In Fiddler on the Roof, Tevye asks his wife, Golde, in the midst of political strife, family stresses and ongoing poverty “do you love me?” Do you love me? Exasperated, Golde lists the things she has done for him over the years “For 25 years I’ve washed your clothes, cooked your meals, cleaned your house, given you children, milked the cow, and you ask me, do I love you?” Golde is just trying to get through the day, with little money, a daughter getting married and a forced exile on her mind, she doesn’t have time for questions like these.
In today’s Gospel, Simon Peter and Jesus are having a similar exchange. Jesus has just revealed himself to his disciples 3 times after the resurrection and Peter has just completed a night of hard fishing, which ended with Jesus telling the men to cast the net on the other side of the boat. Do you love me? (Set scene of Peter’s betrayal) Peter’s guilt filled, hungry heart probably doesn’t have the strength for such questions. But to be asked 3 times? Does Jesus doubt the love of Peter? Was this betrayal the beginning of the end for the friends?
“Before the cock crows, you will deny me three times.” “If you love me, than feed my sheep.” “You are Peter, and on this rock, I will build my church.” These are all words from Christ to his disciple Peter, a disciple who betrays, but whom Christ loves. Peter is the broken rock upon which Christ builds His church. A disciple who denied Christ is now being told to “feed my sheep.” Our friend Peter is broken, and needs to be fed himself…how is he to feed God’s sheep when he is so hungry? Jesus uses the strength of the broken to build his church while at the same time, God strengthens the broken using the church. Peter both betrays and loves, and God both forgives and builds. God isn’t choosing Peter as the rock of His church because he is the most qualified, most loyal of disciples, he chooses Peter, the broken rock, out of grace and love.
Peter is asking Jesus “I haven’t even been feed yet, how am I supposed to feed others?” The answer for Peter, as it is for us is this: We are can only be feed when we feed others. By being the rock in our broken world, and showing Jesus’ redeeming, saving love, our rock, our faith is strengthened.
I ask you, when have you been called by God to feed His sheep? When have you been God’s sheep being fed? Because, in our modern world, just as in the time of Peter, God will use the brokenness of this world to create community. Perhaps the following is a bit unconventional for a sermon, but as I read, I ask you to reflect on ways that you have seen God at work in your broken world. How, you, like Peter, have seen God using the strength of the broken to build his church while at the same time strengthening the broken using his church.
The care center driver, Tesfeye, directed us to a large white van in the deserted, dimly lit parking lot at Bole International Airport in Addis Ababa. “you’re Betty’s parents! Welcome! If there is anything you need, please ask. You’re family” Shocked to be called “family” and confused because our baby’s birthmother had given her the name, “Bethlehem” we quickly learned that “Betty” is a nickname and warm hospitality is one of Ethiopia’s defining characteristics. Though it was only 3:30 in the morning, the quiety whispers of life surrounded us as we drove the dimly lit, unpaved roads of Addis toward the care center. A mass of women passed by, carrying giant water basins on their heads. Embers glowed under pots of oatmeal, as families prepared their morning meals and redied themselves to walk unimaginable distances to find work, water and wood. Inside the van, I felt the whispers of life about to burst. After thrity hours in a plane, we knew we were in the final stages of labor. In seven ours, our daughter would be placed in our arms and the birth pangs would cease.
“Be very quiet” requested Tesfeye. “The babies sleep on the second floor.” We entered the 3 story stucco building where our baby resided the past 2 months. Dim lights flickered as a couple of months danced around. “Over there is Betty’s room.” After 6 hours of hazy sleep, the sun and the sounds of the city woke us. “Betty! Yes, here!” Several nannies began to speak quickly, smiling and giggling. Three month old Bethlehem lay on a changing table, giggling as the nanny readied her.
Though we were not in Addis when Bethlehem’s birth mother surrendered her, we watched as mothers and grandmothers brought in children of all ages. We generally tried making ourselves scarce, though one time, as I sat with my baby and another new mother, we watched two women knock on the center’s outside gate. When they entered, three children held hands and walked up the granite stairs past us. After several minutes, the women returned, alone. They looked us in the eyes, and then glanced down at our babies. Babies of their homeland. They smiled solemnly. No one spoke; the words would not have been understood. But the whispers of life spoke for us. All in the same instant, grief ensues and hope abounds. Their greatest sorrow resulted in our greatest joy. Peter’s greatest sorrow, the rejection and crucifixion of our Lord, results in his greatest joy—forgiveness and redemption. “Do you love me?” Asks Jesus. And Peter feeds his sheep.
Months after returning home, I baptized our daughter Shahra Bethlehem. Baptism the is adoption of a child into the Christian family and the waters of baptism evoke spiritually the waters of holy birth. As I thrice poured the water onto my baby’s head, I knew we were forever connected to Sharha’s birthmother through the holy words “you have been sealed by the Holy Spirit and marked by the cross of Christ forever.”
It is through us, in our broken, yet redeemed world, that God builds His church. As Jesus asked Peter “do you love me” He to asks our world “do you love me.” Our world needs this love, and we can be assured that we, in the midst of broken rocks, Christ will build His church, build you up and show His love daily.
Sunday, June 29, 2008
Tuesday, June 24, 2008
Prayers request for another adoptive family.
I wanted to ask you for prayers for one of my ET forum friends. A woman shared with the group today that her baby girl *M* died in Ethiopia. The baby was in a hospital in Addis. She didn't share details, but between poverty, illness, and chronic malnutrition, death could be caused by one of a myriad of things. The baby was less than a year old. This isn't the first little one of Shahra (and Samuel's) ET "care center siblings" who has died...there are at least 3-4 that I KNOW of who died in the past 18 months AFTER they were matched with families. Honestly, I'm not in a state of worry for Samuel, he is healthy, has a good weight, and got into care young, so, while my mind IS on him, I'm not newly WORRIED about him.
When malnutrition sets in, a child's immune system is compromised. So, even if they get food, they risk getting sick, losing weight and having an even lower immunity....the cycle continues. Even when they get to the ET care center, some babies are just too weak and can't be saved. This leads to 1 in 5 ET children dying before their 1st birthday. What brings me to tears every time I hear of one of my children's family has died is the injustice--it's a reminder that when it comes to ET adoption, it really IS life or death. This isn't a "nice thing to do" or "a nice little way to grow a family" This is life and death. If the care center wasn't in ET, these kids would die...not all of them, but many would face death. It is a stark reminder for me that as I wait for Jeff to cook me supper, there are so many little ones who have nothing. I feel at a loss, we have so much, and so many kids have nothing. It is all so unequal...I see the NICU at St. V's, with 70 incubators, grateful they are there. But, I can't help think of the injustice of our society as it says, time and time again, that MY CHILD, and MY CHILD's fellow ET brothers and sisters do not get or deserve this kind of care. And society's reason? They were born in a beautiful, proud, yet poor land. This is the point when anger sets in. This little precious girl, a child of my daughter and son's homeland, doesn't get to come home.
Please pray for this family, and all the little ET children in need of basic food, and water. But please know, ALL these children are SO loved. Even as I write this, I know the nannies at the care center are in grief over this loss. They are with the children, round the clock and always stay with the babies at the hospital. No child dies alone. And, while they live, they enjoy the best care, songs, and attention anyone could want. Pray that the world will continue to find new ways to feed more kids, so that one day, there will be no more children dying. Pray for Samuel and *T* that they continue to remain healthy. Pray that we will realize all we have and be open to giving to those in need.
Peace Tracy
When malnutrition sets in, a child's immune system is compromised. So, even if they get food, they risk getting sick, losing weight and having an even lower immunity....the cycle continues. Even when they get to the ET care center, some babies are just too weak and can't be saved. This leads to 1 in 5 ET children dying before their 1st birthday. What brings me to tears every time I hear of one of my children's family has died is the injustice--it's a reminder that when it comes to ET adoption, it really IS life or death. This isn't a "nice thing to do" or "a nice little way to grow a family" This is life and death. If the care center wasn't in ET, these kids would die...not all of them, but many would face death. It is a stark reminder for me that as I wait for Jeff to cook me supper, there are so many little ones who have nothing. I feel at a loss, we have so much, and so many kids have nothing. It is all so unequal...I see the NICU at St. V's, with 70 incubators, grateful they are there. But, I can't help think of the injustice of our society as it says, time and time again, that MY CHILD, and MY CHILD's fellow ET brothers and sisters do not get or deserve this kind of care. And society's reason? They were born in a beautiful, proud, yet poor land. This is the point when anger sets in. This little precious girl, a child of my daughter and son's homeland, doesn't get to come home.
Please pray for this family, and all the little ET children in need of basic food, and water. But please know, ALL these children are SO loved. Even as I write this, I know the nannies at the care center are in grief over this loss. They are with the children, round the clock and always stay with the babies at the hospital. No child dies alone. And, while they live, they enjoy the best care, songs, and attention anyone could want. Pray that the world will continue to find new ways to feed more kids, so that one day, there will be no more children dying. Pray for Samuel and *T* that they continue to remain healthy. Pray that we will realize all we have and be open to giving to those in need.
Peace Tracy
Saturday, June 21, 2008
Baby Samuel Peter Sitota!!!
We are proud to announce we received a referral for baby Samuel Peter Sitota, born May 26, 2008 in Ethiopia. Samuel was 5.5 lbs and 19 inches when he came into care. We received the call over dinner and we were all together to get the news! We chose the name Samuel after it came to me (Tracy) in a dream. Sitota is Samuel's birth name, and Peter is the name of Tracy's favorite icon (Peter Jennings) and the name of my paternal grandfather.
Shahra was very excited to hear she has a baby brother, and can't wait to meet him. We hope to travel in the fall (sept-nov??) and are grateful that he is in good hands at the Children's Home Society care center. Due to ET regulations, we can't publish pictures of Samuel until we go through Court (sometime between July and Sept). Instead, I decided to post pictures of things that remind me of the beauty of our world, including sunsets after thunder storms, pictures of Ethiopia and the family. Enjoy! If you want a hard copy picture of Samuel, send me your address, and we'd be happy to share it with you.
Tracy, Jeff and Shahra
Silly Shahra!!!
Our sweet little girl has been keeping us busy this summer. Thus far, we have worked on using the potty and moving into a "big girl bed." It is an ELMO bed, which excites her to no end (in fact, I believe ELMO would be her first 'graven image' :) We also got back from a recent trip to Cancun, where we spent 5 days on the beach, playing in the water and enjoying some much needed time off. Jeffwill be writing about this trip very soon and there will be pictures.
Today, I wanted to include a couple of "Shahra mischief" pictures for you to enjoy. About a week ago, (after shahra moved to her big girl bed) I went to check on her. It was about 10:45. i opened the door and noticed the light was on. Sweet little Shahra had found a tube of balmex (diaper cream) and put it all over herself and her dolls. I tried to be upset, but it was too funny! Here are the pics!
Sermon June 8
How many of you remember Ed McMahan and Publisher’s Clearing House Sweepstakes? Every January, families across the US would wait with anticipation for a large manila package to come in the mail, with the words “You may have already won a million dollars.” To find out if you already won, all you had to do was fill out an entry form that was about 15 pages long and send it back…waiting with anticipation to find out if Ed McMahan would show up on your door step with a bouquet of balloons and a huge check…no literally a HUGE, 4 foot long check with your name on it. We saw on TV as average Americans opened the door, screamed and accepted their prize. They would say things like “it’s a miracle!” The theme song even ended the commercial “miracles can happen, they can happen to you…Publisher’s Clearing House, the house where dreams come true.” A miracle in the form of a big check. And who can blame them? I think many of us are “looking for a miracle.” And if that miracle came in the form of Ed and a million dollars, we wouldn’t balk, would we?
Unfortunately, these worldly miracles don’t always turn out well. Financial analyst Robert Thompson, who works with instant millionaires says, "The rule of thumb we use is sudden wealth will ruin people in three to five years. At the end of five years, the money's going to be gone or the human being is going to be gone. They either lose their money or themselves or both." But what if we were lookin’ for another kind of miracle? Not the kind that comes in the form of Ed or a giant check. Instead, what if Jesus provided us with a personal miracle, the kind we read about in the Bible. That would be worth waiting for, wouldn’t it?
In our Gospel today, we hear that Jesus heals the daughter of a synagogue leader as well as a poor woman, who was afflicted for 12 years with a bleeding disease. These are the kind of miracles we’re lookin’ for aren’t they? The kind that heal our bodies and spirits, with just a prayer…. More than one of us is asking “why can’t we be healed like the child, or the woman?” We do live in the age of miracles, an age when doctors can perform surgery to heal a broken body. That’s a miracle. An age when antibiotics can heal diseases that only 75 years ago would have killed. That’s a miracle. An age …where our savior heals rich and poor, saint and sinner, young and old alike. That’s a miracle. An age when Christ has risen…In fact, I think, instead of “lookin’ for a miracle” we are “living IN a miracle.” Amen? We’re “living IN a miracle.”
Because Jesus’ miracle of healing a bleeding woman and a broken child extend well beyond the two main players in our Gospel. By healing a young girl, Jesus showed that culture and our culture that even the youngest, even the weakest members would be made whole through Him. Children were not seen as worthy of a rabbi’s time in Jesus’ culture. It was radical that he would take time to go to a child, and provide a healing touch. The miracle wasn’t just for the girl and her family, the miracle was for all in the community, we are ALL invited to live IN a miracle.
Let’s look at the healing of the woman as well. In biblical times, people were very clear about keeping “clean” and “unclean” separate. The synagogue was clean…nothing unclean could be near it or a part of it. Blood was considered very unclean, and a woman who was bleeding would have been seen as unclean, and all who touched her would be unclean. Because of her illness, she would not have been able to worship with the community. She was an outcast. But, Jesus, a rabbi, one who was holy, not only touched the unclean, his touch HEALED the unclean, making her whole. This was a sign to all that Jesus could make anything and anyone in the community clean, and restored. We’re no longer lookin’ for a miracle, we’re living IN a miracle.
Jesus tore down the barriers of “clean and unclean” for each of us too. Through His death, and His blood, He washed the world clean, wiping away all barriers of clean and unclean, saint and sinner. Ironic isn’t it? It was through HIS BLOOD, and HIS DEATH, two of the most “unclean” things on earth that Jesus was able to cleanse everyone of us. Certainly, this is what we find when we’re lookin’ for a miracle.
But what about us, here and now, today in Muncie IN? Maybe you don’t feel like you’re living IN a miracle. Maybe you’re thinking “We may have some miracles, but Jesus isn’t here to touch, and to make us, whole, is He? And all these miracles, penicillin won’t cure inoperable cancer, one touch won’t heal a broken relationship, and faith alone won’t rebuild a storm damaged home. You’re right. I can’t promise you the individual miracle you’re praying for, and I can’t say Jesus will restore all you have hoped for in one day.
But, I can promise you this. This community of believers, and believers all around the world DO have the power to heal and to transform. The Holy Spirit is in each and every one of us, and with one touch, one gesture, we too can break down “clean” and “unclean.” We can perform a miracle through our actions as we, like Jesus, care for the weakest, the sickest, the most outcast in our society. Through Christ, we can show the love to the hurting--and that has the power to heal, doesn’t it? God has given you the power to heal, to show the world the miracle of love. You may not be able to physically heal a fellow brother or sister, but your touch can allow emotional and spiritual healing to flow in powerful ways. Our community, and our church ARE a living, breathing miracle. People of differing backgrounds, gifts, and talents coming together to worship a God we have never seen, living in the hope that our wrongs will be righted through the death of a 1st century Jew? Members of HTLC, coming together, to worship, to seek forgiveness, to go into the world and heal?
And even though we will still continue to look FOR a miracle, even through we’ll doubt and try to do things “our way” we have hope, and can take comfort knowing that Christ’s saving blood will keep washing us clean, bringing us into community with other believers and reminding us daily of the miracle of salvation given to each of us. I can’t think of a more profound example of living IN a miracle than that.
Unfortunately, these worldly miracles don’t always turn out well. Financial analyst Robert Thompson, who works with instant millionaires says, "The rule of thumb we use is sudden wealth will ruin people in three to five years. At the end of five years, the money's going to be gone or the human being is going to be gone. They either lose their money or themselves or both." But what if we were lookin’ for another kind of miracle? Not the kind that comes in the form of Ed or a giant check. Instead, what if Jesus provided us with a personal miracle, the kind we read about in the Bible. That would be worth waiting for, wouldn’t it?
In our Gospel today, we hear that Jesus heals the daughter of a synagogue leader as well as a poor woman, who was afflicted for 12 years with a bleeding disease. These are the kind of miracles we’re lookin’ for aren’t they? The kind that heal our bodies and spirits, with just a prayer…. More than one of us is asking “why can’t we be healed like the child, or the woman?” We do live in the age of miracles, an age when doctors can perform surgery to heal a broken body. That’s a miracle. An age when antibiotics can heal diseases that only 75 years ago would have killed. That’s a miracle. An age …where our savior heals rich and poor, saint and sinner, young and old alike. That’s a miracle. An age when Christ has risen…In fact, I think, instead of “lookin’ for a miracle” we are “living IN a miracle.” Amen? We’re “living IN a miracle.”
Because Jesus’ miracle of healing a bleeding woman and a broken child extend well beyond the two main players in our Gospel. By healing a young girl, Jesus showed that culture and our culture that even the youngest, even the weakest members would be made whole through Him. Children were not seen as worthy of a rabbi’s time in Jesus’ culture. It was radical that he would take time to go to a child, and provide a healing touch. The miracle wasn’t just for the girl and her family, the miracle was for all in the community, we are ALL invited to live IN a miracle.
Let’s look at the healing of the woman as well. In biblical times, people were very clear about keeping “clean” and “unclean” separate. The synagogue was clean…nothing unclean could be near it or a part of it. Blood was considered very unclean, and a woman who was bleeding would have been seen as unclean, and all who touched her would be unclean. Because of her illness, she would not have been able to worship with the community. She was an outcast. But, Jesus, a rabbi, one who was holy, not only touched the unclean, his touch HEALED the unclean, making her whole. This was a sign to all that Jesus could make anything and anyone in the community clean, and restored. We’re no longer lookin’ for a miracle, we’re living IN a miracle.
Jesus tore down the barriers of “clean and unclean” for each of us too. Through His death, and His blood, He washed the world clean, wiping away all barriers of clean and unclean, saint and sinner. Ironic isn’t it? It was through HIS BLOOD, and HIS DEATH, two of the most “unclean” things on earth that Jesus was able to cleanse everyone of us. Certainly, this is what we find when we’re lookin’ for a miracle.
But what about us, here and now, today in Muncie IN? Maybe you don’t feel like you’re living IN a miracle. Maybe you’re thinking “We may have some miracles, but Jesus isn’t here to touch, and to make us, whole, is He? And all these miracles, penicillin won’t cure inoperable cancer, one touch won’t heal a broken relationship, and faith alone won’t rebuild a storm damaged home. You’re right. I can’t promise you the individual miracle you’re praying for, and I can’t say Jesus will restore all you have hoped for in one day.
But, I can promise you this. This community of believers, and believers all around the world DO have the power to heal and to transform. The Holy Spirit is in each and every one of us, and with one touch, one gesture, we too can break down “clean” and “unclean.” We can perform a miracle through our actions as we, like Jesus, care for the weakest, the sickest, the most outcast in our society. Through Christ, we can show the love to the hurting--and that has the power to heal, doesn’t it? God has given you the power to heal, to show the world the miracle of love. You may not be able to physically heal a fellow brother or sister, but your touch can allow emotional and spiritual healing to flow in powerful ways. Our community, and our church ARE a living, breathing miracle. People of differing backgrounds, gifts, and talents coming together to worship a God we have never seen, living in the hope that our wrongs will be righted through the death of a 1st century Jew? Members of HTLC, coming together, to worship, to seek forgiveness, to go into the world and heal?
And even though we will still continue to look FOR a miracle, even through we’ll doubt and try to do things “our way” we have hope, and can take comfort knowing that Christ’s saving blood will keep washing us clean, bringing us into community with other believers and reminding us daily of the miracle of salvation given to each of us. I can’t think of a more profound example of living IN a miracle than that.
Sermon May 25
Ok, so this is a bit late, but we've been pretty busy around here! Enjoy!
I have to be honest with you all. It feels hypocritical for me to preach today’s Gospel. How am I to stand before you and tell you all “Let today’s troubles be sufficient for today?” I have ALWAYS struggled with this in my own life. I worry, all the time. As a kid, I worried that I would miss the bus. In middle school I worried that my clothes weren’t cute enough or that I would say the wrong thing. In college, I worried about finding the right job that made enough money, being lonely, and if I had a high enough GPA. Today’s worries have never been sufficient for today. This is my demon…it can lead to sleepless nights, anxiety… am I alone in this? Does anyone else cling to worry? At times, I have been completely bound by worry, chained up by its power, unable to break myself free.
As I read this week’s Gospel, I feel like I have had this conversation with God on many occasions…probably daily, as God asks me “can any of you by worrying add a single hour to your life?” We know that the answer is “no” don’t we? But, somehow, it’s impossible to let them go. Perhaps we feel a sense of power holding on, thinking “I’m in control.” I don’t believe our Gospel was written to trivialize our problems. Our concerns are very real, and they matter. They matter to us, they matter to God, and they have the power to radically change our lives. Is the job secure? Is the diagnosis bad? Is my family going to be here for me? We aren’t told to flippantly move forward, forgetting every trouble and care. Instead, these verses are to be freeing for us. It’s as if God has the key to release us, but we can’t let Him. These worries and fears about the world can enslave us; act as a chain around our legs, causing us to become unable to move forward. It’s self imposed slavery to the bondage of the world.
When we hold onto these worries and fears, we may think that we have power or control over them. Sometimes, it’s even an adrenaline rush…I’ve found myself worrying about something, thinking about it, then “poof”! I find an answer…or so I think. My solution may satisfy me for a while, it may “fix” this problem, but it doesn’t get to the root of the issue.
I want to keep the control for myself, and the thought of turning my problem over to God, or trusting that He’ll be with me in this trial terrifies me. Anyone else ever been there? I ask myself, “what if” What if this problem is too big for God? What if I fail? What if….I were to stop, read these verses of love given to me by God, and trust that He loves me, will be with me, and will never leave me? It’s scary, because it feels as if I’m losing control. And I am. But, let me ask you this, what if we trusted, and listened to the voice of God? What if we were still? Maybe, just maybe, that chain around our leg could be cut away, and we could be freed from the self imposed bondage of this earth. Our Gospel tells us, no one can serve two masters. God is inviting us to be free. We could be free to serve one master, rather than struggling to serve two masters—our personal god, which will never fulfill us, and our communal, saving GOD who redeems us. Free to feel peace in our hearts, to know that all we need, God’s hand WILL provide.
I want to be clear—I’m not suggesting our problems will just disappear when we trust in God. The job may not be secure, the diagnosis may be bad, and we may feel abandoned by those around us. But, as we invite God to release us from the bondage of worry, we can be reassured that God’s hand is with us, guiding us, holding us up when we feel broken down.
Even with this knowledge, I will continue to struggle and worry. I’ll try to find my own way, to look to the earthly answers, answers that always fail me. But, God has given me a gift, and has given you a gift. The gift of community, the Holy Spirit, living, breathing, and acting in each of us. Supporting one another, in our worries and fears. We can all take comfort in knowing that a community of believers are with us, praying for us, living life with us. Yes, the fears don’t vanish. But, we don’t have to fear that we’re doing this alone. Christ will be with each of us. The shackles of sin have been removed from our legs through His death and resurrection. And He’ll continue to remove the shackles, every day, even as we put them back on our legs, over and over again. For His power, the power of forgiveness is one thing greater than any worry, any sorrow, or any power we have in the world.
I have to be honest with you all. It feels hypocritical for me to preach today’s Gospel. How am I to stand before you and tell you all “Let today’s troubles be sufficient for today?” I have ALWAYS struggled with this in my own life. I worry, all the time. As a kid, I worried that I would miss the bus. In middle school I worried that my clothes weren’t cute enough or that I would say the wrong thing. In college, I worried about finding the right job that made enough money, being lonely, and if I had a high enough GPA. Today’s worries have never been sufficient for today. This is my demon…it can lead to sleepless nights, anxiety… am I alone in this? Does anyone else cling to worry? At times, I have been completely bound by worry, chained up by its power, unable to break myself free.
As I read this week’s Gospel, I feel like I have had this conversation with God on many occasions…probably daily, as God asks me “can any of you by worrying add a single hour to your life?” We know that the answer is “no” don’t we? But, somehow, it’s impossible to let them go. Perhaps we feel a sense of power holding on, thinking “I’m in control.” I don’t believe our Gospel was written to trivialize our problems. Our concerns are very real, and they matter. They matter to us, they matter to God, and they have the power to radically change our lives. Is the job secure? Is the diagnosis bad? Is my family going to be here for me? We aren’t told to flippantly move forward, forgetting every trouble and care. Instead, these verses are to be freeing for us. It’s as if God has the key to release us, but we can’t let Him. These worries and fears about the world can enslave us; act as a chain around our legs, causing us to become unable to move forward. It’s self imposed slavery to the bondage of the world.
When we hold onto these worries and fears, we may think that we have power or control over them. Sometimes, it’s even an adrenaline rush…I’ve found myself worrying about something, thinking about it, then “poof”! I find an answer…or so I think. My solution may satisfy me for a while, it may “fix” this problem, but it doesn’t get to the root of the issue.
I want to keep the control for myself, and the thought of turning my problem over to God, or trusting that He’ll be with me in this trial terrifies me. Anyone else ever been there? I ask myself, “what if” What if this problem is too big for God? What if I fail? What if….I were to stop, read these verses of love given to me by God, and trust that He loves me, will be with me, and will never leave me? It’s scary, because it feels as if I’m losing control. And I am. But, let me ask you this, what if we trusted, and listened to the voice of God? What if we were still? Maybe, just maybe, that chain around our leg could be cut away, and we could be freed from the self imposed bondage of this earth. Our Gospel tells us, no one can serve two masters. God is inviting us to be free. We could be free to serve one master, rather than struggling to serve two masters—our personal god, which will never fulfill us, and our communal, saving GOD who redeems us. Free to feel peace in our hearts, to know that all we need, God’s hand WILL provide.
I want to be clear—I’m not suggesting our problems will just disappear when we trust in God. The job may not be secure, the diagnosis may be bad, and we may feel abandoned by those around us. But, as we invite God to release us from the bondage of worry, we can be reassured that God’s hand is with us, guiding us, holding us up when we feel broken down.
Even with this knowledge, I will continue to struggle and worry. I’ll try to find my own way, to look to the earthly answers, answers that always fail me. But, God has given me a gift, and has given you a gift. The gift of community, the Holy Spirit, living, breathing, and acting in each of us. Supporting one another, in our worries and fears. We can all take comfort in knowing that a community of believers are with us, praying for us, living life with us. Yes, the fears don’t vanish. But, we don’t have to fear that we’re doing this alone. Christ will be with each of us. The shackles of sin have been removed from our legs through His death and resurrection. And He’ll continue to remove the shackles, every day, even as we put them back on our legs, over and over again. For His power, the power of forgiveness is one thing greater than any worry, any sorrow, or any power we have in the world.
Tuesday, June 3, 2008
So much to post...(political by Tracy)
Wow. What a week. We had a wonderful vacation with family, we're on the verge of a referral for a baby boy (this month, maybe this week). I'll post more on the above very soon, with pictures.
Tonight, I've watched history made as Obama gets the Democratic nomination. I'm so hopeful for our future and so proud that I can tell my kids about this day. To see both Obama and Clinton get people involved in politics for the first time. This is one of the most exciting times in our country's history.
I'm under no illusion that this day fixes all our problems, breaks away racism or completely fulfills Dr. King's Dream. But it sure brings us closer to that dream. I used to go to the polls with my dad when he voted. He let me go into the booth, and watch him vote. He talked about politics, history and why it was important to vote. I couldn't wait to turn 18 and have this privilege. I believe voting is the great equalizer in our country...it's the biggest way one can have their voice heard. I saw the movie "Iron Clad Angels" which depicted the Women's suffrage fight in the 1910s. The main character was handing out pamphlets attempting to get factory workers to come to a rally. One worker said "I can't miss work, I'd lose my job." The main character talked about the Triangle factory fire, which killed over 100 workers in NYC. She said "that fire killed workers because there were no fire escapes. Do you want a fire escape?" The worker nodded. "Well, a VOTE is a fire escape." And that's what it's all about. A vote is a fire escape, a vote is a voice, a vote is a change. Yes we can.
What was most amazing about this race is that everyone had a voice, and over 35 million people voted in the primary. In some states, more people voted in this primary than did in 2004. Yes, I'm excited that Obama won, but I'm more excited that more young people and previously uninterested people became involved in the process. It's historic, not only for Obama's nod, but historic to see people interested, and while still not completely united, involved.
What a night, what a time to be alive and watch history over the past months. Maybe we'll see some positive change.
Tonight, I've watched history made as Obama gets the Democratic nomination. I'm so hopeful for our future and so proud that I can tell my kids about this day. To see both Obama and Clinton get people involved in politics for the first time. This is one of the most exciting times in our country's history.
I'm under no illusion that this day fixes all our problems, breaks away racism or completely fulfills Dr. King's Dream. But it sure brings us closer to that dream. I used to go to the polls with my dad when he voted. He let me go into the booth, and watch him vote. He talked about politics, history and why it was important to vote. I couldn't wait to turn 18 and have this privilege. I believe voting is the great equalizer in our country...it's the biggest way one can have their voice heard. I saw the movie "Iron Clad Angels" which depicted the Women's suffrage fight in the 1910s. The main character was handing out pamphlets attempting to get factory workers to come to a rally. One worker said "I can't miss work, I'd lose my job." The main character talked about the Triangle factory fire, which killed over 100 workers in NYC. She said "that fire killed workers because there were no fire escapes. Do you want a fire escape?" The worker nodded. "Well, a VOTE is a fire escape." And that's what it's all about. A vote is a fire escape, a vote is a voice, a vote is a change. Yes we can.
What was most amazing about this race is that everyone had a voice, and over 35 million people voted in the primary. In some states, more people voted in this primary than did in 2004. Yes, I'm excited that Obama won, but I'm more excited that more young people and previously uninterested people became involved in the process. It's historic, not only for Obama's nod, but historic to see people interested, and while still not completely united, involved.
What a night, what a time to be alive and watch history over the past months. Maybe we'll see some positive change.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
