Vacation

This afternoon I want to talk with you about when things don’t go as you had planned. Maybe you can relate.

Our family is fresh off our vacation for the summer and rested and ready for what comes next, I suppose. Now, I’ve always loved the beach, not so much the sand but the sounds and the wind and the waves and the food and the schedule or lack thereof. In preparation for our trip to the beach I pulled out a novel, a book of sermons by Gardner C. Taylor, and a memoir to take with me. I had started all three before we went, which proves critical for me to be motivated to read on vacation. (In the past Michelle and I have always worked to carve out time for one another to be able to read and just think while at the beach.) I also was preparing to pray about certain areas in my life where discernment is needed at this time.

Well, lo and behold, two days before we were to leave, Michelle was called to KY to care for her parents and I went on to the beach with our three kids in tow to meet my sister, her family and my parents.

I did little reading at the beach. Also, instead of much quiet time spent in prayer for discernment, my prayers were simple, short, and simply asking for strength and wisdom. This was not my intention, for I had planned to pray about very specific topics and issues; instead I could only pray in broad strokes. God, please give me strength for today. I was so very tired and this was all I could do.

Maybe Anne Morrow Lindbergh was right when she said, The beach is not the place to work; to read, write or think. I rested and laughed and jogged and prayed and was as quiet as I could be. (Incidentally, the Lindbergh quote was from the first line of her wonderful book, Gift from the Sea. The first line was about as far as I got on vacation in this profound memoir.)

I realize the strength God has given me was in the form of rest. Discernment will have to come in time. I wonder, where do you need God’s strength today? Are you even aware of where it is needed in your life? If not, perhaps God will show you…

Blessings,

Ande

What time is it?

Recently in our Sunday School Class we have been focusing on the life of Joseph. You’ll remember he was a bright and confident young man with a promising future before him. Until … he was despised and sold into slavery by his brothers.

End of story, right? No! In Egypt he rose through the ranks and served Potiphar and was loyal to him – even at great cost. Joseph ended up in prison, so, end of story, right?

No! There, even in prison, he was faithful and true and used the gifts God had given him. He was almost forgotten in prison until he was recognized to be wise and given great responsibility by Pharaoh himself.

This responsibility brought him full circle and face to face with his brothers again. And through all of this God brought reconciliation.

The verse that sums up Joseph’s plight is found in Genesis 50.20:

You intended to harm me, but God intended it all for good. He brought me to this position so I could save the lives of many people. (NLT)

Basically, the story of Joseph is a reminder that God is above all, in all and can work through all. As David once said, Where can I flee from your presence?

I was reminded of a couple of questions asked by William C. Martin in The Art of Pastoring: Contemplative Reflections. I will quote Martin:

There are two questions that need to be answered in order to move along the path toward God. One could spend a lifetime just considering these two questions and answers.

The first question is, What time is it?

The second question is, Where are you?

The only correct answer to the first question is, Now!

The only correct answer to the second is, Here!

So, I wonder, What time is it in your life? Where are you? Remember, God is at work in your life and has big plans for you whether you can see his hand at the moment or not.

Blessings,

Ande

If you have comments, I'd like to hear them: ande.myers@gmail.com.