into her home. Her conversion led to action--immediately! We can give lip-service to being Christian, but what is really necessary is our giving service-service. I have been watching a PBS documentary series called "God in America." It has been fascinating to watch, throughout our history how faith has shaped this country. One of the most stunning examples, though, as been when Christians read their bibles, then set them down and went to work--making sure the poor were cared for, prisons were humane, children were educated. It was just like Lydia: they listened to the word of God, their hearts were opened, and they acted. Listen, open your heart, and act! Good advice for a May Monday! Love, heidi

Remain in me...

"Remain in my love."

John 15:9

I have a particularly challenging and special day of work today. It is both exciting and a bit intimidating, but I can hardly wait to see how it all plays out. One thing I know for certain is that Jesus will be with me, encouraging me, strengthening me and giving me every inner resource I will need. I often wonder how people cope with the ups and downs of life when they do not turn to Jesus to help them through a Newly-May Thursday? If that makes me appear weak and dependent, hooray for me! All I know is, sometimes I feel asked to do more than I know how to do, and I am grateful not to have to do it on my own. I remain in Jesus, and, thankfully, Jesus remains in me. And together we can do God's will. Love, heidi

A Jesus-full day...

"And whatever you do, in word or in deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him."

Colossians 3:17

I'm sure we all think of Jesus throughout the day...especially if facing a challenge, a frustration, or a success. But what if we thought about Jesus during the most mundane, routine or ho-hum moments we encounter? There is Jesus during our routine coffee stop at the gas station. There Jesus is, holding the door for us at the Post Office. There is Jesus in the Assisted Living facility, sitting in a wheelchair by the fireplace. If we see Jesus all day it will be easier to thank Jesus all day. Every event of our day is thanks-worthy. Even the littlest ones--especially the littlest ones! Our day is made up of routine encounters that are not really routine at all. And our actions, in word and deed, should reflect the glory of the Jesus moments throughout our day. Blessings on your Wednesday--filled with Jesus moments! Love, heidi

Free us!

"...if we are still tainted by the lie that we can do something to make God love us more, we are rejecting the message of the cross."

Brennan Manning, "The Ragamuffin Gospel"

Wow, that. I think it begins early in childhood, when we are vying for attention. "Watch me!" We holler out to anyone we want to impress. It is up to us to draw attentive eyes toward us so we can be validated. With God, we are so small and God is so big. Why and how we would ever think we even could impress God, much less have to? And yet, I can surely see that in my repertoire. Jesus just wants us to love God and each other. In today's Gospel Jesus says, "Do not let your hearts be troubled or afraid." (John 14:27) Does that sound like someone holding a bar outstretched for us to jump over? Jesus knows that our loving each other will enhance our lives and help us to be happy. Jesus knows that serving each other will fill us with a joy that cannot come from simply trying to please God. Jesus knows what we need to be fulfilled in this life. And it isn't spinning our wheels calling out to God, "Watch me!" Lord, please help us to free ourselves...from ourselves! Love, heidi

God's glory, not ours!

"Not to us, Lord, not to us but to your name, give glory, because of your faithfulness and love."

Psalm 115:1

I was reading a little article about St. Bernadette in The Word Among Us this morning and it really brought the message of this scripture verse home. As famous as she could have become, after her visions of Our Lady at Lourdes, Bernadette shied away from fame and fortune. Her family was poor and she could have capitalized on the visions, but she did not. She was sought after for interviews, photographs; people even wanted her to touch their stuff so they could claim a secondary relic, but she did not. You see, she realized who was really worthy of the glory, and it wasn't her. In today's first reading (Acts 14:5-18), the people try to make Paul and Barnabas famous "stars" because of the healings they were doing in Jesus' name, but they would have none of that. "Men, why are you doing this? We are of the same nature as you, human beings!" (v. 15) Today, let's be aware of the glory of God and realize that any good we do is through and for God's glory--because of God's faithfulness and love. Let's get ourselves out of the way and let God work! Love, heidi