A few days ago I gave my daughter these instructions as I
left for work, “Do something with the chicken in the refrigerator for supper.” The problem is that my daughter does not
always deal well with such ambiguous instructions. So after work, I decided to pick up something
for supper just in case there was nothing ready to eat when I got home. When I got home she had indeed made something
using the chicken in the icebox. I was
pleased, to say the least. I told my family
I brought home fried chicken. I also
told them again the next day, at LEAST three times. I am not usually a nag so why go through the
bother of repeating it that many times? Well,
I know how easy it is to forget and I wanted them to be sure and eat it before
it spoiled. So I went to the trouble to remind them. I am sure you have done the same thing in
your home, for the same reason. It’s
something you want them to remember. In addition, at a later point, you do NOT want to hear, “I didn’t
know”, and you do NOT want the discussion that will follow. As I was thinking about it, I was reminded of
the things in the Bible that are repeated.
Things like: Do not fear, love your neighbor, love your enemies, God is faithful. I could go on but you get the point. I can’t help but smile as I think about this
because I imagine God repeats himself for the same reason that we do. He’s hoping, like I was, that by the tenth
time that we have read it, it will finally sink in and we will remember that he
loves us; that we don’t have to be afraid; that he will help us. Can’t you imagine God throwing his hands in
the air in joy and saying, “Finally, You remembered!
Now you understand.” I’m learning
to look for things that God repeats because if he repeats it, it’s because it’s
important and he wants me to remember what he has said. By the way, there is one other thing that
Jesus repeated, “I will come again.” I
can’t wait!!!
As I was driving home today, I passed a person walking on the side of the road. Since it was cold, and snowy, I thought I should stop and offer the person a ride. As I drove on by, I was irritated with myself for not stopping. I could have and should have but I didn't. Why? I was scared! Maybe that wouldn't bother you, but I'm willing to bet there are things that make you afraid. It may be snakes or spiders that send the ticker into overdrive. Or maybe it's your job and finances that keep you up at night when you should be resting. Then again perhaps it's relationships that consume your thoughts and energy. As followers of God, we know that we are told not to be afraid. Yet we often are afraid despite everything we know. As I was driving away from a misse...
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