(Monday)
Recently we learned that our new grandbaby will be moving across the country and planting roots just a few miles from our home. We are finding it hard to contain our excitement at having him nearby! Of course, we are also thrilled that he’s bringing his parents with him. The idea of having them so close is wonderful. However, his parents’ daily phone calls to us to discuss the stress of purchasing a new home are a little less exhilarating and a little more exhausting.
As it turns out, purchasing their first home has uncovered some varied opinions on what direction to take. One wants privacy; the other likes close neighbors. One prefers move-in ready; the other would like a fixer-upper. One desires a manicured yard; the other must have natural areas. They agree that neither one nor the other is right or wrong – just different – and yet, those differences are creating some tension.
Fortunately, they are willing to work things out between them. The properties they are considering are well-treed, are in established neighborhoods with a bit of space between homes, and are lovely but perhaps have a project or two worth tackling. Our grandson, at 10 weeks of age, continues to remain silent on the subject. He is truly happy to simply be with his parents listening to their chatter as they surf the internet.
I remember purchasing our first home was an exercise in complete compromise and fully trusting that the other person knew exactly what was best. At least that’s how it felt on my end. I have since learned that Bill has a special gift for visions which are rarely clear to me at first. He could see so much potential in a house that I didn’t want to walk into much less consider raising children there. You couldn’t even see the house for the overgrowth. The carpet had already celebrated its 20th birthday. The kitchen was crowded, and the appliances were… what was that color called? Oh right – autumn gold. At least it matched the countertops. In front of the toilet were swinging saloon doors hung so high that privacy was fictional. The front porch had a crack wide enough that several families of blue-tailed skinks had probably erected condominiums under the concrete. Even the foundation needed extensive repair work. Our parents thought we had lost our minds, but Bill had a plan that was best for us. I tried to be truly happy simply being with Bill and listening to his chatter as he surfed through his dreams.
Paul’s first letter to the people in Corinth encourages a similar happiness. The Corinthians can’t see the vision and aren’t interested in the needed foundational work. Paul explains that they can’t really build on divisiveness because it’s not a proper support system. “No one can lay any other foundation besides the one that is already laid, which is Jesus Christ.”
Paul was echoing the psalmist’s sentiment that even standing in the courtyard of God’s house is better than anything else this world has to offer. Those who live in God’s house are truly happy. Those who put their strength in God are truly happy. Those who trust in God are truly happy! I can almost hear the angels’ voices praising God and singing those happy verses.
Bill was right about our first house. Years later, when we moved away from our home, it was a gorgeous showpiece. His vision and handiwork had created a dream, and my faith in him had been well-placed.
My prayer during this season of Lent is that I offer to Jesus all my trust and obedient following. I know my faith is well-placed for I know God has vision and wonderful plans for my life to be a great showpiece.
Truly happy,
Pastor Beth
PRAYER FROM PSALM 84
Everlasting God, in the beauty of your holiness we worship you. We praise you for your goodness and mercy; and for the way that we can be aware and know your holy presence. In the midst of this day, we pause in our beloved place of prayer and praise. We are not only surrounded by the signs and symbols of your presence, but also of the memories of people, who in the past, have inspired us with their faith and their nurture of us. Those same people have pointed us toward the only way forward for our life’s faith journey. Welcome us in and help us to feel at home with you. Amen.
KEY VERSES FROM TODAY’S SCRIPTURE READINGS
Psalm 84 – How lovely is your dwelling place, Lord of heavenly forces!
1 Kings – He overlaid the whole temple inside with gold until the temple was completely covered. He covered the whole altar that was in the inner sanctuary with gold.
1 Corinthians – No one can lay any other foundation besides the one that is already laid, which is Jesus Christ.
For today’s full scripture readings, click here… https://www.divinestreet.org/lent-scripture.html
Recently we learned that our new grandbaby will be moving across the country and planting roots just a few miles from our home. We are finding it hard to contain our excitement at having him nearby! Of course, we are also thrilled that he’s bringing his parents with him. The idea of having them so close is wonderful. However, his parents’ daily phone calls to us to discuss the stress of purchasing a new home are a little less exhilarating and a little more exhausting.
As it turns out, purchasing their first home has uncovered some varied opinions on what direction to take. One wants privacy; the other likes close neighbors. One prefers move-in ready; the other would like a fixer-upper. One desires a manicured yard; the other must have natural areas. They agree that neither one nor the other is right or wrong – just different – and yet, those differences are creating some tension.
Fortunately, they are willing to work things out between them. The properties they are considering are well-treed, are in established neighborhoods with a bit of space between homes, and are lovely but perhaps have a project or two worth tackling. Our grandson, at 10 weeks of age, continues to remain silent on the subject. He is truly happy to simply be with his parents listening to their chatter as they surf the internet.
I remember purchasing our first home was an exercise in complete compromise and fully trusting that the other person knew exactly what was best. At least that’s how it felt on my end. I have since learned that Bill has a special gift for visions which are rarely clear to me at first. He could see so much potential in a house that I didn’t want to walk into much less consider raising children there. You couldn’t even see the house for the overgrowth. The carpet had already celebrated its 20th birthday. The kitchen was crowded, and the appliances were… what was that color called? Oh right – autumn gold. At least it matched the countertops. In front of the toilet were swinging saloon doors hung so high that privacy was fictional. The front porch had a crack wide enough that several families of blue-tailed skinks had probably erected condominiums under the concrete. Even the foundation needed extensive repair work. Our parents thought we had lost our minds, but Bill had a plan that was best for us. I tried to be truly happy simply being with Bill and listening to his chatter as he surfed through his dreams.
Paul’s first letter to the people in Corinth encourages a similar happiness. The Corinthians can’t see the vision and aren’t interested in the needed foundational work. Paul explains that they can’t really build on divisiveness because it’s not a proper support system. “No one can lay any other foundation besides the one that is already laid, which is Jesus Christ.”
Paul was echoing the psalmist’s sentiment that even standing in the courtyard of God’s house is better than anything else this world has to offer. Those who live in God’s house are truly happy. Those who put their strength in God are truly happy. Those who trust in God are truly happy! I can almost hear the angels’ voices praising God and singing those happy verses.
Bill was right about our first house. Years later, when we moved away from our home, it was a gorgeous showpiece. His vision and handiwork had created a dream, and my faith in him had been well-placed.
My prayer during this season of Lent is that I offer to Jesus all my trust and obedient following. I know my faith is well-placed for I know God has vision and wonderful plans for my life to be a great showpiece.
Truly happy,
Pastor Beth
PRAYER FROM PSALM 84
Everlasting God, in the beauty of your holiness we worship you. We praise you for your goodness and mercy; and for the way that we can be aware and know your holy presence. In the midst of this day, we pause in our beloved place of prayer and praise. We are not only surrounded by the signs and symbols of your presence, but also of the memories of people, who in the past, have inspired us with their faith and their nurture of us. Those same people have pointed us toward the only way forward for our life’s faith journey. Welcome us in and help us to feel at home with you. Amen.
KEY VERSES FROM TODAY’S SCRIPTURE READINGS
Psalm 84 – How lovely is your dwelling place, Lord of heavenly forces!
1 Kings – He overlaid the whole temple inside with gold until the temple was completely covered. He covered the whole altar that was in the inner sanctuary with gold.
1 Corinthians – No one can lay any other foundation besides the one that is already laid, which is Jesus Christ.
For today’s full scripture readings, click here… https://www.divinestreet.org/lent-scripture.html