ALL IN A DAY'S WORK

 

     In 2002, I took a job teaching English as a second language at a local middle school. One of the preps during my sixth year was a study skills course for recent immigrants. It was not just a study hall. The course I designed taught them skills to help them to be more productive in studying and helpful strategies for life as well.                                          One week I focused on time management. At the end of the week, the students wrote a letter describing their takeaway from our activities. Most of them remarked about their realization of how much time they wasted and that they wanted to be more intentional about what they spent their days doing. 

     I couldn’t help but reflect on this week from my past when I read chapter nine of Matthew today. This chapter records many different activities of Jesus all in one day. When I imagined the physical energy expended, the mental acuity, and the calm and well-thought-out replies to the many who flung their critical questions at him, I marvel. Then to add to this, his emotional state as he traversed discussions, teaching, and with such compassion he continuously reached out to the hurting masses to heal their infirmities or deliver them from demonic spirits that tormented them.

     These are just a few things recorded that he encountered in ONE day:

1. Jesus took a boat ride back to his own town.
2. Jesus came across a man who could not walk and he informed him first that his sins were forgiven, then he healed the paralytic despite being challenged by the teachers of the law 
3. He chatted a bit with a tax collector, then invited Matthew to follow him
4. Matthew invited Jesus to come over for something to eat. His house was full of non-believers in Yahweh.
5. Pharisees (religious scholars) came by and criticized him for eating with sinners, Jesus answered that the sick need a doctor, so how could he avoid them?
6. Later, John’s disciples caught up to Jesus and asked him why he and his disciples didn’t practice fasting. Jesus explained that while the bridegroom was with them it is normal to feast and when he is absent, then they would fast.
7. A rich ruler approached Jesus. he was a synagogue leader. His daughter was dead but full of faith he asked Jesus to raise her from the dead. Jesus told the ruler that his great faith in coming in belief would heal her. Jesus followed the ruler to his home but on the way…
8. A crowd was pressing in around him. The events of the day have gotten a lot of attention. Then suddenly, Jesus felt the healing power going out of him. He asked, “Who touched me?” Then when the woman identified herself and that for years she had been bleeding without it stopping, he told her, Take heart daughter, your faith has healed you." 
9. Jesus encountered a crowd loudly wailing, blowing pipes, and mourning outside the ruler’s home for the dead girl. The crowd mocked Jesus for going in to heal her, but that didn’t deter him. Jesus dismissed them and simply said,  "She is just sleeping." Then he went in and took the girl by the hand. She got up and went outside for all to see.
10. Two blind men came to Jesus and asked him to heal them. His simple question to them was, “Do you believe that I can heal you?” He told them that according to their faith, it would be done. They both are healed.
11. A man who was demon-possessed and mute was brought to Jesus. Jesus drove the demon out and the man began to speak normally. People marveled. Nothing like this had been seen before in Israel.

      I’m blown away. No wonder Jesus went off alone and took time to recharge physically, spiritually, and emotionally! I have to say that I have never had such a demanding schedule. Yet day after day, Jesus continued to be accessible to the populous that pressed in upon him for one more miracle, one more healing, one more teaching. He was filled with compassion for the people so he continued day in and day out doing good. 
     In verse thirty-six, the Bible says that Jesus went through ALL the towns and villages teaching in synagogues, preaching the good news of the kingdom, and healing EVERY disease and sickness. He was not driving around in his Lexus, flying his jet plane, riding a horse, or even being carried around in a carriage; but he walked the dusty roads, exposed to the elements.
     Jesus loved the people and had compassion for them. He ended up asking his disciples to pray for more workers because there were so many desperate people. He saw a need that far exceeded the time that he had.
      Wow. All in a day’s work. 
      This is what Jesus asked His followers to do. Go and sin no more. Feed my sheep. He gave us the authority to drive out evil spirits in the name of Jesus. We can speak to sicknesses and tell them to leave. We can speak healing for every disease and sickness in Jesus’ name. We can tell them the good news of the kingdom of God.
     These things should not be odd. They should not be something never seen before. These should be the signs that follow every believer.
     When I read this chapter several times, I saw myself wanting: there is so much to do. Jesus depends on all believers to go and do the same as he did. So open my eyes Lord and remind me to see them.      

Matthew 9:37-38

"The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few, Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field."

THE ROSE SAYS IT ALL

In the beginning of our trip to Cabo, I was presented with a perfect rose. It was lovely, full, well-shaped and very fresh. Someone took care to cultivate and raise the very best. It was placed in a glass  vase and graced the dining table in our suite that over looked the Sea of Cortez.

We arrived a bit tired and stressed from the pressures of work and life. My husband is in sales and everyday his paycheck depends on his performance and stamina when he hears, "No thank you."

Many of the sales people are so geared to work and sell each day, that it was difficult to put the phones aside and just face the five days of leisure while ignoring the urge to check in on new clients and to make sure all of their equipment was functioning.

Little by little relaxation took a grip and we were all in. We began to sense the wisdom of this rest: this disconnecting.

More at ease. More present. Full of positive vibes, energy, and inner strength from above. We emerged ready to embrace and to give out to others once again.

Just as on our first day, this pure white rose stood in all of its beauty but as time passed it actually increased in its fullness and charm.

The ebb and flow of life is what brought that about. 

Tide in, tide out. 

Sunrise, sundown.

Laughing, crying.

Giving up, trying.

Newborn to elder.

Alone, together, alone again.

Working hard on four cylinders, resting, reflecting, playing, relating, and planning the next steps ready to get at it and see familiar faces once again.

Starting to walk about with a new sense of fullness until it is time to draw back and refresh again.

Song of Songs 2:1 TPT

I am truly his rose, the very theme of his song. I'm overshadowed by his love, like a lily growing in the valley!

OBITUARY OF A HAMMOCK

There once was a green and orange hammock

Its striped colors stood out bright and bold

Nana unpacked, unraveled, hung it up quick

For Thanksgiving was just down the road.

The menu she wrote, then typed it all up

The groceries she shopped for and stocked

First measuring ingredients with measuring cup

Crimping crusts of pies bound for the oven, then stopped.

Resting she poured mugs of chamomile tea

Cut celery, spread cream cheese, bit with a crunch

Waving madly while hanging from two sturdy trees

Was that frolicking hammock just watching her munch.

Now the cook gazed, took note of the show

Urgently, the animated fabric continued to coax

Sensing gran's love to swing, a hammock in the know

Delighted as she walked out under the oaks.

Pulling the edge then backing into her seat

Little used, this cloth should bear her weight

Uttering a deep sigh, What a treat!

Laying down to sway; it felt great.

At first the air fresh, but with the heat of the sun

Thoughts moved from this rest, right back to her list

So the swinging gran sighed, now finished with fun

And returned to her mixing, wooden spoon in her fist.

————————————————————————————

The colors of dawn shone bright from the east

First one in the shower, then drying her hair

It’s stuffing the turkey time, the day of the feast

Cutting up the potatoes, hubby sat in a chair.

Six hours later, sage and bread filled the air

Knockings then greetings soon in streamed them all

Ate up deviled eggs, dip, chips and pickles with care

A next round, the main course with veggies piled tall.

Soon big boys came hunting along with some dads

For turkey, gravy, all that their plates could bear

Not much was left when exited the lads

The third round: pies and cream was the fare.

Adult conversations flowed and varied by group

The youngest ran upstairs for toys in their boxes

While the teens and tweens took off like a troupe

Out the back door in a flash: prancing wild foxes.

With a xeriscaped yard, and not much to do

The brightly striped hammock got their attention

Thrilled that these grands came, not just a few

Swinging began; squealing escaped from the tension.

But nobody spoke of what quite happened next

Whether play on the hammock lasted long or short

“The dog,” all sent to Nana with answers by text

Another sent video evidence, kids in riotous cavort.

Butterscotch, the bounding pup got the blame

For the useless sad hammock that day in half tore

Because she was frisky so young and not tame

For she jumped, chewed, and rough housed outdoors.

But Nana just chuckled while her husband joined in

They both loved their family and were glad for the fun

Was this the third or fourth hammock to pass? with a grin

Another great Thanksgiving feast with family was done.