Greetings to you in the name of, as Isaiah’s describes him, the Suffering Servant, Jesus Christ – THE Risen Saviour! Another typical autumn morning – a little uncertainty, maybe a surprise or two, and likely better than you expect! I do trust that you have had a good week…perhaps some time for yourself to reflect on your personal growth and maybe time to pray for your family/friends. Please get excited about the weekend, especially gathering with the Christian family for worship. Today I will be praying for you, asking Father to soften your heart, open your arms, and guard your thoughts.
We have had a busy summer and the weather seems to have made it longer than usual. We have come to a new season – a season to slow down and notice what has been happening in our lives. In days gone by, as a teenager I spent all my free time helping a farmer down the road…my first real job experience. After the harvest and summer activities there were two jobs that I didn’t look forward to…mending fences – i am talking about rail fences and picking stones in freshly worked fields. I was always amazed at how fences could get broken. I suppose they got neglected during the busy days. It was also interesting to see all the stones come to the surface, stones that had been covered over by the crops. It was hard work but necessary if you want to keep the fields in good condition.
I have been noticing that the fields…the lives of people around me…need some attention. It seems that there are a few fences that need to be mended, a gate that has been shut needs to be opened, a corner post needs to be fortified, and a few relationship rails need shoring up. Yes, there are a few stones that need to be removed…harsh words, bad attitudes, hasty choices, ill-thought decisions, and some unloving actions. With the long range weather forecast predicting a snowy, cold winter, we just might need to have the support and strength and encouragement of friends, family, and family.
I found some good words to give you … be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing one another in love. Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit – put off falsehood and speak truthfully – do not let the sun go down on your anger…do not give the devil a foothold…do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouth…build others up…get rid of all bitterness, rage, and anger, brawling and slander…be kind and compassionate…forgiving each other…be filled with the Spirit…speak to one another with psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs…always giving thanks…submit to one another out of reverence for Christ…do not grieve the Holy Spirit…listen to one another…put on the wardrobe that God gave you-compassion, kindness, humility, quiet strength, discipline, even-temper, content with second place, quick to forgive…and regardless of what else you put on, wear love. It’s your basic, all-purpose garment. Never be without it. — selected from Ephesians and Colossians.
Let us make a point to look at our fields…and perhaps when we have everything in order we might get an opportunity to help someone else.
Have a blessed weekend!