The Forecaster

I woke up very early this morning knowing Jim was going to leave for an out-of-state meeting and I wanted to kiss him goodbye.  When I looked out of the window, the sky was covered with gray white clouds which was an improvement over the fast moving black clouds we had yesterday afternoon with thunder and lightning cracking all around our house until our lights blew and the telephone stopped working (so sorry to all our afternoon telemarketers).  But now the morning sky gave no indication of what today's weather would be, so as soon as Jim was out the door I turned the TV on to see what the weatherman had to say.

The news was all good!  After days and days of rain and violent late afternoon storms the forecast promised sun, low humidity, moderate pollen counts, and perfect temperatures.  I hoped with all my heart that the weatherman was right this time, but I'm sure you understand why I might be a tiny bit leery of  his confident prediction.  How is it that weather people can have the most up-to-date meteorological equipment, forecast the weather with a fairly high degree of inaccuracy and go on the air the next day standing assuredly with a new weather map as though their past missteps never happened--no embarrassment, no shame, no apologies?

Then I began to think--how is that any different from me and my life?  I make plans and predictions to follow God and live a life of faith and then I suddenly veer off and my good intentions and resolutions are cast aside.  In God's Word, the apostle Paul describes this by saying, " For I do not do the good I want to do, but the evil I do not want to do—this I keep on doing."  But later Paul gives hope when he writes,  "Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead,  I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus."   Because of God's love, mercy, and forgiveness, I may have a clean start and I may stand back up in the value and worth God has assigned to me--no embarrassment and no shame for past missteps and misdeeds, only hope for a new day.

The Benediction

Remember when your kids were little and they wanted to go outside to play in the snow?  You would gather up all their "gear" to help them dress warm and be protected.  In my case it was usually pink (I have girls) snow suits that swished when the girls walked, fur-lined boots, hats, mittens and scarves that coordinated with their colorful outerwear.  After all the pushing and pulling and giggling and tugging, the little ones were all tucked in with only their beautiful faces and a few curls showing.  They were ready for the outside world!

I would give them a loving pat on their bottoms and say "off you go."  My two little pink robots would waddle off to the back yard to sled or build a snowman or make snow angels.  Often Dad went with them and their laughter would bring me delight and pleasure as I watched them from the kitchen window.


In our Sunday morning worship service, the benediction is one of my favorite parts of the morning (no, not because it means church is almost over).  I love the words that are spoken as a parting blessing to all of us, “The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face shine on you and be gracious to you; the Lord turn his face toward you and give you peace.”  The words come from the book of Numbers, chapter six where God instructs Moses and his brother Aaron to bless the people of Israel.

God gives me the "gear" I need to brave the details of my life.  He shines warmth on me.  And with the words of blessing and protection and the promise of God's presence which gives me the grace to face my circumstances, I leave the sanctuary in peace.  "Off I go!"