February is here. This month tells us we are still in winter, but one month closer to spring; and here in St. Louis, one month closer to baseball! February is a good month in itself; not least of which is the Valentine chocolate that goes on sale after the 14th! Many times we fail to enjoy the season were in because we are looking forward to the one that is coming. Neil Silverberg says “Don’t let the church you’re wanting keep you from enjoying the church you have.” Amen to that. Let’s enjoy the season we are in now, both in our lives and in the church.
Speaking of being thankful, I was heading to work in my car when I noticed a homeless man sitting on the sidewalk looking up to heaven but not in a thankful way. He sat on the sidewalk his back up against the building and with his two hands raised in the air. They were both extended giving God that sign I get a lot when driving to work from other drivers. It’s that sign that says you’re number one, but the person will use a different finger extended. Even if the man hadn’t been using such an obscene gesture toward his creator, his face would have told the whole story. His face as he looked up to heaven was filled with rage as he yelled obscenities toward God. The light turned green and I had to go, and there was nowhere to pull over, so I began to pray for him from my car. I began to cry out for mercy for him looking up into my review mirror, as I thought for sure I would see a lightning bolt from the heavens take him out. I saw only a broken man still sitting there yelling at God with both of his hands extended in hate. I knew he was blaming God for his struggles, for his pain, for his broken life. I too have done the same in my life, not like him, but still I have been guilty of shifting the blame to my creator rather than looking in the mirror. Like the man sitting on the sidewalk, I didn’t receive a lightning bolt of judgment coming down upon me, rather I too was given love. You see as I looked back in my review mirror I saw in the spirit God’s hands extended as well. But unlike the man on the street, God’s hands were extended with love, his hands were extended to lift that man up into his arms and embrace him with love. You see God had already extended his hands to embrace all of us; he did it at the cross. When he allowed a Roman soldier to nail both his hands to that cross, he was extending his hands in love to all of us. Our trouble is when we blame God for our problems and turn bitter because of what we are going through. At those times we are like a child rolling on the ground in anger throwing a temper tantrum that blinds us to our father’s hands extended towards us to bring healing and love. As I turned to get on the highway I continued to pray for my new friend who I hoped I would see again and perhaps have an opportunity to embrace him myself to let him know his creator loves him and gave his life for him. How about after you read this newsletter, you take a few minutes to extend your hands in praise and allow your father to embrace you with his love? You will be blessed, I assure you.
Embracing my father’s hug,