(Tuesday)
Clara is unhappy. I’ve known her for more than thirty years, and the first three were a lot of fun. We laughed and went places together. We enjoyed the same things and the same friends. We listened to the same music and ate the same foods. We even loved the same sports teams. I’m not sure when things changed or why, but these last twenty-seven years have been different. Clara is unhappy.
I have unhappy moments in life – doesn’t everyone? I have times when I feel sad or angry, and I sometimes feel that life isn’t going my way. I even get grumpy and difficult. Just ask my family; I am certain they will vouch for my occasional grumpiness. Times like that never last very long, though. I usually find a way to vent out my steam and return to a more even temperament. Clara is more like a pressure cooker.
Younger people today aren’t as familiar with the old pressure cooker. My daughter loves her Instant Pot and likely thinks this is an innovative cooking process. I’m pretty sure her sleek device is simply a new take on an old method. Pressure cooking began in the 1600s and has evolved over the years into what today is an electric Instant Pot. I don’t know much about Instant Pots, but I can tell you a bit about pressure cookers.
I remember summer days in my childhood when fresh green beans from the garden were placed into Mom’s special silver pot. It had a lid that locked in place and a funny little wiggle thingy on top that would sing when the food was ready. Mom would carefully maneuver that wiggle thingy to the side and release the built-up steam before opening the cooker to reveal its reward. I also remember the day when that lid didn’t seal correctly and rather than sing, the little wiggle thingy rocketed to the kitchen ceiling with a force that might have mortally wounded us had we been in its path.
A pressure cooker works in two distinct ways. First, it allows the water inside the pot to reach a temperature above boiling which cooks food faster. Second, it creates pressure which forces moisture into the food also cooking faster and making the food more tender. Clara is a pressure cooker. Boiling mad is only the beginning of her heated outlook which rises quickly, and the pressure within her forces a dampness on her inner thoughts and well-being. Unfortunately, Clara’s release valve appears to be a bit faulty, and I’m often concerned that she will hit the ceiling wounding anyone in her path.
These days, a major difference between me and my friend is that there is a major difference between us. I don’t mean to offer a circular premise, but the trouble is just that: circular. Clara is unhappy that she is unhappy. She is also unhappy that I refuse to join in her unhappiness.
Over the years, Clara has often approached me wanting to know why all the bad stuff happens to her and why I get to be so happy. I think if Clara had been paying attention for the past thirty years, she might have noticed that we have one difference that is more distinct than any other. My goal in life is to love Jesus and chat with him as often as possible offering my heart, my praise and my thanksgiving in all things. As far as I know, Clara only talks with God to complain and question.
Don’t misunderstand me. I think God is big enough to handle any communication we offer, but I also believe we are created to worship. We are designed to praise and glorify our Creator. While God is certainly walking right alongside us during our difficult times, those times are not God’s best plans for us.
When Clara questions me, I want to remind her of the hope we have in Jesus. I have certainly tried to do that over the years, but I admit my shortcomings in this area. Clara tends to push my buttons – especially my button labeled “lack of patience.” After thirty years of listening to the bellyaching, I want to yell at her that she’s doing life badly! You are created to honor God with your every breath, Clara. Get your act together!
Peter reminds me that I don’t get to do that. “Always be ready to make your defense to anyone who demands from you an accounting for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and reverence.” Wait… what? Gentleness and reverence?! That’s not the Peter I know, is it? The Peter I know might have challenged Clara to a fight by now. The Peter I read about most often has his own faulty steam valve. How annoying it is that the one person I can usually count on to back me up on my aggressive desire to yell is the one who is holding me to gentleness and reverence!
When Jesus gets into our hearts, even Peter and I are moved to a spirit of calm and respectful patience. With God’s help, I will keep my lid tight and my steam released, until time to receive my own heavenly reward. I will keep talking with Clara about hope and happiness. I may never get to see the change in her, but change isn’t my job. I know the Holy Spirit is at work even when I cannot see; my job is to share the hope. Yes, Peter, I’ll do that with gentleness and reverence.
During this Lenten season, I pray that I may offer the love of Christ to all the Clara’s in my world – with no pressure.
Releasing the steam,
Pastor Beth
PRAYER FROM 1 Peter 3:
Giving God, help us to have unity of spirit, sympathy, love for one another, a tender heart, and a humble mind. With your guidance, may we never repay evil for evil or abuse for abuse; but, on the contrary, let us repay with a blessing. It is for this that we were called—that we might also inherit a blessing. Amen.
KEY VERSES FROM TODAY’S SCRIPTURE READINGS
Psalm 77 – You are the God who works wonders; you have displayed your might among the peoples. With your strong arm you redeemed your people, the descendants of Jacob and Joseph.
Job 5 – As for me, I would seek God, and to God I would commit my cause. He does great things and unsearchable, marvelous things without number.
1 Peter 3 – Those who desire life and desire to see good days, let them keep their tongues from evil and their lips from speaking deceit; let them turn away from evil and do good; let them seek peace and pursue it. For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, and his ears are open to their prayer.
For today’s full scripture readings, click here… https://www.divinestreet.org/lent-scripture.html
*Clara – real person, fictional name.
Clara is unhappy. I’ve known her for more than thirty years, and the first three were a lot of fun. We laughed and went places together. We enjoyed the same things and the same friends. We listened to the same music and ate the same foods. We even loved the same sports teams. I’m not sure when things changed or why, but these last twenty-seven years have been different. Clara is unhappy.
I have unhappy moments in life – doesn’t everyone? I have times when I feel sad or angry, and I sometimes feel that life isn’t going my way. I even get grumpy and difficult. Just ask my family; I am certain they will vouch for my occasional grumpiness. Times like that never last very long, though. I usually find a way to vent out my steam and return to a more even temperament. Clara is more like a pressure cooker.
Younger people today aren’t as familiar with the old pressure cooker. My daughter loves her Instant Pot and likely thinks this is an innovative cooking process. I’m pretty sure her sleek device is simply a new take on an old method. Pressure cooking began in the 1600s and has evolved over the years into what today is an electric Instant Pot. I don’t know much about Instant Pots, but I can tell you a bit about pressure cookers.
I remember summer days in my childhood when fresh green beans from the garden were placed into Mom’s special silver pot. It had a lid that locked in place and a funny little wiggle thingy on top that would sing when the food was ready. Mom would carefully maneuver that wiggle thingy to the side and release the built-up steam before opening the cooker to reveal its reward. I also remember the day when that lid didn’t seal correctly and rather than sing, the little wiggle thingy rocketed to the kitchen ceiling with a force that might have mortally wounded us had we been in its path.
A pressure cooker works in two distinct ways. First, it allows the water inside the pot to reach a temperature above boiling which cooks food faster. Second, it creates pressure which forces moisture into the food also cooking faster and making the food more tender. Clara is a pressure cooker. Boiling mad is only the beginning of her heated outlook which rises quickly, and the pressure within her forces a dampness on her inner thoughts and well-being. Unfortunately, Clara’s release valve appears to be a bit faulty, and I’m often concerned that she will hit the ceiling wounding anyone in her path.
These days, a major difference between me and my friend is that there is a major difference between us. I don’t mean to offer a circular premise, but the trouble is just that: circular. Clara is unhappy that she is unhappy. She is also unhappy that I refuse to join in her unhappiness.
Over the years, Clara has often approached me wanting to know why all the bad stuff happens to her and why I get to be so happy. I think if Clara had been paying attention for the past thirty years, she might have noticed that we have one difference that is more distinct than any other. My goal in life is to love Jesus and chat with him as often as possible offering my heart, my praise and my thanksgiving in all things. As far as I know, Clara only talks with God to complain and question.
Don’t misunderstand me. I think God is big enough to handle any communication we offer, but I also believe we are created to worship. We are designed to praise and glorify our Creator. While God is certainly walking right alongside us during our difficult times, those times are not God’s best plans for us.
When Clara questions me, I want to remind her of the hope we have in Jesus. I have certainly tried to do that over the years, but I admit my shortcomings in this area. Clara tends to push my buttons – especially my button labeled “lack of patience.” After thirty years of listening to the bellyaching, I want to yell at her that she’s doing life badly! You are created to honor God with your every breath, Clara. Get your act together!
Peter reminds me that I don’t get to do that. “Always be ready to make your defense to anyone who demands from you an accounting for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and reverence.” Wait… what? Gentleness and reverence?! That’s not the Peter I know, is it? The Peter I know might have challenged Clara to a fight by now. The Peter I read about most often has his own faulty steam valve. How annoying it is that the one person I can usually count on to back me up on my aggressive desire to yell is the one who is holding me to gentleness and reverence!
When Jesus gets into our hearts, even Peter and I are moved to a spirit of calm and respectful patience. With God’s help, I will keep my lid tight and my steam released, until time to receive my own heavenly reward. I will keep talking with Clara about hope and happiness. I may never get to see the change in her, but change isn’t my job. I know the Holy Spirit is at work even when I cannot see; my job is to share the hope. Yes, Peter, I’ll do that with gentleness and reverence.
During this Lenten season, I pray that I may offer the love of Christ to all the Clara’s in my world – with no pressure.
Releasing the steam,
Pastor Beth
PRAYER FROM 1 Peter 3:
Giving God, help us to have unity of spirit, sympathy, love for one another, a tender heart, and a humble mind. With your guidance, may we never repay evil for evil or abuse for abuse; but, on the contrary, let us repay with a blessing. It is for this that we were called—that we might also inherit a blessing. Amen.
KEY VERSES FROM TODAY’S SCRIPTURE READINGS
Psalm 77 – You are the God who works wonders; you have displayed your might among the peoples. With your strong arm you redeemed your people, the descendants of Jacob and Joseph.
Job 5 – As for me, I would seek God, and to God I would commit my cause. He does great things and unsearchable, marvelous things without number.
1 Peter 3 – Those who desire life and desire to see good days, let them keep their tongues from evil and their lips from speaking deceit; let them turn away from evil and do good; let them seek peace and pursue it. For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, and his ears are open to their prayer.
For today’s full scripture readings, click here… https://www.divinestreet.org/lent-scripture.html
*Clara – real person, fictional name.