Little Thoughts

Years ago I read a book entitled "The Tao of Pooh." I remember very little about it, other than the concept of wisdom we can gain from simple beings and children's stories. (That Pooh is Winnie the Pooh, by the way.)

As I've aged, I've found more and more wisdom in the simple stories of my childhood, or in the videos of my man/child, Chad.

I've mentioned before, Bambi's growing awareness of others around him, in his comments to his mother, "We're not the only deer in the forest, you know." Another of my favorites is when he asks her, "What are we going to do today?" There is such exuberance and excitement in his voice. That's how I want to start each day.

One that has been in my thoughts a lot recently is from Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer. Rudolph and his pals find themselves on the Island of Misfit Toys. I've come to realize that that is a metaphor for the church.

Christ came to save sinners. How many of us know people who afraid to bring their totally dysfunctional relatives to church because they're afraid of what other will think or how they'll treat them? Friends, this just shouldn't be.

The little church in Marina is becoming a mini-haven for families with autistic children and other disabilities. I love this. It is our own little Island of Misfit Toys. And it then reminds me that autism is only one "quirk." I have those things about me that make me "misfit" as well. Those things are much more a hindrance in my spiritual growth than autism is.

If there is one thing that I know beyond all doubt, it is that:
"Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners - of whom I am the worst." (I Tim. 1:15)

"Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift!" (2 Cor. 9:15)

Prayers

I was going to blog about something else today. But I changed my mind. The other subject was important to me, but this seems more pressing.

I've been a praying person lately. That doesn't mean that I'm not a praying person normally. But many things have come to my attention or have happened in my life or the lives of those around me that make me stop short and say, "God help us. There is no other who can."

I know at least one family that is crippled with dysfunction (and no, I'm not talking about my own). I've gone to God and asked for healing and mercy on their behalf.

I know a man who desperately wants to be God's ambassador faithfully in his home area in Ontario. I daily ask God to go with him, empower him, use him, build him up. I pray for that work to flourish and for God to be glorified.

I've prayed my own desperate prayers for medical concerns for members of my family and friends. Cancers and aneurysms hit people of all ages and backgrounds...little ones, women with children, empty nesters, people in far away lands like former Soviet Republics. And only God has the real power to heal or bless or strengthen.

I have friends who are moving, who are seeking new homes and churches. My prayer is that God will manifest Himself to them so vividly that some of the trepidation of unfamiliar surroundings (especially for little people with special needs) will fade away.

This morning I was reminded of Psalm 122:6-9

"Pray for the peace of Jerusalem:
May those who love you be secure.
May there be peace within your walls
and security within your citadels.
For the sake of my brothers and friends,
I will say, 'Peace be within you.'
For the sake of the house of the Lord our God,
I will seek your prosperity."

This has become terribly important to me. Jerusalem is a special place for a lot of reasons, but one of those is because of the mission of the MFO. The webpage, http://www.mfo.org gives some information, but in a nutshell the Multinational Force and Observers is an 11 country coalition put in place to help enforce the Israel-Egypt Peace Treaty of 1979. They have been there since 1982. The US is one of those countries. People know we have troops in Iraq. Well, some of us have loved one in other places too. Peace in Jerusalem means safety for my husband. Some of you may know that terrorists hit Monday in the resort area of Dahab, killing almost 2 dozen people and injuring countless others (Americans among them). They hit again today in the north...a quick check of CNN World News will give more information. They were targeting our peacekeeping group. Thankfully none of the peacekeepers were injured (the two terrorists, however, died). Personally, I believe that the damage was lessened by the diligence of the organization there and by the prayers of God's faithful. You see, there is only One who is big enough to truly protect those we love. And I will continue to,"for the sake of my brothers and friends (and most importantly to me...my husband)," pray for the peace of Jerusalem.

Most of you who read my blog are pray-ers too. So I beseech you, please keep Ron in your prayers. I love you all.