Sisterly Love

“If either of them falls down, one should help the other up." ~ Ecclesiastes 4:10

Women aren’t expected to be perfect mothers just by virtue of having been born female.  Jenna knew that first hand.

When her dad skipped out of their lives, her 9-year-old sister Annie became the de facto mom. Not because they didn't have real mom anymore, but because Dorothy spent every waking hour either hung over … or drunk.  So, it simply came down to: “If not me … who?”

The clear liquid bathing Dorothy’s ice by midafternoon was vodka.  And that wasn't even the start of it.  There was brandy in her morning orange juice and sometimes whiskey in her coffee.  By dinner she slumped in her chair, drooling between snores.

Thinking back now Jenna remembered whining for the cool stuff other kids had.  She’d tried to scrub those memories from her brain.  She was just a kid then.

Who knows what would have happened if Annie hadn't started cooking and doing laundry.  She knew all about foster homes.  They sounded more like cattle pens with just as much love.

Annie walked her little sister to school, helped her with homework, told her when to go to bed, and later even brought home a meager paycheck.  She sounded so much like Dorothy it was like they were the same person.  Yet Annie was barely a teenager.  Perhaps that's why she never had any kids of her own.  Raising Jenna had been enough and she’d put her whole heart into the job.

When she was old enough to drive, Annie would pick Jenna up after school even though she could’ve easily taken the bus.  She’d hop in the front seat next to Annie and tell her all about her day.  Jenna felt safe and peaceful when they sat in the car together.

But being a tiny, little kid in a big scary world wasn't so bad.  She knew that Annie loved her and that’s all she needed.

Those times helped Jenna prepare for another special relationship that she’d find later in life.  All those times she spent talking to and being with her earthly sister helped Jenna open her heart to God, her Heavenly Father.

Annie’s beautiful love led Jenna to His.  Annie’s comforting arms guided her to His.  Her gentle spirit inspired Jenna to seek His.  Even after Annie left this world far too soon, Jenna could still feel her love flowing down from Heaven along with His.

The next time this world seems too scary or hard - don't run away.  Instead invite God into the vehicle of your soul, close the doors, and spend some time alone together.  If you do you’ll know that you are loved.  If you do you too will become loving, joyful, and brave.

Heavenly Father, please shine Your light upon my family.  Bring us together as we are meant to be.  May the love that binds us only grow stronger as we fulfill the destiny You have laid out for us.  Amen

Jellybean

“You can’t please God without faith, without depending on him." ~ Hebrews 11:6

Sweet, active, and charming were qualities that described Jellybean.  As a scent hound breed, dachshunds were bred to hunt tunneling animals, rabbits, and foxes.   For that reason, he firmly believed that sleeping under the bedcovers was his right.   That also made him a flight risk when off-leash since he often raced after the first scent or sight he encountered.

It began as a routine morning walk for Charlene and her wiener dog.  Out of nowhere, Jellybean (Bean for short) began barking and pulling her towards a concrete storm drain inlet.  Though bright and clever, Dachshunds like to do things their own way; in other words, they're very stubborn.  It was obvious the dog was trying to tell her something.

Thank God she listened.

At first, Charlene thought she heard meowing well past heavy irons bars preventing entry into the storm drain.  Bean must’ve picked up the scent of a cat stuck inside and hastened to pursue his prey.

Charlene frantically waved for help.  Dozens ignored her until 60-year-old Raul pulled over.  The stranger got down on both knees and stuck his head as far into the sewer as possible.  Nothing could’ve prepared him for what he saw!

Thirty feet or so farther into the drain lie a naked baby, with part of an umbilical cord still attached, shivering in the icy cold water.  But that wasn’t the most amazing part!

There, cuddled around the newborn, lay Bean trying his hardest to keep the infant warm and calm.  The child must have been thinking: “Your paws wrapped right around me bring a peace I've never known before, calming the chaos in my heart.  You give me hope for the future; that there’s nothing to fear.  And love is enough.”

Raul hurried back his pickup and retrieved a large pry bar.  With Charlene’s help the pair managed to spread the bars wide enough to enter the drain and retrieve the baby.  Under Bean’s watchful eye, paramedics treated the baby for hypothermia and respiratory issues and rushed her to the hospital.  The birth mother who abandoned the child was never identified.

Consider this.  Charlene had ended up on an unfamiliar path for their walk that morning.  Raul had taken a shortcut to work because he’d been running late.  And Bean, whose natural prey instinct would’ve been to attack and perhaps kill the small child, did just the opposite.

Were these simply coincidences?

The way you answer the question will affect the way you give thanks this week.  If a blessing you receive was just an accident, you can be happy.  But if you understand that the gift came from God, then be grateful to Him as well as the people He sent to bless you.

My Lord, help me to recognize and give rightful thanks for Your hand in the blessings I receive.  Deepen my faith so that I see You not only active in my life’s circumstances, but also in providing for my needs.  Amen

Love Lost (and Found)

"God is love.  Love endures all things." ~ 1 Corinthians 13:7

Lodged in the shadows of an elegant rotunda in NYC’s French Embassy lobby stands a curly-haired youth, set on an ancient Roman altar.  It’s taken a battering over the years, having not only lost its arms and lower legs but also suffered a number of breaks.  There’s considerable water erosion, probably from an earlier life as a fountain, on the chest and head.  There’s also some staining on the face and some chipping of the nose and upper lip.

Over the last half century, the statue has been seen by thousands of visitors, many of whom gathered for social events in the shadows around the fountain.  But if they thought of it at all, it was as a throwback to turn-of-the-century taste.  Never did anyone suspect that it might be Manhattan's only sculpture by one of the greatest creative artists of all time.

The statue, identified variously as a young archer or a Cupid, has been the subject of intense scrutiny.  The flickering curls of the hair, the forms and features of the face, the treatment of the body and the carving technique suggests it was carved by the famed Renaissance sculptor Michelangelo as a teenage prodigy.

Mythologically, Venus’ son Cupid was at times portrayed as a small, winged boy, carrying a bow and arrow.  Legend reveals that those shot with his arrow were destined to fall in love.  He’s cute and lovable but also mischievous and dangerous at times.

Cupid reminds us of the power of love especially when it is pure and uncontaminated by jealousy, fear and greedy attachment.  It’s ironic that this masterpiece, this iconic symbol of love, stood unrecognized for centuries.

God’s love may also lie unrecognized within our own hearts ... but it’s there whether we acknowledge it or not.  “In the quiet of the night, be comforted: the Lord remembers you.” (Psalm  63:7)  He is the God of all comfort and the healer of fragmented, devastated, tender hearts.

Human love is an incredible thing, the kind of gift that puts purpose in your life and happiness in your heart.  But God's love is even better!

It’s not influenced by your appearance, by your possessions, or by the amount of money you have in your bank account.  It’s not changed by your talents and abilities.  It’s simply there for the asking - when you’re sad or happy, discouraged or hopeful.  God’s love is even there for you whether or not you feel you deserve it.

Deny it, fight it or try to ignore it, but God's love for you is omnipresent, lying right out in the open sometimes when you least expect to find it.  Be comforted: “God loves you.” (John 3:16)

Lord, there’s no human experience that I might walk through where Your love cannot reach me.  Teach me to love You more.  Help me to rest in that love that asks nothing more than the simple trusting heart of a child.  In Jesus name, Amen

Did the Right Thing

“If you don’t do what you know is right, you have sinned." ~ James 4:17

It's not easy when your family is barely scraping by, treading paycheck-to-paycheck, earning just enough to keep from going under.  That’s especially true when you're a teenager.

Her Dad worked two low paying part-time jobs and had no real prospects for better employment.  Mom worked odd jobs under the table when she could.  They were the in-betweeners – never earning enough to live comfortably but not ‘poor’ enough to get public assistance either.

Once the school bus pulled away, Emma broke into a run, dashing into the alley behind the stores and restaurants.  The food in those trash bins was double wrapped; much of it still cold from the refrigerators.  Free food meant she could pocket the lunch money Mom gave her before school this morning.  Maybe she’d splurge and see a movie.

At first she almost ripped over it – a thick black wallet bulging with cash lying just off the curb.

She picked it up and looked around to see if anyone nearby might have dropped it.  There wasn’t.  She didn't bother to open it immediately, but turns out it contained 27 Benjamins.

She pondered what to do next.

Being hungry in a working-poor family, $2,700 might’ve gone a long way.  She could’ve indulged herself: an iPhone, designer purse, or perhaps the down payment on a car, with plenty left over to help out her Mom and Dad.

But those thoughts never occurred to Emma.  Twenty-seven hundred dollars was an awful lot to be carrying around.  Her parents didn’t own a credit card; too easy to get behind in payments.  It must’ve been intended for something essential.  She needed to get it back to whoever lost it.

The young woman forgot about her grumbling stomach.  Emma felt a little funny rifling through someone’s personal items, but she imagined the rightful owner wouldn’t mind if he got his wallet back.  She was right!

The wallet and cash belonged to a veteran who sobbed with relief when Emma reached him with the help of a local storeowner’s phone.  He’d been behind in his rent; a friend had loaned him the cash to settle debts with his landlord.

They met.  Emma even refused a $50 reward.  She’d done the right thing even though taking the unethical short cut might have benefited not only herself, but her family as well.  But feeling good about doing the right thing was something that she’d enjoy for the rest of her life!

Doing the right thing is often counter-cultural in today’s “what’s in it for me” society.  However, that’s exactly what God wants us to do.  Doing the right thing in every circumstance will not only bless our friends, neighbors and even our enemies, but it will be a special gift to ourselves as well.

Lord, make me truthful and honorable in all things.  Give me the ability to be charitable, forgiving, and patient with all people.  Help me to understand their motives and shortcomings, even as you forgive mine!  Amen

Flash, Bang

“Shine among others like beacon lights." ~ Philippians 2:15

Allen heard if before seeing it.  Pop! Pop! Pop!  Small ammunition - machine-gun fire.

“Incoming!” he yelled, and dove under the table – shrinking, trembling, cowering.  As adrenaline flooded his veins, Allen felt his ribs heaving as if bound by ropes, choking his lungs as he waited for the all-clear.

“Allen, you all right?”  He looked over to see his best friend Patrick crouched beside him.  “Where am I?” he wondered as the fog began to dissipate.  He was no longer with his battalion in Iraq.  He was home.  Neighbors had been setting off firecrackers.  Not gunfire; innocent pyrotechnics.

Embarrassed as hell, Allen stood up.  “Sorry,” he muttered retreating into the house.  Not in a combat zone but his pulsed raced like he was.  Every hair on the back of his neck stood at attention.  No more fireworks - never again.

Patrick followed closely behind.  When they were safely inside, he spoke gently: “Position yourself, Allen, so you can see the fireworks being lit.  That way, you won’t be caught off guard.”

Allen admired his friend.  He too was an army veteran; the main reason Allen had enlisted.  Patrick understood.  It was as if he was telling Allen’s panic to shut up and rack out.

His fear began to melt away.

“And, buddy … most important,” Patrick continued, “Surround yourself with people you know and trust.   We’ve got your six!”

Later that week, the two army pals took their place in the field.   As the pyrotechnics team lit the first fuse, Allen gazed into the night sky said a short prayer: “Lord, I know You’re here with me.”

The first firework whistled into the air and burst.  Allen took a deep breath, and kept watching as the explosion splashed vivid colors across the sky.  He was celebrating July 4^th for the first time in years, as a child of God shining like a beacon light.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY AMERICA!  Friends, when you see the “Stars and Stripes,” don’t just cheer or salute; give thanks for your freedom even as you pray for those who don’t enjoy the same liberty you do.

If you watch a parade, let the procession remind you of the cost of freedom paid in days gone bye and its luxury today.  Then pray for freedom to escalate around the world.

When you see military uniforms, give thanks for those who’ve made the ultimate sacrifice and for those who serve today protecting our freedoms.  Pray also for harmony among nations and all people.

And finally, as you follow those burning ribbons paving their way to the heavens before the each burst of color, attach a small prayer to one or two.  Imagine God receiving your petitions and already at work on them while you wait for His answer.

Heavenly Father, we know that once our prayers break through the heavens, and You take hold of them, something beautiful happens.  Just like the fireworks, You respond to each prayer with vivid and powerful results for all to see.  Amen