My neighbors have a new baby, their first. She’s beautiful but she sleeps all day and keeps them awake at night. They’re both sleep deprived. When they told me, I commiserated about how that’s pretty normal with newborns, but I didn’t offer any advice. Although I know quite well how to handle that situation, I also know not to offer advice unless it is asked. I remember as a new mother I knew it all. I required people to disinfect their hands with alcohol before touching my first child, even my own mom! Needless to say, after one or two more little ones I lightened up.

When I needed some shelves painted in my guest room, the painters brought their own music with them. As they prepped the room for painting, I enjoyed the music too. Sometimes one would sing along and the others would join in. I’ve studied Spanish for years but still I’m not fluent. These guys talk fast and I only catch a few words now and then. But I do understand music makes these hard workers happy. And, I’m happy too as they sing, laugh and joke with one another. Music is like that.

Yes, he was a petty thief but Judas was also in a hurry. Why doesn’t Jesus get on with conquering the Romans and starting his kingdom? He had seen the miracles. He knew how powerful the Messiah was. What’s the delay? Jesus’ other disciples also had a wrong idea about what Jesus’ true purpose was on earth, but Judas thought he could manipulate Jesus by putting him on the spot. He couldn’t imagine the outcome. This made me think, how often have I been impatient in prayer? How often have I tried to manipulate Jesus?

The Scriptures say our prayers are like sweet incense to God. Our sins have odors too, but not good ones.  I would think the sin of pride has a distinctly foul odor. Pride is a sin that besets us all. Are any of us not walking around rather smelly when it comes to pride? As for me, I have caught myself being proud of my humility! When you think of yourself as more righteous than others, remember the Pharisees!

When we returned from a trip as a child, I would pretend to be asleep in the car so my daddy would have to carry me into the house. I loved the comforting feeling of his strong arms around me. If we were in unfamiliar or crowded places, I never felt afraid because he was holding my hand. I experience that same reassuring feeling now when I go to my heavenly Father. He’s always there for me, leading me by his hand and holding me safe in his arms.

Did Jesus’ disciples ever feel they had more common sense than Jesus? I think you know the answer. You can tell by their words and actions they thought their rabbi might be a little naïve in how he taught and how he acted toward others. Going the extra mile, turning the other cheek, forgiving and loving your enemies, it sounds nice but who does that! This is the real world we’re talking about. But before we throw stones, are we, his followers today, any different.

She was 11 years old, going to school in a small town with a lot of others her age. Her teachers didn’t notice how sad she was. Neither did her parents. She didn’t talk about the kids telling her that her parents would be picked up by the authorities and sent back to Mexico, leaving her behind. Or that she didn’t belong in this country and she should leave. She was just a little girl bullied by mean kids expressing what they probably heard at home. Nobody noticed until it was too late.

In the biblical account of the Roman centurion coming to Jesus to heal his servant, I think what a powerful example this is. What did it take for this powerful man to humiliate himself before one of Rome’s subjugated subjects to ask a favor. The Romans thought of Jews as people who caused all kinds of problems because of their religious fervor. They, no doubt, used derogatory terms to describe these troublesome Jews. Yet here he came, a proud Roman citizen, humbling himself, pleading his case before a lowly Jewish rabbi. Humility and faith, they go hand in hand.

The wind struck my house, pressure washing it with rain. Not quietly either. Thunder and lightning added sound and light. Oh, Lord, please no hail! It’s nearing springtime in Texas and with spring comes strong winds, including tornadoes and hail. In Acts 2:2, the Holy Spirit is likened to a strong violent wind. But the Holy Spirit is much more powerful than the winds howling outside right now. As my little house is struck by the strong gusts, I think of how capable God is of protecting and caring for us.

Finally a parking space! As I pulled in I noticed a dirty dented up car with a cracked windshield parked in front of me. They look as if they could use a blessing I thought. So I took one of the envelopes with some cash I keep in the car for such situations and slid it under their windshield wiper. When I went back to my car to get my shopping bag, I saw I was parked in a no-parking space! No wonder it was open. I love it! God wanted a blessing for those people! He works in mysterious and wondrous ways.