With perhaps a few exceptions, Anchorage School District students look forward to this Thursday's afternoon bell. That sound will mark the end of a semester and the beginning of Winter Break.
Calendars tell us that winter begins on Saturday; but according to kids, the final season of the year starts on Friday. In my mind, as I write, I picture hundreds of Calvins running with glee. What brings you glee?
For the writer of Psalm 94, it was the consolation of the Lord that brought glee.
18 When I said, “My foot is slipping,”
your unfailing love, Lord, supported me.
19 When anxiety was great within me,
your consolation brought me joy.
Psalm 94:18-19 (NIV)
You and I are no strangers to our feet slipping.
We slip for various reasons . . .
- Poor traction
- Steep inclines
- Steep descents
- Slippery paths
Those translate, in our faith walk, to . . .
- Poor preparation
- Intense temptations
- Careless pursuits
- Those infamous "slippery slopes"
Glee abounds when God steps in and prevents our fall or picks us up after we have already fallen.
As we draw near to year's end, we will benefit from a time of reflection that leads to joy.
When God steps in, His actions mark the end of the slipping and the beginning of firm footing.
1 I waited patiently for the LORD;
he turned to me and heard my cry.
2 He lifted me out of the slimy pit,
out of the mud and mire;
he set my feet on a rock
and gave me a firm place to stand.
3 He put a new song in my mouth,
a hymn of praise to our God.
Psalm 40:1-3a (NIV)
The slimy pit-dweller became the firm-place stander. He experienced the consolation of the Lord and, therefore, experienced glee - such glee that his joy led to singing.
Reflect on the times in 2019 when God consoled you. When did He keep your foot from slipping? When did He lift you up?
Through the Scripture, the Author instructs us to do a very helpful thing. He tells us to remember. When we remember, we find it much easier to do two additional actions of faith.
1) Trust God.
2) Fight Fear.
We grow in maturity as we learn to do those essential actions of faith. The more often we remember, the better we become at trusting and fighting. Back in Psalm 94, we recognize what the psalmist fought and in whom he trusted.
- He fought anxiety.
- He trusted God.
As a result of both actions, he experienced the LORD'S unfailing love and consolation.
What a prize!
#ordinarylives
My family and I enjoy the productions of TBA (a local theatre group). As their name illustrates, they train better artists. Memories of seeing their production of "Fiddler on the Roof" continue to form my mouth into a smile. With anticipation, my family and I await their rendition of "It's a Wonderful Life," which we will see this coming Friday.
With equal anticipation, I look forward to Saturday as well. On that afternoon my wife, oldest son, and I will watch and listen as my youngest son graces the ivories during the Winter Recital. What parent doesn't love seeing their child share a talent?
This weekend, at least for the Goodman family, will be one filled with theatre and music - filled with art, in other words. Gratitude overwhelms my heart when I contemplate the thought that God, the greatest artist and artistic director, filled creation with color, sound, beauty, music, and awe.
Art connects me to my Creator. As I listen to music, I hear the miracle of sound and the use of talent. When I view paintings, I see the fruit of one's expression that found its voice on the canvas. "Christian" and "secular" art alike arise from a motivation to create (even if the artist is not aware). God grabs our attention, when we choose to notice, through the art of nature and the art of human creation.
View Rembrandt's "The Return of the Prodigal Son." What do you see?
Attend to Van Gogh's "The Starry Night." Do you see the glory of God in the sky?
Listen to Elijah Bossenbroek's "I Give Up" and you will hear a bit of the music of heaven.
Tune into Journey's "Don't Stop Believing" and you will hear expression of loneliness and temporary solace. The song reminds me that our world needs more hope.
Watch Andrew Lloyd Webber's "Phantom of the Opera" and the music will move your innermost being.
Experience "Fiddler on the Roof" and feel the honesty of Tevye's musical protest to God that poverty, while not a shame, is "no great honor, either."
On Friday, as I watch the artists of TBA and Saturday as I listen to the talent of my son, I will smile and thank God for the gift of the arts. Watch and listen; you will see and hear the creativity of God.
#ordinarylives
An angel walks into a bar . . .
No, it isn't a joke; it's a story.
Just over a month ago, a couple dined at a family-owned restaurant in Euclid, Ohio. After enjoying a nice meal and purchasing a fine wine to go, the waitress, to her stun-worthy surprise, received a $1070 tip.
Samantha "Sam" Meyer could not believe her eyes and, therefore, asked if there was a mistake. (I once left a $50 tip with the intent of leaving $5 - wow that now sounds cheap!) The generous gratuity giver assured Sam that he wrote the number he intended.
Using the "average generous" tipping percentage of 20%, Sam would have received $24.45. One thousand forty-five dollars and fifty-five cents richer, Sam declared, "God works in mysterious ways." She knew that the bills she struggled to pay in October were covered, even after she shared her gift with her fellow servers. The family owners considered the patron to be an angel.
Acts of kindness warm our hearts - even when we receive nothing other than the joy of hearing about them. When have the acts of others blessed you?
I recall . . .
- the check that arrived in the mail when we needed to replace our boiler.
- the financial help from my parents and in-laws over the years.
- the words of encouragement from a friend during a difficult time.
- the tow out of the sand when our dip-netting trip took a turn.
- and so many more times when others blessed me and my family.
Now for another question. When have your acts of kindness blessed others? I hope several occasions enter your mind. That time you . . .
- helped a neighbor.
- gave that gift with no strings attached.
- said that encouraging word.
- forgave the debt.
- carried the load.
If it has been a while since you were that mysterious way through which God blessed another, change that today. Look for an opportunity to practice an act of kindness. See it, do it, and then look for another.
25 Jesus called them together and said, “You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their high officials exercise authority over them. 26 Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, 27 and whoever wants to be first must be your slave— 28 just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”
Matthew 20:25-28 (NIV)
#ordinarylives
