The Shortcut That Wasn’t

Photo by Sasan Hezarkhani on Unsplash

My dad was famous for his shortcuts. They usually took far longer than the traditional route and we teased him at every opportunity. We later learned his not so short shortcuts were more of the scenic variety than a shorter route, which was his intention all along. However, others, including Google, said the cutoff through Christmas Valley was shorter than the route we normally took to my hometown in southern Oregon. What they didn’t say was that while it was shorter in miles it was not shorter in time.

The road wound through beautiful mountains covered in pine and fir trees and peppered with rich green valleys. Bare of all habitation. Not realizing there were no amenities once we left Burns, Oregon, we didn’t bother with stopping for a meal. We had snacks, but those only go so far.

About halfway to our next turnoff, we found a small convenience store. As my husband climbed out of the truck, his legs buckled. Thank goodness he caught himself. If he had fallen, I would never have gotten him back on his feet without help. At 79 years old, his joints stiffened if he sits for too long. Even with frequent breaks, our long trip took a toll on his older body.

By the time we reached our hotel at 9 pm, twelve hours from the time we left home, my husband was incoherent and unsteady on his feet. I recognized the signs of low blood sugar and urged him back out to the truck. At that late hour, there wasn’t a lot of food choices around the hotel, either tacos or hamburgers. At least the latter had enough carbs and protein to bring his blood sugar back up to normal levels.

The next morning, we felt like we had hangovers, but we couldn’t sleep in and rest. I had to be at the church by 9:30 am to help with the setup for my mother’s memorial service.

Although the reason for our gathering was sorrowful, it produced a miracle.

Due to some misunderstandings, my three kids have been estranged for years. I have prayed for years for a reconciliation. As I descended the church steps, I witnessed my eldest son and my daughter embrace. During the luncheon, all three of my kids sat together with their spouses. This miracle brought more joy than I can describe. Sorrow brought us together, but joy left with us.

My dad’s penchant for scenic drives had a purpose, as did God’s delayed answer to my prayers. Without the experiences we encounter on the way, we would not be prepared for the joy at the end of our journey.

With God, a patient wait often leads to a happy ending. Amen.  

 

What’s Wrong with the World

Jesus entered Jerusalem hailed as a king. The Jews believed he was the leader who would save them from Roman oppression, but He had other plans. He came to free souls from sin, to fix internal issues, not external threats.

I can see the value of changing hearts rather than circumstances. Violence and hatred will not cease as long as humans embrace sinful thoughts, desires and actions. If each person changed internally, accepting God and His values, the world would change. But Satan will never allow that.

The Greek word for devil is dia-bolos, “one who divides.” The evil spirit promotes division, isolation and discord. “For our wrestling is not against flesh and blood; but against principalities and power, against the rulers of the world of this darkness, against the spirits of wickedness in the high places.” Ephesians 6:12.

Jesus, The Great Unifier, promotes oneness, peace and reconciliation — selfless service to others, especially to those most vulnerable. Imagine a world which actually lives the precepts of the Christian faith. But that too is an illusion as along as we live in this broken world.

“The Christian ideal has not been tried and found wanting. It has been found difficult; and left untried.” From What’s Wrong with the World by G. K. Chesterton.

Lord, I pray for our world, our country, our leaders, our families. Open our hearts and minds to your holy will. Amen.

 

More Than One Kind of Charity

Image from rony michaud@pixabay

During this season of Lent, the readings emphasize forgiveness, compassion, reconciliation, and charity. I feel chastised and convicted of not doing enough, especially charity. I worry about standing with the goats instead of the sheep at the Final Judgement.

My life hasn’t presented earth changing opportunities for charity. Now that my children are grown, should I be doing something else with my life? None of my talents lean toward the life style Mother Teresa led, and then what of my husband? He would not agree to sell everything we have, give it all to the poor, and become missionaries. Is that what God is asking of me?

What about the talents He gave me for painting and for writing? How can I use those to help the poor? Or can I?

My meditation in Living Faith this morning prompted a divine response to all my questions. Author Teri Milfek recalled an irate motorist behind her at a red light. The impatient driver blew his horn at the moment the light turned green. She was angry until she realized she had done the same thing to another driver. Where was her compassion?

How many times have I done something similar? Yet, how did this tie in with my desire to be more charitable?

God filled my heart with the answer. Charity isn’t just giving food, water, and alms. It is also charity in heart and mind, giving the benefit of the doubt, offering understanding rather than criticism, forgiving when we’d rather hold a grudge.

Every single moment of my life can be an act of charity. As Jesus said, “A good man out of the good treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is good: and an evil man out of the evil treasure bringeth forth that which is evil. For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh.” Luke 6:45.

Praying for my enemies is an act of charity.

Smiling instead of growling at the impatient driver behind me at the red light is also an act of charity.

Watching the news and not thinking evil thoughts about those creating such discordance and suffering is an act of charity.

Offering money or food to a vagrant without judgement is an act of charity.

Offering my assistance at church for various projects is an act of charity.

Donating my paintings or giving them away, brightening someone’s life in a small way, is an act of charity.

Continuing to write my novels despite the lack of bucket loads of good reviews and sales is an act of charity.

Help me, Lord, to be more charitable from this day forward. Amen.