Grains of Sand

Waste. That’s what has niggled at the back of my mind this week. At the beginning of this month a message was left on my voice mail from the sister of a long-time friend. She didn’t say what it was about but I was pretty certain Rita would only call me if Jean had passed away. She didn’t leave her phone number and I couldn’t find it on Canada 411 so I hoped she would call back. This past Monday she did. We talked for a long time and I was left with the sad reminder of how wasted Jean’s life had been in so many ways. Yes, she lived into her sixties but many of those years were lonely and fraught with both emotional and physical pain. Jean was the kind of person that most people don’t “see.” I had my share of regrets. I wished I had been a better friend on those occasions when I had the chance to be. Sometimes I didn’t “see” Jean either. Over the past few weeks, and twice this week, three young people have died in our little town. One young man killed himself after killing his parents....

forums.oneplus.net (Google Images) A story repeated in all four gospels is the feeding of the five thousand or, more precisely, the feeding of probably twenty thousand if you include the women and children. But it is what leads up to this miracle of the “loaves and fishes,” as it is often called, that captures my attention this morning. The followers of Jesus had just returned from their mission trips throughout the region. They reported to the Lord what they had said and done in His Name. Mark records this: “ …because so many people were coming and going that they did not have a chance to eat, he said to them, ‘Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest’ ” (Mark 6:31). So the twelve plus Jesus set sail across the lake. Meanwhile those who noticed them going took the land route and got to the place before the disciples landed. Instead of finding the solitude that they needed after such a demanding schedule, they found a huge crowd waiting to hear from Jesus and t...

socalpaintcenter.com (Google Images) Three of the four Gospels record the story of the man with leprosy who came to Jesus for healing (Matthew 8:2-4; Mark 1:40-45; Luke 5:12-16). The Old Testament term for leprosy included other skin diseases (Leviticus 13:2) but this man probably had the real thing given the sensation that his healing caused. I know an elderly lady who mentioned to me several times that she had actually touched a leper in her younger days, and considered herself fortunate that she had never contracted the disease herself from that touch. A leper was isolated from the community because of the fear of contamination. No one touched a leper, and those with the disease were required to announce their presence whenever anyone from the general population approached by calling out “unclean, unclean.” Luke, the doctor, records that this particular man was “ full ” of leprosy. Matthew tells us that when he approached Jesus he worshiped Him. Mark says that the man begged Jes...

Reading: John 1, 2 Trust is as basic a necessity as food, clothing and shelter—but much harder to hang on to. Jesus knew the reality of that. Early in His ministry the crowds followed Him, eager to hear from the “new kid on the block” and to see the miracles that He did. It was the best show in town—at least for that moment. John 2:23 (NIV) says: “ Now while he was in Jerusalem at the Passover Feast, many people saw the miraculous signs he was doing and believed in his name .” We put a lot of stock in those last four words: “ believed in his name .” But Jesus didn’t. Verse 24 goes on to say: “ But Jesus would not entrust himself to them, for he knew all men. ” The Lord was compassionate, loving, forgiving; but never naïve. That’s a balance we sometimes find hard to achieve. The disappointments we suffer at the hands of others often make us bitter, angry, and protective. “I’ll never let myself be hurt by so-and-so again!” comes the cry of a wounded heart. I suspect that some peop...

It's been a while since I posted anything for FRIDAY FICTION. But here goes. Friday Fiction is hosted by Karlene at Homespun Expressions . Drop by and visit. This piece was a submission for the FAITHWRITERS CHALLENGE. The theme was "Winter" but the story might warm your heart. DER KESSEL By some miracle, the shed at the farthest end of the alley had survived the massive bombing raids. Everything else around had long since been reduced to rubble. Sergei huddled inside, behind the door, waiting. It slowly opened, rusty hinges protesting loudly. He lunged at the intruder, the pain in his damaged leg temporarily pushed aside. Caught by surprise, the figure in tattered field gray, crashed to the dirt floor with Sergei on top of him. The old man blindly reached for the neck, and using every ounce of strength he had, squeezed. The man in uniform struggled weakly. His coalscuttle helmet rolled off to one side. He’s only a boy, Sergei thought, like my Arkady. H...

I could find a few good reasons not to do it if it weren't for that last phrase. After all, there are some people who just aren't lovable and others who don't deserve to be forgiven. " Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other… " —Ephesians 4:32. You can almost hear the "buts" rising from cheap seats. "But you don't know my boss, my wife, my husband, my relatives, my next-door-neighbour, my…" "But surely Paul didn't mean everyone all the time?" "But we're talking Paul here—I'm not Paul." "But that's only if they are compassionate and forgiving first, right?" It's that final phrase that robs me of all my excuses for not being compassionate and forgiving. " …just as in Christ God forgave you. " He showed me compassion and forgave me while I was his worst enemy. He shows me compassion and forgiveness everywhere, anytime, under all circumstances. If he tells me I c...

It's like a splinter under a fingernail. Why does God bless those who curse Him, those who don't follow Him, those who deny Him? Especially annoying are those people who refuse Him and reject us. He should zap them, shouldn't He? Punish them in the here and now rather than waiting for the thereafter? Why does He bless them, especially when He doesn't always bless us? Our minds are often stuck in the mud of earth, the grime that siphons compassion from our souls. God's view is loftier. He thinks in eternal terms, always working to encourage the wayward to find their way to Him. When we are tempted to lash out at those who defy God and hold us in contempt, it's a good thing to turn our eyes heavenward, think eternally as God does and ask ourselves what we can do to bless those who curse Him and us. What can we do to help them find their way to God? " …I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in he...