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.

For some reason we’ve had some 70-plus-degree days here in February. Not exactly north Texas winter weather temps. I’m not complaining. I enjoy walking around the neighborhood without a heavy jacket or a hat. This unusually warm spell won’t last long, so I’m taking advantage of it. The lake is down the hill from my house. I haven’t walked down there yet because I’m not sure I could make it all the way back up that hill. But that’s life, right, small hills today lead to higher hills tomorrow. 

The doorbell rang. It was almost dark and I wasn’t expecting anyone. My 9-year-old great grandson smiled at me through the glass in the front door. How sweet of him to visit! Of course, he knows I always have his favorite cookies at my house. As I hugged and gave him a kiss on top of his head, I thought how precious he is to me! Then I thought if I feel this way, as a flawed human being, how much more does God, who IS Love, love each one of us individually as his most precious child!

A pastor said the young people in his church were using the term touch grass to express their faith in a real, caring God. Whenever someone grew anxious about a situation or expressed a doubt, a friend would say, “Touch grass!” Sometimes we all need to be reminded that a powerful, creative Being is in control. He not only created the grass that covers the solid earth we walk on, but he also created us and all the rest of the universe. Touch grass, he can handle it.

When I first wake up, my brain starts off the day pinballing various thoughts around. Some are good but many are memories of yesterday’s anxieties and failures. I push out my negative thoughts, get up, thank God for another day and fill my mind with the day’s business. Worrying about the physical, things I can see and touch, reminds me most everything I‘m concerned about is temporary. It’s not long for this world. It’s not real. What’s really real is what’s going to be here forever.

Soft, fluffy flakes drifted past my windows covering the grass below. The little red-headed boy across the street stood out in the road letting snowflakes melt on his tongue. Snow in north Texas, real snow, not the icy mix we usually get in the winter! Kids could make snowballs and build snow men. Scooping up the white flakes, they were able to mold the snow however they wished. May we be as flexible and moldable under God’s gracious hand.

Terms once complimentary can be turned into something derogatory. One of those terms is bleeding hearts. Once the words were used to describe a sincere desire to help those less fortunate. They were associated with the love and generosity of our Savior. Now they are used to insult those who wish to support the needy in our world as overly sympathetic simpletons. How have we come to this! We who are charged with words from our Savior himself to care for the stranger, fatherless and widows among us! Lord, help us!

As believers Scripture tells us we are the body of Christ, but sometimes I wonder about myself. When I look at myself it’s difficult to imagine such a thing. I’m far from perfect and Christ is absolutely perfect. Can there be any faulty cells in Christ’s Body? I know the answer; there are no faulty cells. That’s what this season is all about. He came as a human in the same way as us, a helpless baby, and lived and died in perfect submission to his Father. He knew we couldn’t live perfectly so he did it for us. He is perfect and in him we are perfect too. Thank you, Lord!