Monday's Blessing
Joel 2:13

"Rend your heart and not your garments.  Return to the Lord your God, for he is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and abounding in love, and he relents from sending calamity." 

When my school closed down I was crushed because I believed wholeheartedly that I was doing God's work. After all, I was addressing the woven fabric of education.  All those little stitches that held fast the little souls we were touching.  All those little squares that sometimes became frayed, or washed out with use causing them to become detached from the quilt were the ones I nurtured.  I was giving them something the traditional brick and mortar facility couldn't - smaller classroom size and more one-on-one support.

And thrive they did! Test scores improved, self-esteem improved, and we were on the trek of offering something beautiful.  Our classroom was not defined within the walls of inclusion.  Rather, it branched out to the natural bounty that surrounded our environment and offered a sea of outdoor activities since we lived on the coast.  Lesson plans were harvested in the morning and early afternoons so that the remainder of the day could set sail for indigenous labs and physical activities that renewed the senses. 

Then out of nowhere the recession set in.  Parents were at loss for tuition since jobs were closed, and students were transported to other schools were new work could be found.  Then all of a sudden we were dumbfounded, at such a loss emotionally and physically, that no words can speak justice.  Our doors closed. 

Joel understands such a plight.  The few short chapters from the prophet of Jerusalem speaks of three-pronged devastation.  Wave after wave of locusts swarms - generations of them, young and old ate their way through the harvest fields.  They moved so strongly that the locusts were compared to a mighty army, galloping along like cavalry with noise like chariots.   

Joel called the people together solely for the purpose of seeking repentance.  He said, "Put on sackcloth, O priests, and mourn" (Joel 1:13).  "Declare a holy fast: call a sacred assembly.  Summon the elders and all who live in the land to the house of the Lord your God, and cry out to the Lord" (1:14)

But God wanted more than outward gestures that the people were turning to him. "'Even now, declares the Lord, 'return to me with all your heart, with fasting and weeping'" (2:12)  Joel told the people that God wanted torn hearts, hearts broken up and shredded by the thought that they would try to manage their lives without him.  

I can't say that the close of the school was due to the result of God's judgement, like the swarms of locusts upon Jerusalem.  Maybe it was, maybe it wasn't.  That isn't what is important here as God only knows the hands who need tending.  What matters is where was my heart through all this?  Is my trust in God alone?  Do I live in the awareness of my utter dependence upon him?  

I can tell you when disaster struck, I joined with others in prayer and cried out as Joel did.  Prayers were offered up for those who were suffering since I can not accurately call God's judgement.  Prayers to rend up my heart as Joel did and sit tight waiting for the storm to pass.  And God did keep me safe and secure through it all meeting all my needs.  

Monday's Blessing
Matthew 5:44

"Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, "Whom shall I send? And who will go for us? And I said, 'Here am I. Send me!"

I have always felt the call in my heart to move on something God set before me.  Ever since I was a small girl I have always prayed for God to use me as his instrument.  This has brought me down many paths in my life.  And at on none of these paths did I say, "No."

I have been an educator, direct teacher, to the sacraments of faith.  Later on I became a youth director guiding our young onto paths that were nurtured in faith.  And at this point a writer sharing God's words and love so that others may find comfort knowing he is always there.

These moments I spend spreading news each week are of great comfort to me.  It opens up doors for you the reader, and for me as a servant. Not one week passes that my eyes are not opened for some needed loving guidance.

Isiah's life was also changed by God's call.  At the time of his call he was serving the King, Uzziah, who had just passed on.  Being a priest was a very busy job during those times. In the Old Testament temple means "house of God".  It was not like our churches today as it was known that these places were resting places for God and always need tending.

When God came to Isiah he could have been burning an animal as a gift to our Lord.  He may have been sprinkling sheep's blood on the altar or burning a grain pleasing to God. He could have been sweeping up the Temple's floor.  When Isiah heard his voice he was alone.  He heard God's voice saying, "Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?"

 And Isiah said, 'Here am I. Send me!"

From those words Isiah prophesied for 60 years under the reigns of Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah.  Many consider him the greatest writing prophet.  

God can call you for more than one thing in your life.  Don't shut down when he calls your heart.  Is God calling you to partner with him in ministry?  Listen for his voice today.

Dear Lord,
Here I am.  Some days I may not hear your voice.
Today I am listening.  Place in my heart what you
want me to do.  Amen.

Monday's Blessing

Matthew 5:44

"Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you."
 
This is a down right tough one.  Those enemies cause us undue stress and at times loss of sleep at night.  In fact, we can't even fathom a glimpse in the direction of a foe let alone bring ourselves to prayer.  How can you pray for someone you loath?

Daria had been divorced for 15 years.  She experienced very little in terms of support and money from her ex-husband.  Her sole chore each day was raising her children with little or not help.  That and of course a full time job and the entire duties of a single parent.  On the other hand, her ex claimed he offered her all kinds of services in help raising those boys, yet Daria felt those offerings were little more than what friends would do when someone was in need.  Surely, a parent should be involved a bit more, she thought.  So each night she prayed for Tim asking God to help him see the importance of spending more time with his boys.  

Beth worked with a co-worker named Mary.  Mary always had her talons in their boss, Bill.  Where ever Bill was, Mary was usually close at hand filling his head with all the duties she thought she was doing that were making a difference at the company.  In reality,  these duties were mostly Beth's ideas that Mary failed to give her credit for. When  a promotion came up, Mary got it hands down.  Beth began to feel unappreciated and decided to keep away from Mary at all costs.  Beth prayed fervently for more money and a better position in the company.  

None of the girls moved milestones in their lives with those prayers.  Jesus taught us the following:

• He had come not to abolish the law but to fulfill it. (Matthew 5:17)
• An insult is just as wrong as murder. (Matthew 5:22)
• Through the law would permit retribution, I should turn the other cheek. (Matthew 5:39)
• If someone would sue me for my dress, I should also give him my coat. (Matthew 5:40)

In Biblical times a passerby might be pressed into military service and forced to travel with them doing odd jobs like carrying equipment.  This was true for Simon who was enlisted to carry the cross of Jesus.  Jesus says if, "someone forces you to go one mile, go with him two miles. (Matthew 5:41). What he is saying is that the law is not enough. As Christians we must do more than the bottom line.  

Have you felt great blessings when someone went that extra mile for you?  Maybe you asked for a ride to the ER stating someone else will pick you up and that friend stayed the whole time comforting you.  Or, maybe your car was in the shop and you called a colleague for a ride that day, and he said, "No problem, I can take you for the next few days too while your car is in the shop."

God wants us to do the same for our enemies as we would for our friends.  He promises blessings in return.  Daria decided to pray for her husband one day hoping his life would turn around and he would receive blessings.  It was a hard process to put it bluntly. She did not favor this man. He had done nothing for her but give her three beautiful sons. Shortly afterwards, he began showing up at the house more giving her food by shopping for the family.  He also became more available for appointments when she was unable to leave work.  To top it off, he also called the boys each day to see how they are doing. At this moment Beth is still working up to that point with Mary.

Dear Father,
Forgive me for holding back prayer for those that need
it most.  I ask you to bless my enemies today.  Thank you
Lord for loving me and keeping me close.  Amen.

Monday's Blessing
Luke 10:5

"When you enter a house, first say, 'Peace to this house'."
 
Praying for others is essential.  In fact, the Bible states plainly that we must pray first before we act.  But there are times there are tangible needs that can be tended to for those we meet each day.  That need could be a drive to work or the doctors office, cooking a meal, housecleaning help, or a financial gift.  It could be helping a friend cover all the bases when she is overwhelmed due to a personal catastrophe.  It might be donating some sick days to a fellow employee in need.

I know its tough to reach out most days.  Our own lives are inundated with so many things to do that we can barely keep up ourselves.  But, when we reach out to those in need, God does bless us abundantly.  Luke tells us that when Jesus appointed a two-man team to go into the towns where he later planned to teach and preach, he instructed them in etiquette and told them to do four things: to pray, to bless, to heal, and to say, "The kingdom of God is near." (Luke 10:11)

By praying we are helping to fill the cracks of other's lives.  After we pray we can extend our prayers through acts of caring that will help others see Christ in us and perhaps draw them closer to God.  

We can do this in many ways.  If your local economy has been hit hard during the recent depression and you've noted many businesses checking out, why not make it an option to shop locally?  What good will it do if you just pray for those merchants feeling depressed and sad when they go?  

I recently began stepping out getting to know many local businesses.  I found that the service is more intimate when they know a neighbor is calling.  As a matter of fact, last year I needed two new back tires for my SUV.  I went all over looking for the best deal. To be honest, most of the best deals came from large conglomeration facilities.  By chance, I happened to stop in at a local tire dealer.  You can imagine my surprise when he agreed to match those prices plus reset all my beads for FREE!  I now frequent him each time there is a problem or a need for new tires.  

You can do more than pray.  Open up your heart for opportunities.  Let those feelings of unrest settle.  Allow God to step in and help you with this person.