When I think about how good life is when you’re in relationship with Jesus, it makes me want to grab people by the arms and tell them what they’re missing. Of course, if I did, I’d probably be arrested or put away somewhere. How wonderful it is to be a child of God! He’s always with us, no matter the situation we find ourselves in, good or bad. He’s always there to help us carry the burdens of life, which can be overwhelming at times. His support and guidance are available to us whenever we need them. He’s with us in our joys and in our sorrows. What a God we serve!

The pastor spoke on compassion last Sunday. Another week, another violent death in the headlines, a sermon so appropriate in this country and in our world of hateful division. Through the Scriptures he referred to passages showing Christ’s compassion for the suffering he saw around him. Even though in torturous pain, gasping for breath on the cross, Jesus had compassion on the men suffering beside him, compassion on his mother weeping below him and compassion on those who were crucifying him. Can we, in our fellowship with him, do any less.

While reading through the oh so beautiful Psalms 103, these words stood out to me. “…who crowns you with steadfast love and mercy” (verse 4, NRSV). What a lovely thought that those who follow the Lord wear brilliant crowns of love and mercy, bestowed on them by the King himself. These words made me ask myself, do I have my crown on today? Can others see the light of Christ shining out love and mercy from me? How about you?

How odd to describe God’s deliverance in these terms. “Steadfast love and faithfulness will meet; righteousness and peace will kiss each other” (Psalms 85:10, NRSV). But then I remembered in the Middle East and many other areas of the world, kisses on the cheek are a common way of greeting one another. This was a poetic way of showing God’s all-encompassing plan of salvation for his people. “Faithfulness will spring up from the ground, and righteousness will look down from the sky” (verse 11). A lovely way to describe his overwhelming love for humankind!

Proverbs 16:3, NIV, “Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and he will establish your plans.” Wise advice, but how many times have I made my plans first and then asked God to bless them. And, how has that worked for me? Not always well, I’m afraid. Why would God bless what would be unwise for me to do, something that might even be hurtful to me or to others. We should plan, of course, but in relationship with our Father’s will. He is always open to hear what we are planning because he always has our best interests in mind.

Today not your best day? Having a few problems? The church in Thessalonica was under heavy persecution when Paul wrote: “Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you” (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18, NRSV). You would think he could have written something more comforting, something more compassionate to those suffering Christians. But as we know the apostle Paul was no stranger to suffering. He wasn’t telling them, or us, anything he hadn’t already told himself. Thank you, Lord, for always being there, for never abandoning your people.

Do you ever forget how old you are? I did it again. I carried a large clay flower pot down my back steps without holding on to the rail. It’s only a couple of steps but with the heavy pot, I got unbalanced and started falling toward the concrete driveway. Miraculously enough, I stumbled ahead enough to right myself and didn’t fall. I thanked God for having mercy! Psalm 37:23, NRSV: “Our steps are made firm by the Lord, when he delights in our way; though we stumble, we shall not fall headlong, for the Lord holds us by the hand.”

One of my great grandchildren was baptized last Sunday. She wanted to be baptized earlier, but her parents felt she should wait a little while and be sure she understood her commitment. Why do you want to be baptized, they asked. “Because Jesus said I should,” she replied. This straightforward answer is how children think. There’s no reasoning around the simple words of Jesus. If he says we should do something, then we should do it. No wonder Jesus said the kingdom of God belongs to such as these.

As I look out my patio door, nothing is moving in my backyard. Usually squirrels are racing around and birds are flitting through the branches of the trees. Not today. I don’t blame them as it’s 102 degrees and we’re under a bad air quality alert too. Too much for me to challenge as I stay safely in my air-conditioned cocoon of a house. But not everyone is so fortunate. Painters are still out there painting the house across the street. No matter the temperature, other workers are at their jobs doing the same today. And, what about the homeless! Lord, have mercy!

Be strong. Be courageous and wait for the Lord, says the psalmist (Psalms 31:24, NRSV). If you’re like me that’s not always the easiest. It’s difficult to be patient. Sometimes I think my prayer requests are urgent and need to be resolved immediately. Please, Lord, it’s an emergency! But I’ve learned what I believe is a crisis is not necessarily so. Sometimes, yes, but not always. God looks at the overall picture for the most good for all concerned. Be strong. Wait for the Lord. His timing is always the best.