Two Eggs

Two Eggs

No matter what is going on in my life, I never want to overlook moments of sweetness that surface in unexpected moments. Two weeks ago Morris and I were guests at a corps. The vibrant worship and large number of children and youth who attended inspired us. We were privileged to be there. As the service concluded, we were shaking hands at the door when kindness met us with a purity that quickened our hearts with humility. In the midst of a long line of soldiers greeting us with their warm handshakes and ‘Ahsante Sana’, a lady gently reached into her purse and placed a fresh egg in each of our hands. We were speechless. A fragile token of appreciation carefully brought from home and watched cautiously so that it would not be broken, was now tenderly given to us with the warmest smile of gratitude. These foreign leaders had come to be with her people that day and she was grateful.  How could we respond adequately? We returned her gesture with a soft touch and a ‘thank you’ that was surely insufficient. Two eggs. The widow’s mite. We had never received such a sweet expression of gratitude. We would not forget.

It is not the size of your gift but the measure of your heart felt intention that truly matters.  Giving when only God knows the sacrifice. An offering that blesses another is not equated with size. Or maybe it is.

Luke 21:1-4 (The Message) “Just then Jesus looked up and saw the rich people dropping offerings in the collection plate. Then he saw a poor widow put in two pennies. He said, “The plain truth is that this widow has given by far the largest offering today. All these others made offerings that they’ll never miss; she gave extravagantly what she couldn’t afford—she gave her all!”

First blog of the new year - thankful and possible

January, 2018

Where to begin writing in a near year? I can’t seem to shake two words ruminating in my head and heart - thankful and possible.

A spirit of thankfulness should never wander far from any of us.  Regardless of the imperfect, flawed, struggling world around us or the truth of personal pain, frustration, or sorrow, a vacuum of thankfulness must never reside. Gratitude feeds the body, mind, and soul and keeps us well.

Rising to the surface for me in my list of thankfulness includes:

·       Conviction that an invisible God is present always, even when I don’t feel Him or hear Him.

·       A family who are well and love each other.

·       Good health.

·       Friends who keep in touch and those who inspire me.

·       Visits back to Canada and the support making it possible. Plus those who made the long journey here to spend time with us.

·       The anticipation that our children and grandchildren are coming to Kenya this year!

·       The stretching of our faith and a trust, though sometimes weak, that enable us to lead, learn, and live while facing and accepting our limits.

·       Lots of reading because we’ve chosen to live without television. Great blessing!

·       Unexpected surprises – another Canadian and finding turnip. J

·       People who pray for us.

·       The truth that it’s okay to have questions without answers, pain without balm, and sorrow without comfort (phrases borrowed from Ted Loder), but it’s never okay to be silent when injustice is present or to ‘pass by on the other side’ when a neighbor needs help.

·       Face time and Skype

·       And so much more … oh yea, that I only had one episode of a lizard in my bed!

Let thankfulness prevail, Lord. Every day of this new year.

And what of that which is possible? A new year, laced with uncertainty. What lies before us? Only God full knows.  I cannot see. He can. He does. Where will I participate most fully in what is right and good? Who will I help? Who will help me/us? None of us live without the need of others. We were made for community, not isolation. We are interdependent.  Whose path will I cross this year? Who will be the Samaritan woman that I can converse with when I’m sitting by the well, living out my every day routines?  What prospects are mine to be kind, compassionate, and grace filled? I don’t want to miss them.

 I was given a gift for Christmas - a new Bible. It’s called “Introducing God’s justice”.  It comes with an invitation to read the Scripture to discover where God meant justice to prevail, his invitation for us to join Him in the same mission and to find our own story in God’s restorative plan.

I began my Bible reading at the beginning – not a bad place to start. J Already in Genesis I’ve been reminded of God’s grace and judgment, judgement and grace – a recurring cycle. God always has room for redemption. He banishes Adam and Eve from the garden but then clothes them with a garment to cover their shame. Cain is judged for killing his brother but is protected from the wrath of others. The earth is wiped out by a flood but restored through a man named Noah.  He is a God of second chances. I’ve known that many times in my life. I’ve seen it here in Kenya too - second chances for prostitutes, street boys, those who are poor, lonely, mistreated and broken.  And often those second chances happen through God’s people who are simply willing to be attentive and engaged.  There are countless opportunities and possibilities to dispense grace and increase redemption in our fallen world.  And you don’t have to be such a perfect person to be part of making it happen. Neither Adam and Eve, nor Abraham, nor Noah were spotless. Their flaws were quite apparent.  Evidently God isn’t waiting for the unsoiled, faultless. He simply waits for the willing. And perhaps, the thankful.

Happy New Year to all of us in 2018