Sunday, June 21

It’s Father’s Day. Not a religious holiday but one that is recognized throughout the United States. I’ll be celebrating with my own father as I’m sure many of you will. But not everyone will be eager for that opportunity. Several years ago, I was teaching a confirmation class about the Ten Commandments. The subject for the day was the Fourth Commandment, “Honor your father and your mother.” One boy in the class asked very adamantly “Why should we?!?”

I knew things weren’t good in the boy’s home. But still, I was shocked to hear his words. After class, we had a little chat. The boy told me his mom was pretty nice, but his dad was really mean to everyone. After I found out that no one in the household was in any real danger, we prayed about it. I reassured him he could come to me at any time to talk about it.

The boy’s family moved away not long after that. The boy is all grown up now and I’ve heard that he’s married and is a father himself to two young children. I think about him often and wonder if I could have done more to help. I’m reminded of Jesus talking with the disciples after the resurrection. They were thrilled to see him but yet some doubted. But Jesus said to them, “Remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” (Matthew 28:20b) These words of comfort are for us today, too. No matter what circumstance you may find yourself in, Jesus promises to be with us always, no matter what.

Prayer: Dear Heavenly Father, We thank you today for our fathers. But most of all, we thank you for your promise to be with us all the time. Help us to find comfort in those words. AMEN

Monday, June 22

Today is the first full day of summer – yippee!! Yesterday, on June 21, very early in the morning, the sun reached its northern-most point. There are more minutes of daylight now than any other time of year. Locations within the Arctic Circle are experiencing the “midnight sun” where it is light outside around the clock. I love summertime when the weather is warm and the days are long. Any thoughts of mittens and boots and snow shovels are far from my mind. And yet, no matter what the weather is like around us, we can be walking in “the light” all year round.

Jesus said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness but will have the light of life.” (John 8:12) What a huge promise that is for us! Think about what it’s like when you have to walk somewhere in the dark. You stick your hands out in front of you, trying to feel obstacles, taking tiny, shuffling steps so you don’t trip and fall because you’re just not sure what dangers may be right in front of you. Our lives can be like that, with scary, unknown things to get in our way. But Jesus has promised to be like a huge flashlight, turning darkness into light, helping us to find our way when we’re unsure about where we’re going.

Prayer: Be a light to us, Lord. Help us to follow you. Continue to guide us. We ask these things in your most Holy Name. AMEN

Tuesday, June 23

I came across a colorful poster with this quote on it: “The world in which you were born is just one model of reality. Other cultures are not failed attempts at being you; they are unique manifestations of the human spirit.” (Wade Davis) I like what that says. Another way of saying it has become one of the catch-phrases of today: “It’s not all about you.” But I think Jesus said it even better when he said, “Love… your neighbor as yourself.” (Luke 10:27)

I’ve been trying to focus a little more on that in my life lately. I try to look at other people and tell myself, “God loves that person as much as he loves you.” It puts things in a different perspective. I don’t always remember it and I’m not sure I always believe it. But I’m trying. I even think sometimes that God has an easier time loving lots of other people more than me! But the important thing to remember is that when Jesus died on the cross for all of us, he leveled the playing field. He made us all equal. No one is higher up in importance than anyone else. Jesus paid the price for everyone’s forgiveness with his very life. So the very least we can do is try to love one another. After all, God loves us. And that’s good news!!

Prayer: Thank you, Jesus, for loving us. Help us love everyone else in the world as much as we love ourselves. AMEN

Wednesday, June 24

“The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who lived in a land of deep darkness – on them light has shined… For a child has been born to us, a son given to us; authority rests upon his shoulders; and he is named Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” (Isaiah 9:2,6)

Six months from today is Christmas Eve! And this passage will be read during Christmas Eve worship. It always brings tears to my eyes to hear it or read it, even now in June. It’s so incredible to me that the prophet Isaiah wrote this passage, talking about the birth of Jesus, about 800 years before Jesus was born! One of the jobs that prophets had was to give people hope; people who were beaten down by the circumstances in their lives; people who didn’t know that God was at work in their lives. These people needed a message of hope and the promise of the Prince of Peace - Jesus! It was just what they needed.

Now, about three thousand years later, we know that Isaiah’s words came true. Jesus was born and he still brings hope to the world. It’s something we can celebrate every day of the year. Merry Christmas!

Prayer: Dear God, we are so grateful that you sent your son to be born to bring hope to a broken world. Help us realize that your gift of hope is for us every day of the year, not just at Christmas. AMEN

Thursday, June 25

Last year my husband and I traveled out west on vacation. One of my favorite places ended up being Zion National Park in Utah. The scenery was spectacular and the history was interesting. One of the main points of interest is a triple rock formation called “Court of the Patriarch.,” named by a Methodist minister. He was referring to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob in the Old Testament. These three huge red peaks tower over the river far below and are a sight to behold.

I’m not sure I would have thought of naming the peaks after those three well known Biblical figures. But upon reflection, it’s a very fitting image. Three generations of God’s people – Abraham, his son Isaac, and Isaac’s son Jacob – standing tall against the elements.

Can the same be said for us? Do we stand tall against adversity, against those who try to put us down because we believe in God? Jesus encourages us to do just that. “Blessed are you when people revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.” (Matthew 5:11-12)

Prayer: Dear Savior, it’s sometimes hard to stand up for you. There are people who make fun of us and lie about us because we know you. Help us stand tall, Lord. Help us to keep on loving you. AMEN

Friday, June 26

My son Shawn and his black lab Indy lived with us for several years before Shawn got married and built a house near ours. Indy still comes to visit now and then. She knows the trail through the woods well and can always find a doggy treat at “grandma’s” house. Recently when Shawn & Indy were visiting and it was time to go home, Shawn said “Let’s go home and go to bed” and Indy promptly went and laid down in Shawn’s old bedroom down the hall. In her mind, that was “home” as much as her new house!

Do you feel the same way about heaven? Do you think of it as a place to go “home” to? Jesus has promised us that he is preparing a place for us when we die. “And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, so that where I am, there you may be also.” (John 14:3) It’s good to know that no matter what our hectic lives throw at us, no matter how tough things get, and even no matter how happy we might be, Jesus has prepared a place for us that is without hardship, pain, or evil, and better than anything we can imagine.

Prayer: God of heaven and earth, thank you for loving us so much that you are preparing a special place for us so we can be with you forever. We want to be with you, Lord. When it is time, please call us home. AMEN

Saturday, June 27

One of my favorite sounds is that of a robin singing. I yearn for it all winter and I rejoice in it every time I hear it – sometimes beginning as soon as 4:30 a.m.! It never ceases to amaze me that robins seemingly sing just because it’s daytime, just because they can. We should take a lesson from the robin. We have so many things to be joyful about but we don’t often let our joy show - like a child who jumps in a mud puddle for shear joy, or a baby laughing out loud when someone makes a silly noise, or a crowd of people who spontaneously “Oooo” and “Ahhh” at fireworks. “Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the earth; break forth into joyous song and sing praises…Let the sea roar, and all that fills it; the world and those who live in it. Let the floods clap their hands; let the hills sing together for joy at the presence of the Lord.” (Psalm 98:4,7-9a).

Prayer: Dear Lord, Thank you for the song of the robin. Thank you for the gift of laughter. Thank you for all the joys you have given us. AMEN