Creation Grabs our Attention

Even now, in this momentary pause
the sparrow’s sweet morning
song enters my breath, thus
joy and thanksgiving fill my soul.

Even more happiness arises
at home when my husband
and I delight in the crazy antics
of squirrels named Rocky and Little Girl.

Not to be outdone the warbler’s get
wound up and warble
all at once in a wise move to make us
chuckle even louder than before.

When appreciating Mother
Nature every day,
the voice of Creator nudges me,
“Thank you, dear one, for being you.”

Liberated from turmoil and judgment
in an unsafe world in which
humanity dwells, my heart reflects
the love I’m now experiencing.

Sensing that all of life is good and
and holy, I breathe in
our Divine Creator’s peace and
stay quiet for as long as possible.

Luke 11:5-10, Common English Bible

11 5 Jesus also said to them, “Imagine that one of you has a friend and you go to that friend in the middle of the night. Imagine saying, ‘Friend, loan me three loaves of bread 6 because a friend of mine on a journey has arrived and I have nothing to set before him.’ 7 Imagine further that he answers from within the house, ‘Don’t bother me. The door is already locked, and my children and I are in bed. I can’t get up to give you anything.’ 8 I assure you, even if he wouldn’t get up and help because of his friendship, he will get up and give his friend whatever he needs because of his friend’s brashness. 9 And I tell you: Ask and you will receive. Seek and you will find. Knock and the door will be opened to you. 10 Everyone who asks, receives. Whoever seeks, finds. To everyone who knocks, the door is opened.

Faithful Living

You may remember that in earlier years, frequently a neighbor would knock on the door and ask to borrow an egg or ½ cup of sugar so the cake could be finished without going to the grocery store on an unscheduled day. Good neighbors would bring a slice or two of cake over to repay you for your kindness. One of my favorite customs involves a crockpot that was borrowed when out of town visitors were expected for dinner. If you were lucky, it was filled with good food upon being returned!

In today’s world there is less exchanging of pantry items but connections are still strong. In the small circle where our townhome was built, reside male and female single folks (at the opposite ends of ages and the political spectrum), a three generation African American family, an older Lutheran couple, and my husband and me (both actively serving UMC’s while retired). Even though we are very different and do not know what secrets others are not sharing, we still rely on one another and never fail to give a friendly wave and greeting. It makes it feel like a safer place to live.

Wherever we are, we have the potential to create a better world through faithful living. Whether gratefulness is sensed in nature or relationship with neighbor, we can name it as God opening the door and providing what we need. Jesus said, “Those who ask will receive, and those who seek will find.”

We offer our prayers that you will know you are found in the fullness of God, dear ones.

Rev. Marta Wheeler

To view or download a PDF version of this devotional, click here:  Devotional MW 2022-07-20