Thirsty

I was hoping to add to my blog while I was out in South Dakota serving the Lakota people. But, there was no computer access. So the next few blog entries will be about the trip, but after the fact.

Thirst was a common theme last week for us.

Thirsty ground
As we've read in the paper lately, South Dakota and the middle part of America is experiencing drought. It was hot and dry last week. The ground is thirsty, very thirsty for water. Lots of places, as the wind blows, dust kicks up and creates a small dust cloud.

Thirsty wood
We painted Susan's trailer for her for two days. What we found was very thirsty wood for the paint, especially on the back side of her trailer. The wood siding was bare having never been painted.

Thirsty people
While we definately were made thirsty by the heat we experienced daily, metaphorically we were thirsty to learn about the Lakota people and culture. Atta and Will both shared with us about life on the reservation and the values their culture holds. Everyone, including the children, listened with apt attention to them share their wisdom and insight about life and survival. Twice I heard the comment made, "I've heard more wisdom in the last two days than I have for the past few years." God made our hearts ready to receive wisdom.

Thirsty Mike
On Friday, we pulled weeds in a garden in the 100 degree heat, sun beating down on our heads; no shade in sight. At one point, David, working near me and Kathy, said to us, I'm going to get something to drink. "Good idea," I thought to myself. When he returned, he did so carrying two cups of cold water, one for Kathy and one for me. "Here. Cold water." he said handing me the cup.

"Thanks," I said standing up straight and wiping the sweat from my forehead.

That evening,I remembered the verse from Matthew, "I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink" an encouragement from Jesus to his disciples to serve others practically. As a middle class American Christian, I usually place myself in the role of water giver. I don't have needs...I meet needs. But, Friday morning, I was the recipient of the water. I was in need and David was the one who gave.

It's difficult at times for me to be in need or to allow others to see me in need. It's an ego thing I think. But, clearly on Friday, David, in the same boat as Kathy and me, saw the need and acted in a small and yet profoundly kind way: giving me a cup of cold water. To be in need is not bad in itself. I think all of us are afraid to be in need, to be "thirsty" because we're afraid of suffering, and most of all afraid that we will suffer alone, that no one will notice and no one will care. After all, suffering is not as bad as suffering alone. What I learned in retrospect is that God does provide for us and we can live life trusting others to serve us as we serve others.

Thanks for reading

Everything

This week I've been living with Psalm 24, reading it daily as part of my devotional routine. Since Monday I can't get passed verse one, "The earth is the Lord's and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it." This one verse has shaped my prayers for my friends, family, the world, and myself. If everything and everyone belongs to God, everything includes the people involved in the violence and bloodshed in Israel and Lebanon today. The people in Iraq. My enemies. My call as a pastor. My son. My interests. I need to live with such a radical disposition that everything and everyone belongs to God and I as one of God's people are a steward of what's God owns. Personally, without the divine ownership perspective, I will tend to try and control, or at least worry about, outcomes whether it be in my work, within my family, or when I read about, like today, increasing violence in the middle east. I can surrender to God trusting that if everything and everyone belongs to God, then God wants the best for everything and everyone. We mess things up, not God. And yet, God intervenes to help right our wrongs, to mop up our messes, to stop unnecessary violence against innocents. My hope today is that the God who oversees also intervenes. "Your kingdom come Lord."

Dancing in the rain

Having a three year old child has to be the best thing ever.

Last night, my wife and I took Ethan to see the fireworks. As is normally the case, to get a good seat to see fireworks you have to get “there” a couple hours before the event. Last night was no exception. As we sat waiting for the big moment, it began to rain. We got our umbrellas out and Ethan sat with me undermine for a while. However, at one point he gets up runs out into the rain and begins turning round in circles on the sidewalk. His hands and arms were flailing beside hom and his head pulled back, while he kind of ran in place in circles.

“What are you doing Ethan?” I asked.

“I’m dancing in the rain.”

What having a child has done for me is to show me the beauty of enjoying life. As an adult, I wouldn’t start dancing in the rain for anything. I’m too old for that type of behavior. I may curse the rain, complain that I have to sit underneath an umbrella…but I wouldn’t choose to embrace the rain and enjoy its presence. What a fool I am. Which is better? Embrace the momentary gifts given by God or complain about how inconvenient it is to have to sit underneath an umbrellla? The former is better. I don’t need to be childlish to enjoy life, but I can be child-like and enjoy the things that are brought my way…including rain.

Thanks for reading.

dancing in the rain

Having a three year old child has to be the best thing ever.

Last night, my wife and I took Ethan to see the fireworks. As is normally the case, to get a good seat to see fireworks you have to get "there" a couple hours before the event. Last night was no exception. As we sat waiting for the big moment, it began to rain. We got our umbrellas out and Ethan sat with me undermine for a while. However, at one point he gets up runs out into the rain and begins turning round in circles on the sidewalk. His hands and arms were flailing beside hom and his head pulled back, while he kind of ran in place in circles.

"What are you doing Ethan?" I asked.

"I'm dancing in the rain."

What having a child has done for me is to show me the beauty of enjoying life. As an adult, I wouldn't start dancing in the rain for anything. I'm too old for that type of behavior. I may curse the rain, complain that I have to sit underneath an umbrella...but I wouldn't choose to embrace the rain and enjoy its presence. What a fool I am. Which is better? Embrace the momentary gifts given by God or complain about how inconvenient it is to have to sit underneath an umbrellla? The former is better. I don't need to be childlish to enjoy life, but I can be child-like and enjoy the things that are brought my way...including rain.

Thanks for reading.