Devotionals

“Work for six days, and rest on the seventh.” – Exodus 23:12
“Be still, and know that I am God.” – Psalm 46:10

While studying the Hebrew scripture in seminary, I read carefully for the first time as an adult the ten commandments. This is one of those scriptures that we are given in Sunday school and they vaguely hover around, feeling familiar. But I found that I knew them only vaguely. And I was particularly struck by my total carelessness, disregard and disobedience to the fourth Word: remember the sabbath day and keep it holy. Is it really on a par with “you shall not murder” and “have no other gods before the Lord your God?” In a culture and family life running wild with the busyness of jobs, school, sports, music and church commitments, is it really important to pay attention to this law?

“In peace I will lie down and sleep. For thou alone, oh Lord makes me to dwell in safety.” – Psalm 4:8

Some years ago my daughter Katie and I went on a road trip to South Dakota. It had been a long time since I had last been out west, and I was excited about going back to the Badlands and the Black Hills.

September is a great time to vacation because the weather is good and the crowds are small, so in the middle of September we packed up our tent and sleeping bags and off we went. We camped in a variety of places, and when we got to the Badlands we found a beautiful place in a state park. Custer State Park, where we camped, has a herd of free-roaming buffalo, and while most of them are confined to a certain section of the park, there are some that graze quite close to the lodge and picnic area.

A Sign of Assurance

“On the day I called, you answered me, you increased my strength of soul.” – Psalm 138: 3

It was an early fall morning the last week of September 1989 and a steady rain had continued through the night. I had tried to sleep but barely managed a few hours. I headed to my church where only a few relief items for victims of Hurricane Hugo remained to be loaded. In just four days, members of Brentwood, TN, UMC and other residents had dropped off enough non-perishable food, cleaning supplies, construction materials and equipment to fill the donated 24' truck.

“Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.” – Matthew 5: 4

Several years ago as many FUMC friends recall, my happy, busy life hit several walls. In June, my father died. In February, my young daughter and I were in an accident in which the other driver was killed. In March, my husband died. And in July, my mother died. While wrestling with three estates and a lawsuit, I sleepwalked the path of my life, an only child essentially alone with an only child. Or was I?

My heart and mind stood still. In my high functioning stupor, I had little short-term memory. Decisions made at the morning meeting were a mystery to me by afternoon. The mind protects itself.

But, as I traversed this rocky road, the hand of God manifested itself. Music was never more beautiful, and its movement created freedom, as long as it lasted. Nature seemed more intense – colors brighter, tiny insects more amazing, sunsets more breathtaking, the dancing red fox an important sign – this hyper vigilance was probably a symptom of post traumatic stress disorder.

Scripture: Luke 13: 1-5

Jesus says the most troubling things sometimes. Since Lent is a time for wrestling with them, Luke 13 isn’t a bad place to start. Why does he threaten destruction on the crowd here? Isn’t this a little unlike the Jesus we’re used to?

In fact, Jesus isn’t threatening the crowd with God’s wrath. He’s trying to point out to them the self-destructiveness of the path they’re set on: rebellion against Rome, rising up in violent resistance to the violence that’s already coming their way from a mighty Empire. The cycle of violence, Jesus keeps on saying, only begets violence. The way out is not to meet this fire with fire, but to meet it with the waters of peace, righteousness and grace. You can still demand change and seek for justice: but to do so violently is, to say the least, counter-productive.

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 6:2-7

“See, now is the acceptable time; see, now is the day of salvation! ³We are putting no obstacle in anyone’s way, so that no fault may be found with our ministry, ⁴but as servants of God we have commended ourselves in every way: through great endurance, in afflictions, hardships, calamities, ⁵beatings, imprisonments, riots, labors, sleepless nights, hunger; ⁶by purity, knowledge, patience, kindness, holiness of spirit, genuine love, ⁷truthful speech, and the power of God; with the weapons of righteousness for the right hand and for the left...”

Renewed and Transformed

For several summers now I’ve been raising Monarch eggs and caterpillars into butterflies and releasing them. The gorgeous orange and black butterflies are endangered and have difficulty finding milkweed plants which they need to lay their eggs and which provide the only food the caterpillars eat. The process to me is exciting and miraculous! When I thought about the cycle, it might be compared to the cycles of a person’s spiritual growth.

I’ve been keeping a copy of this prayer close by. I find it helpful to read as a way of centering myself. It keeps me focused on the present when it can be so easy to get caught up in the ‘what if ’s’ of worry.

St. Theresa’s Prayer

May today there be peace within you.
May you trust God that you are exactly where you are meant to be.
May you not forget the infinite possibilities that are born of faith.
May you use those gifts that you have received,
and pass on the love that has been given to you.
May you be content knowing you are a child of God.
Let this presence settle into your bones,
and allow your soul the freedom
to sing, dance, praise, and love.
It is there for each and every one of you.

Scripture: “You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled underfoot.” – Matthew 5:13

In the spring of 2010, one of my best friends from college passed away rather suddenly at the age of 43. I called Janee, my former college roommate, and we made plans to go to Wisconsin together for our friend’s memorial service.

Wrong Time, Right Place

“Teach me to do your will, for you are my God; may your good Spirit lead me on level ground.” – Psalm 143:10

Joining the United Methodist Church was not my original plan. Growing up Presbyterian, I set out on a Sunday morning in February of 1992 to attend church at Fairlington Presbyterian Church in Alexandria, Virginia. Just out of college, and starting my first “real” job in Washington D.C., I set out on that Sunday morning to find a church to attend.

“All things work together for good” – Romans 8:28
“I have learned to be content in whatever my circumstances” – Philippians 4:11

My Mother’s legacy to our family is built on her faith. The two Bible verses listed above summarize two of my Mother’s guiding principles. No matter what life presented to her, she accepted it. My Mom lost her first boyfriend and two sisters in her teens. Then she fell in love with my Father. In his early 30’s, my Father decided to complete college and go to Garrett Seminary. My Father went to school during the week and worked as a circuit rider to three churches. Our family moved to Chicago during his last year of seminary.

Prayer: Lord, thank you for the sacrifice you made for all of us. Your dying on the cross provides us continuously with the gift of eternal life. You have already chosen us, all of humanity, to be with you forever in Paradise. The rest is up to us, yet you have even shown us the way to get there.

As we humbly sacrifice in your name during this time, let us remember that the purpose is that Lent serves as a reminder of the journey’s path we need to take. It is a time to ask for and receive your continued guidance along the way. God, we ask you to allow us to have the courage to accept the gift you have given to us all. Amen.