Tuesday With Teri

            I know God has a sense of humor.  I can attest far too often to moments in life where I am pretty sure I could actually hear His holy laughter at His own cleverness in dealing with me.  This last Sunday was just such a moment. 

          It began as a normal Sunday morning.   My husband and I were leading our adult Sunday school class through a study from the book of John.  This day’s lesson followed the first public miracle which Jesus performed.   As a class we read the account of Jesus and His disciples attending a wedding in Cana along with His mother, Mary.  The host of the wedding ran out of wine and Mary asked Jesus to help.  Eventually Jesus would turn water into wine.  One of the discussion questions had us considering what the host of the wedding may have been feeling.  

          It is easy to imagine the burden the host must have felt when he realized he would not be able to honor his guest with his best wine.   Trying to comprehend the emotional need of the moment and the stress felt by the host helps us better appreciate this particular miracle.  It would impact everyone from the servants who did as Jesus commanded and had a firsthand view of His working, to the host and his guest.   It was at this point in the lesson I should have heard God begin to giggle.  I have no doubt that it was at this moment He said to Himself….”Just in case she missed this point, I’ll make it more clear…later tonight when she is not looking for Me, I’ll  bring this point home.”

          Fast forward to later that night…as my husband and I prepare for his men’s Bible study which meets in our home.  It has grown considerably and each Sunday night 10-15 men gather for a shared meal (which they take turns providing) and Bible study.  It was our turn to provide the food.  We discussed the possible turn out.  Class attendance was down considerably that morning due to the flu season, various family members being sick or out of town, so we figured the night’s attendance may also be reduced.   We decided on 4 LARGE pizzas, figuring left over pizza is never a problem.  

          I’m sure as you read this you can predict what happened, but trust me, at the time it was not so evident.   Soon the men began to arrive, and arrive, and arrive, and arrive,….that’s when my husband poked his head around the corner of the room I was in and said these terrifying words, “Teri, there is only one slice of pizza left!” and with that I heard our door swing open as 4 more men joined the gathering.  YIKES!   Don’t get me wrong; we were THRILLED to see so many be able to attend.  But I felt so badly.  They were our honored guest and I couldn’t just say, “oops…sorry, some of you guys will need to sit through the hour long Bible study hungry.”  

         I dove into the arctic depths of my freezer searching for provisions.  I praised God in my heart that a local grocer had put frozen hor d’oeuvres on sale last week, and I that I had stocked up on a few boxes for upcoming events.  As, I loaded up baking sheets with the miniature food items one of the men from class just HAD to say it…. “Hey, didn’t we just learn about this in class today?  So, how does it feel?”    I am sure I would have heard God’s heavenly laughter over His earthly lesson if not for the rather loud laughter rolling through my kitchen from all of us. 

           Let’s just say that after that night, I am not likely to forget the precious implications of Jesus’ first public miracle.  And for the record, real men DO eat quiche.

          The other day I got out of my car after a shopping trip and began to look for my cell phone.  Calm digging through my purse soon escalated to panicked thoughts of the possible places I could have left it.  I was upside down in the car, craning my neck to see into the dark crevice beneath my seat  when the person I was talking to on my cell phone asked what I was doing.  I’ll give you a minute to figure that out…..Yep, I had the phone to my ear all the while I was searching for it!  I know you’re laughing, but I also know you have probably done something like it yourself.  I have numerous friends who make a habit of placing their reading glasses atop  their head so they will have easy access to them.  Inevitably they will spend considerable time searching  for them until someone points out they have them on their head.  I once had a coworker who approached me one day looking very frazzled.  She had a pair of reading glasses on her head and one set  hung around her neck on chain.  She had a habit of using her tightly rolled hair bun as a pencil holder and she had at least 4 writing utensils radiating from the top of her hair this day.  “What’s wrong?” I asked.  “I can’t find my pen or glasses and I have so much work to do!”  she replied.  It’s easy to find ourselves looking for things not lost!         

           We’ve been learning about the Holy Spirit in Sunday school.  It is startling to think how much I did not know about something so important to believers.  Oh sure,  I have always known it was part of the “Trinity”….Father, Son, Holy Spirit.  Funny though, in my southern Baptist upbringing I tended to think of the trinity as a listing in order of importance.  I heard so much about God and Jesus and very little about the Holy Spirit.  I knew the scriptures told that God sent the Holy Spirit to be with us after Christ (God in the flesh) was taken up to heaven following his resurrection.   Jesus tells us in John 16:7  “…., it is to your advantage that I go away;  if I do not go away,  the Helper shall not come to you; but if I go, I will send Him to you.”   I also got that the Holy Spirit was not tangible/physical.  But even with this understanding I was missing some key aspects.  I think the biggest gap in my understanding was that I thought the Holy Spirit came and went in our lives depending on us.

          I used to think that we became “filled” with the Holy Spirit when we read the Bible faithfully, obeyed God, did our best, really sought Him or needed Him.   But the Holy Spirit is a part of every believer’s life. 

1 Corinthians 6:19 “Do you not know your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God…”

Ephesians 1:13 “…Having believed, you were marked with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit.”

          Scripture after scripture revealed a new truth to me…the Holy Spirit I had desired to be filled with WAS filling me!  I was just not recognizing His presence.  I was too busy seeking Him to realize He was with me, enabling and empowering me, waiting for me to rely on His strength in my weakness, wanting me to rest in His peace.  I was looking for something not lost!

                  When we discover our reading glasses are not lost, we stop searching and start using.  We simply move them into position and everything before us changes. 

         We are studying the book of Luke in our community Bible study.  This means that in the crisp month of October we are reading very non ”Octobery” passages.  It just seems odd to be reading about the birth of Jesus anytime besides December.  I know,  I know… the Bible is for ALL seasons in life.  Of course I am finding and understanding new truths each time we gather to read and discuss the Word, but seriously, our scripture memory verse this week was Luke 2:11.

“For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, which is Christ the Lord.”

          We went over it as a group and the leader encouraged us to memorize each week’s key verse.  “No problem there,” I quipped to the lady sitting next to me, “learned that one from Charlie Brown.”   Come on, that was kind of funny right?  I mean, who of us hasn’t heard the sweet voice of Linus uttering these lines in the Charlie Brown Christmas special over the years?   I was flabbergasted (always wanted to use that word in print) by her response of, “Who is Charlie Brown?”

          Who is Charlie Brown?!  Who is Charlie Brown?!  I did not even attempt to hide my flabbergatsedness (spell check doesn’t have a “suggested” spelling for this word, but it is still the best way to describe my demeanor during this conversation).   In her defense I did make that reference totally out of context.  I mean, it is October and Christmas specials are not even being advertised on TV yet. She probably wished she had just smiled and nodded at me instead of saying, “Who is Charlie Brown?”   I felt compelled to make sure she knew what I meant.  I didn’t want her to think I was nuts.  I reminded her of the popular cartoon special and prodded her memory with “you know, the Christmas special with Linus and Charlie Brown?”   “Ooooh!” She quietly exclaimed when she finally “got” my comment.  This entire verbal transaction took place in hushed tones, while the leader was speaking, and lasted only minutes, but this morning I find it is one of the more memorable lessons of that night.

         What if someone had never heard of Charlie Brown?  Let’s face it, it is not life changing.  Ones exposure to Charlie Brown does not create a great impact on a life lived. (Unless, like me, you find it helps you memorize some of the Bible)  Yet I found myself startled at the idea that someone had not heard of him.  Big deal right?  In comparison, how “flabbergasted” should I be when I consider those who have not heard of or met my Savior? 

         Just as I assume EVERYONE has at least heard of Charlie Brown, sometimes we assume we are surrounded by people who have at least heard of Jesus.  Our church has been focused on missions this last month.  In addition to meeting the physical needs of others we are challenged to remember the need to share the good news of the hope for redemption we have in Jesus Christ.  I know that includes the mission field of my neighborhood, but I don’t think I really thought about the likelihood that God has allowed someone to enter my sphere of influence who knows nothing of Him or His love.  I was seriously determined to make sure the lady beside in Bible study knew who Charlie Brown was, I should be even more so determined to make sure those in my life Know who Jesus and how much God loves us.

          The toilet was running.  I knew I could either lay in the bed and continue telling myself it was a soothing, sleep inducing sound or I could get up and jiggle the handle like usual.  I chose the handle jiggling option.  I know in most homes a short trek from ones bed to the bathroom is not a dangerous feat, but for some of us it can be challenging. 

           As I shuffled in the darkness of the room I soon encountered the inhospitable hope chest which sits at the foot of our bed.  It’s great for holding heirloom items and bruising shins.  My recovery from this impact was short lived.  One step further I found my foot sinking into a soft mound of dirty clothes (you know, that pile you INTENDED to take to the laundry room earlier in the day).  After shaking what I hoped was only a sock from my toes, I foraged onward.  Almost to my destination, I walked confidently into the ironing board(complete with iron) and performed the awkward “steady it before it falls and wakes the husband” dance.  As soon as I felt the smooth floor of the bathroom, I slid inside and quietly closed the door behind me.  I turned on the light, SANCTUARY!  In the wonderful glow of incandescent lighting I was able to make contact with the troublesome toilet and jiggle the handle.  I turned off the bathroom light before opening the door to the darkened bedroom and headed back to bed.

          My return trip to the bedside would be far less eventful.  You see, although once again I was walking in darkness, this time I knew what was in my path.  I planned accordingly, veering a bit as I exited the bathroom to avoid the ironing board and giving the dirty clothes pile and hope chest plenty of passing space on my left.  Once safely snuggled below the covers and ready to enjoy a quieter night’s sleep, I found myself contemplating my late night journey.  Odd, I thought, how easy it was to navigate in the dark once I had a lay of the land, yet how much easier it would it have been had I simply turned on a light.   In a well lit room getting up to jiggle the handle of the toilet would have been quicker, quieter and safer.  I can’t keep from considering how this relates to the darkened world. 

          I think it’s possible that people learn, as I did the other night, to navigate the darkness.   Obstacles that may have once caused us to stop and consider our predicament are now easily avoided.  Painful trial and error can cause us to have a false sense of where to walk.  

          God brings light to our darkened world so we DON’T have to shuffle our way through life wincing in anticipation of obstacles.  He floods the world with light so we can see truth and have hope.   He wants us to journey in the light so we can enjoy the view and have confidence in our steps.  Yet it is easy for man to continue to grope in the darkness, navigating our way through life using any path of least resistance.   Walking  in shin scraping, toe stubbing darkness is not the best way to travel.  For myself, I choose light.

          Okay, so I opened my dishwasher after it finished running and found the automatic detergent still wrapped in plastic and laying in the bottom of the machine.  Hmmmmmm.  Obviously protected from the dissolving effects of the water, it had done little to insure my dishes had indeed been cleaned.  I soon discovered the culprit was my helpful husband.  He’d placed the cellophane wrapped cube of detergent in the dispenser just as he would have if it were the “other” kind, you know, the kind in a capsule that dissolves.  When I pointed out his error he immediately defended his action with,  “How was I supposed to know?”   I thought that was a valid question…how was he supposed to know?   There are not instructions on each individual packet after all. 

         Why is it that really important instructions are easy to miss and other , less necessary instructions are plain to see?  For example, on the container of snake repellant (see previous posts for snake issues)  the important tid bit about not using this product “in areas where snakes are already known to exist” was located on page 2 of a pull out label in miniscule print, yet the “use in well ventilated areas” was prominently displayed. (Which, by the way, is a silly instruction and waste of ink since the pungent odor would automatically cause you to avoid inhaling it.)  Why do our medicines clearly let us know how much to take and when, but list all possible ill effects of doing so in much smaller disclaimer print? I have yet to figure out why, on any container of cleaning products or harmful chemicals, the “keep away from small children” instruction is buried so far down the label?  Seems like that might be a fairly important thing to be reminded about.  The recent dishwasher mishap along with the various other things I have used or applied incorrectly over the years has brought to mind another area of  my life where I may be missing some fine print.

          Sometimes I skip right past God’s instructions.  In my hurry to accomplish something, or in the chaos of my day, I find it easy to set His Word aside and attempt to solve problems and make decisions from my own perspective.   I have no problem recognizing the bold directive of the ten commandments, yet may fail to investigate the other lifesaving instructions and guidelines found in the Word of God.   How much firmer my faith, clearer my call and unshakable my joy would be if I could be attentive to all of His Words, not just those which are presented to me by others, displayed on posters or plagues and strung along in songs? 

          When Luke penned the book of the Bible which bares his name, he did so to assure clarity to folks like us, “inasmuch as many have undertaken to compile an account of the things accomplished among us,…..it seemed fitting for me as well, having investigated everything carefully from the beginning, to write it out for you….so that you might know the exact truth about the things you have been taught.” Luke 1:1-4  I am challenged to do a better job of studying the Word and knowing the fine print of instructions He has for us.  Unlike some product instructions, God’s are not hidden or lack clarity.   I guess my Bible is like that detergent cube…if I don’t open it up, it won’t do any good!

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          I was at a Bible study last night when Bill, a friend of mine, shared a devotional from Mark 6:45-52.( This is the account of Jesus walking on water.) Bill did a great job of sharing what God had laid on his heart, he was very brief and to the point.  I must confess though, that while I fully intended to pay attention to everything he said, my mind quickly grasped two striking statements and became so wrapped up in the thought of them that I lost track of anything else he shared.  Even today I can’t help but dwell on them.

          First of all he noted that there are two places Jesus tended to frequent in His ministry, mountain tops and boats!  I had never thought about that  before.  He was right, we often read that Jesus withdrew to a mountain top to pray, rest or even teach.  Who could blame Him.  As Bill pointed out to us, mountain tops are serene and peaceful.  They give us unique perspective and can provide either a vantage point or a place of solitude.   

          Jesus also spent a great deal of time in boats.  My husband would love this!  It is difficult to get him to be anywhere except his boat anytime the weather permits.  I can just hear him now, “Teri, we can’t attend ( (insert any activity I am requesting i.e. weddings, church meeting, shopping, party, baby/bridal shower) we HAVE to spend the day on the boat..after all that is where Jesus would spend his time.”   Jesus traveled by, taught from and displayed His authority over storms in…BOATS!   So maybe as Christians we should spend more time hiking and boating?

          The second thing Bill shared which stuck with me was part of the scripture he read.  After Jesus had sent the followers away and He had finished praying on the mountain top, He looked out to see His disciples struggling in the boat. “And when it was evening, the boat was in the midst of the sea and He was alone on land.  And seeing them straining at the oars, for the wind was against them, at about the fourth watch, He came to them…. “Mark 6:47-48   seeing them “STRAINNING against the oars”…the “WIND against them”   at these words I quickly found myself reliving the events of last Saturday in my mind.  

           My husband had other commitments and I found myself with a Saturday all to myself, so I decided to take my kayak out on the Occoquan River.   The weather was overcast and slightly windy, but I knew I would not have too many chances to do this again.  I was especially excited to try bringing my porky little yorkie, Hughie, along for the first time.  Of course I envisioned myself casually paddling along the shore with my loyal dog eagerly poised at the bow of my boat.  Hahahahaha.   Surprisingly Hughie did indeed actually perch at the bow of the kayak from time to time (when he wasn’t fearfully huddled against my legs or chest).  Matter of fact, except for the time he jumped out of the kayak in an attempt to get to the turtle he saw sitting on a log in the water, I’d say he was a perfect first mate.

           We paddled up and down the river for almost two hours, but it was two hours of “straining at the oars….for the wind was against us”.   There was a little casual paddling, and a few relaxing  and restful stops along the way, but for the most part I had to work really hard to keep my boat under control and moving the direction I intended as opposed to the direction the wind and current intended. 

          When we strain against the oars in life, trying to move forward or change direction, we are often faced with winds of opposition.  Just as Jesus saw His disciples struggle, so does our God see our efforts and struggles.  I like thinking about that…He will come to me as I strain against my oars.  I can attest to the great relief one feels when someone comes to help you ashore.  When you hand your oars to Him your arms will fall tingling to your side and your entire body will sigh with a release of tension you may not have even know was there.

                                   This last weekend Scott and I enjoyed a wonderful boat trip to Solomon’s Island, MD.  The journey takes about 5 hours by boat and requires heading south on the Potomac River with passage through a short section of the Chesapeake Bay.  We had great weather for our travels there and better than expected for our stay at a local Maryland marina.  It is our trip homeward that is still running through my mind.

          We listened intently to the marine weather/water forecast the evening prior to departure.  Various reports mentioned strong winds and waves a bit higher than we normally would run in, but our small band of boaters determined it was still a go.  We left the safety of the marina around 9am and were soon introduced to the wonderful weather and waves of the mighty Chesapeake.  Of course, we were not in any danger…I’m not talking about waves the size of those seen on “Deadliest Catch” …but it did remind me of one of my favorite rides at amusement parks…the log flume.  You know when you’re on the log ride and the final plunge sends water up and into your log soaking you until your dripping wet?  Well, imagine that about every five minutes for over an hour and you may have an understanding of our boat ride home.  

           The occasional spray of salty sea water and the stiff wind was welcome and familiar…then it happened, out of nowhere, as if someone had dumped a bucket of cold water over our heads, the first wave of the day landed inside the boat.  Oh, we expected rough ridding, wind and waves…what we did not expect was the extreme drenching that would ensue.   I’m pretty sure I am not alone in that I was expecting a lot of sea spray and a few bow crashing waves.  What we experienced instead was a frequent deluge of water over the bow and into our laps.  We had been given a piece of Chesapeake humble pie, as if the weather and water joined together to remind us that when you’re on a boat anything can happen.

          This morning, after of sleeping in a bed that seemed possessed by the sea and rocked endlessly, I found myself replaying the scene in my head.  As I prayed for friends sending their kids off to a new year of school, some for the first time, and for others who are experiencing difficult things, I realized that sometimes life sends “waves” over our bow.

          We expect to experience only a stiff wind or salty sea spray in life and instead find ourselves overtaken by a massive rouge wave.  The excitement in a new school year, discouragement or loss, even the unpredictable weather of the changing seasons, are like waves over the bow…striking reminders of how, in life, anything can happen.  Time is passing, kids are growing, life happens and we are not in control.  We don our life preservers and hold fast to our anchor and brace for the tumultuous journey.   The good news is our captain is in control and He is never surprised by any waves which find their way over our bow!

                                                                We drove along the familiar road along the gulf shore.  It was good to be back home visiting family and enjoying the beauty of Pensacola Beach.  The sand is known for its pure white color, resembling snow on a sunny day.  Several years ago this area was devastated by hurricane Ivan.  Even though we have visited the area several times since then, I am still amazed at the impact the area sustained.  Entire roads broke apart, bridges collapsed or had sections washed away and lucky home owners had extensive damage while unlucky home owners could not even locate home remnants.  It was both heartening and humbling to see how much the area has rebuilt and repaired infrastructure.   The beach front is dotted with stout old structures that have weathered numerous hurricanes mixed with shiny new construction of replacement homes with upgraded hurricane resistant architecture. 

           Hurricanes are not new to anyone whose home is on the gulf coast, as are tropical depressions and storms.    Rough surf, high winds and powerful water surges are sure to leave a mark on the face of the area each year.  The road we now traveled was lined on one side by high sand dunes.  Twisted trees and seaside shrubs protrude above the white sand held in place by the root system of the vegetation.  On the opposite side of the road is flat desolation.  The shore is like a whiteboard wiped clean.  It reminds me of a barren desert and a snow covered valley at the same time.    The wind is blowing and sand is drifting.  The edges of the road begin to blur and blend as the sand sifts and settles beyond the boundary which normally marks where asphalt meets beach.  There is a tropical depression in the gulf and we are getting a little preview, reminder that hurricane season is in full bloom.  There would be no hurricane this visit, but the images we surveyed were striking reminders of the importance of roots.

          Beach restoration requires extensive replanting of Pensacola’s infamous Sea Oats.  Sea Oat root systems are perfect for anchoring the windblown sand and allowing the grains to pile up and form the familiar dunes one expects to see at the beach.  Sea Oats are protected and respected by most Floridians who understand the need for these plants to survive.  Beach goers carefully walk on paths or designated areas to avoid trampling these seemingly fragile plants.  It doesn’t take a large oak tree, concrete forms or forestation to build up the dunes; it only takes some well placed, well anchored and well protected roots.

            How much like that are we?  The world will blow us and wash us where it will at times.  Sometimes I feel in control of who I am and what I tend to be, yet other times I fall into step with the powerful surge of the world and find myself leveled or misplaced.  Like those lightweight grains of sand comprising the snow white beaches before me I require anchoring.  I need something to rest against and build upon.  I need to be able to grasp something larger than myself and hold fast to that which has been in place for all of time.   

Lord I want to cling to you as the anchoring root in my life.  Your faithfulness, strength, grace and love are sufficient for all the storms which may try to move me from your will and shake me from my foundation.