Read: Luke 24:13-31
“I know what I'm doing. I have it all planned out—plans to take care of you, not abandon you, plans to give you the future you hope for.” Jeremiah 29:11 (The Message)
I pulled into the parking garage and walked down the breezeway toward the Margot Perot tower of the Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital Plano. I pressed the elevator button to travel to the third floor. This was not any ordinary hospital visit this time. I was about to enter the neo-natal intensive care unit to visit our newest family member of First United Methodist Church.
I arrived at the nurse’s station of the secure wing of the floor and signed in to enter the unit. The RN checked my ID and authorized me to go down the hall and enter through the large locked double doors. I passed through the entrance and other nurses cordially greeted me. I approached the hand-wash station, scrubbed my hands, applied anti-bacterial gel, and began walking down the hall, passing cubicles that held tiny pre-mature babies. Each child had his or her own story to tell. In some of the rooms, moms cuddled their little bundles. Several of the infants had tubes and wires attached to them to monitor their vitals or provide nourishment. But that did not matter to the moms or the nurses who were busily dedicated and committed to caring for some of the smallest human beings created by God.
I rounded the corner slowly and asked for more directions to the little person I wanted to visit. The nurse directed me toward a room with a crib…and there she was…a tiny bundle of joy, the newest family member of FUMC. Indeed, there she was - a 4 lb 9 oz, 17 inch little girl, wrapped in swaddling with a brown satin bow on her beautiful, hair-adorned head. Tiny nose, tiny mouth, and precious, quietly sleeping eyes… She was a precious creation of God who was brought into this world with a plan, a hope, and a future (Jeremiah 29:11). Here was little Marlie Rae Krueger, being cared for by a dedicated nurse, but most importantly, a dedicated, committed, and loving mom who was on a dinner break.
As I gazed upon Marlie and said hi to her, I could only imagine what great things were in store for her. Marlie was birthed into a wonderful and loving extended family. Even though Marlie could not speak, I imagined she might say, “Thank you for loving me. Thank you for giving me a life with a plan, with a hope, and a future.”
As I gazed upon Marlie, I was overwhelmed with the thought that God loves us in the same manner. We were born with a plan, a hope, and a future. God cares for us in the same manner, if we will only realize it.
Later, I saw Marlie’s momma, Kaylie, touch Marlie with gentle hands, assuring her that momma was there with her and caring for her. I remembered that God does the same for us if only we will recognize his touch. Jesus said “Let the little children come to me and do not hinder them, for such is the kingdom of God.” Oh, if we could only remember.
Prayer: O Lord Jesus, thank you for reminding us to come as a child and feel your touch of assurance and care and a plan with a hope and a future. Bless Marlie, Kaylie, and family, as you nurture and touch them with your care. Amen.
Wednesday, September 16, 2009
Tuesday, September 15, 2009
Opened Eyes
Read: Luke 24:13-31
“When he was at the table with them, he took bread, gave thanks, broke it and began to give it to them. Then their eyes were opened and they recognized him, and he disappeared from their sight.” Luke 24:30-31 (NLT)
It is amazing to me how often I have participated in receiving Holy Communion over my fifty-seven plus years. As a child, there was the small plate with wafers & the tray with tiny cups of juice that passed between adults down the pew. As I sat with my mother & siblings, my mother gave each of us a wafer & cup. Everyone ate the wafer at the same time & did the same with the cup. I can still hear the cups being placed into the wooden racks on the back of the pews.
Then there were the times of coming forward to the base chaplain & his assistants at the Navy Chapel to receive the matzo dipped into the chalice. I also remember the times of gathering around a massive altar and kneeling on the rail that surrounded it. The pastor & assistants went from one celebrant to another giving the bread & small cup before saying a few words of scripture & a table blessing before all stood to return to their seats.
I recall the times gathered at Isle Du Bois State Park on an all-church campout during Saturday evening worship. One at a time, we received a piece of home-baked bread and & juice to fill our souls before we filled our bellies at a delectable potluck picnic.
More recently, I stood in the chancel area observing the people coming to the front of FUMC Whitesboro to receive their piece of bread, dip it in the chalice, going to the kneeling rail to pray, & returning to their seats.
In each of these situations, everyone was invited to partake in the mystery of the faith, “Christ has died, Christ is risen, Christ will come again.” No matter how much we understand the meaning & significance of this blessed celebration, we still know that there is mystery. How could the Son of God give his lifeblood for our sin? How could the Son of God love us unlovable people so much to do what He did?
These questions became evident this week as I was in Carter Blood Center in northwest Plano prepared to give double platelets. I discovered that I was unable to give platelets because I had taken my daily preventative aspirin less than forty-eight hours previous. I was disappointed. However, the nurse at Carter said I could still give whole blood & be eligible for platelet donation in two weeks. So, I gave one unit of my whole blood as a gift of life for someone I do not know.
As the phlebotomist held up the bag for my unit donation, I saw the bag bulging with my blood. Wow, one unit of my blood for someone else, and Christ gave all of his. Part of the mystery of the faith overwhelmed me again. He gave all his blood. I realized again, that every time I came to the table, whether or not I understood or remembered, I celebrated that He gave it all.
We may recall a time we came to the Table of the Lord in the past or it may have been recently. However, this week there is a place at the table for me, you, & for all, again. May we celebrate with expectation the mystery of the faith, “Christ has died, Christ is risen, Christ will come again.” He gave it all.
Prayer: O Lord Jesus, prepare our hearts to receive Your gift of love, the mystery of the faith, again. Amen.
“When he was at the table with them, he took bread, gave thanks, broke it and began to give it to them. Then their eyes were opened and they recognized him, and he disappeared from their sight.” Luke 24:30-31 (NLT)
It is amazing to me how often I have participated in receiving Holy Communion over my fifty-seven plus years. As a child, there was the small plate with wafers & the tray with tiny cups of juice that passed between adults down the pew. As I sat with my mother & siblings, my mother gave each of us a wafer & cup. Everyone ate the wafer at the same time & did the same with the cup. I can still hear the cups being placed into the wooden racks on the back of the pews.
Then there were the times of coming forward to the base chaplain & his assistants at the Navy Chapel to receive the matzo dipped into the chalice. I also remember the times of gathering around a massive altar and kneeling on the rail that surrounded it. The pastor & assistants went from one celebrant to another giving the bread & small cup before saying a few words of scripture & a table blessing before all stood to return to their seats.
I recall the times gathered at Isle Du Bois State Park on an all-church campout during Saturday evening worship. One at a time, we received a piece of home-baked bread and & juice to fill our souls before we filled our bellies at a delectable potluck picnic.
More recently, I stood in the chancel area observing the people coming to the front of FUMC Whitesboro to receive their piece of bread, dip it in the chalice, going to the kneeling rail to pray, & returning to their seats.
In each of these situations, everyone was invited to partake in the mystery of the faith, “Christ has died, Christ is risen, Christ will come again.” No matter how much we understand the meaning & significance of this blessed celebration, we still know that there is mystery. How could the Son of God give his lifeblood for our sin? How could the Son of God love us unlovable people so much to do what He did?
These questions became evident this week as I was in Carter Blood Center in northwest Plano prepared to give double platelets. I discovered that I was unable to give platelets because I had taken my daily preventative aspirin less than forty-eight hours previous. I was disappointed. However, the nurse at Carter said I could still give whole blood & be eligible for platelet donation in two weeks. So, I gave one unit of my whole blood as a gift of life for someone I do not know.
As the phlebotomist held up the bag for my unit donation, I saw the bag bulging with my blood. Wow, one unit of my blood for someone else, and Christ gave all of his. Part of the mystery of the faith overwhelmed me again. He gave all his blood. I realized again, that every time I came to the table, whether or not I understood or remembered, I celebrated that He gave it all.
We may recall a time we came to the Table of the Lord in the past or it may have been recently. However, this week there is a place at the table for me, you, & for all, again. May we celebrate with expectation the mystery of the faith, “Christ has died, Christ is risen, Christ will come again.” He gave it all.
Prayer: O Lord Jesus, prepare our hearts to receive Your gift of love, the mystery of the faith, again. Amen.
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