Like a duck

"You know, Jan, she would be very upset to think she’d hurt your feelings." Dick’s statement to me as I vented my frustration led to my decision to develop the "be a duck and let it roll off your back" philosophy. This view of life has helped me navigate the waters of inconsiderate and even rude comments. I have learned to consider the intent of the offender. When I’m honest with the situation, rarely has there been malcontent as the source of the comment. Rather just a situation where someone didn’t think before speaking or just didn’t know what to say. So most often, I just let the comments "roll" off of me. I realize I have the choice in how it will affect me. I can choose forgiveness or I can choose to be angry and bitter.

Most often, I have chosen to take refuge in the unconditional love and forgiveness of God. I’m afraid to list the times I have been inconsiderate and rude with my comments. God has forgiven me and most of those I have inadvertently offended have forgiven me. So I must make the choice to give others the same as has been given to me.

Deuteronomy 19:1-13 instructs the Israelites to designate cities of refuge. These cities were the destination of anyone who unintentionally kills a neighbor without malice or premeditation. The guilty party was safe while in a city of refuge from any vengenance by the deceased’s relatives. The shelter of the city of refuge was only available to those who were innocent of malice and premediation. The cities of refuge were for their protection but it was also for the protection of the victim’s family. Can you imagine how the world would have spiraled out of control if families were allowed to seek vengenance for each and every accidental death?

These verses indicate that this directive to prevent the guilt of shedding of innocent blood would benefit the Israelites in their lives in the new land. Previously they had been slaves and servants not in decision making control of their lives. In the new land, the Promised Land, they would be landlords and rulers of other people. They would become a people of influence and power.

The cities of refuge gave the Israelites the opportunity to make choices to live in a better world and not institute the principles of the life they had known in Egypt. God showed them how to create a "new world" that teaches mercy and forgiveness rather than anger and bitterness. God warns the Israelites, and me, that a world of vengenance and retaliation is not what God intends for the Promised Land. It will not go well in life without mercy and forgiveness as guiding principles.

In today’s world, too many of the unfortunate and evil circumstances stem from anger and bitterness. Too many people live as victims in this world and harbor bitterness, anger and hate which only leads to more bitterness, anger, hate and death.

Bitterness comes from refusing to seek protection in God’s cities of refuge that I have named

Unconditional Love,

Mercy,

Forgiveness,

Omnipotence, and

Grace.

I’m choosing to dwell, as much as possible, in these "cities" of refuge as I navigate life in this chaotic world. It will go well for me when I seek deliverance from the evils of this world in God’s "cities of refuge."

It's a new way

"Just watch what everyone else is doing."   A mother was giving her son advice for navigating the security procedure at the airport.  It was her adult son's first flight in many years.

Learning the skill of imitation is practically a means of survival in today's world.  Imitating behavior is how parents show the young how to function in the real world, outside the nest.  Imitation will make us feel comfortable in a new situation. Imitation influences how we dress, how we talk and too often our expectations in life.

When I read Deuteronomy 18:9-22 I jotted "Don't learn to imitate the detestable."  Again God was warning the Israelites that they were going to live in a strange land with strangers who practice strange worship.  He was very clear with the list of the evils that these strange people engage.

God emphasized listening.  Don't listen to those who practice sorcery and divination.  Do listen to the prophet He will raise up from among the Israelites.   God gave the qualifications for His prophet.  The prophet would be from the Israelites, not those other nations. The prophet is to speak the words given by God.  If the prophet speaks God's words, they will come true.  If the prophet speaks presumptuously they should not listen to him.

Imitation may be a handy skill but imitation can be dangerous when coupled with the drive to fit in with the crowd.  Just because all the other cars are driving ten+ miles over the speed limit doesn't mean I should imitate them.

Imitation must be yoked with wisdom.  I flew on a new airline just yesterday.  They had different boarding procedures. I listened to the announced instructions. Then I held back from being first to observe how it was done.  It was different but it certainly worked.  Both flights left on the exact posted time.

So it will go well for me in the life God has planned for me:

I must learn to imitate God's ways not the world's ways;

I must know God's word  to differentiate the evil practices of the world from God's ways;

I must know God's word to recognize and follow His prophets and leaders, not the loud false proclaimers of the world's ways. 

By learning God's word I will learn the survival technique of imitating Jesus.

*Don't learn from the world.

*Listen to God.

*Follow THE Leader.

Today as I post this thought, it is early Easter morning.  It's a new day.  The sting of the old is gone. The NEW has come.  I have new insight for a new day.  He is Risen!

Wrong pocket

"Ooops," I thought, "wrong pocket."  I had prepared a tip from my shuttle driver in advance.  I'd put it in my right pants pocket.  I had put the change from the $20 bill I used to buy a soda in my left pocket.  When the driver handed me my suitcase I emptied my left pocket. 

I didn't change the tip.  I learned long ago that too many people who work in the service industry suffer the brunt of judgmental and tight-fisted patrons.  I would rather be remembered as generous than cheap or stingy.

Others' livelihood depend on my generosity and obedience. 

I jotted this statement in my journal after reading Deuteronomy 18:1-8.  The Israelites are given instructions regarding the priests and their inheritance.  The whole tribe of Levi would be the priests and they would not receive a portion of the Promised Land as their inheritance.  Rather, their inheritance would be the offerings made to the Lord by the rest of the Israelites.  The Levites had a particular job, to stand before the Lord on behalf of the people, to minister at the place God selects for His Name.  The portions of the offerings that are to be the priests' share are listed specifically.  I'm not really familiar with the cuts of meat but I assume that they are the best to go along with the first fruits, new wine and oil.  The priests even get the first wool of the sheep shearing.

In today's world, we think we can determine everyone's worth and give according to their worth or deservedness.  Yet these verses remind me that only God determines worth.  These verses remind me to be obedient, because these verses are very specific about what to give and why.  Perhaps we like to think we are righteous and think we can alter our gifts by making judgments and evaluations.  I am instructed to bless others with the blessings I have received from God because He has directed my gifts not as I define the recipient's need, worth or service.

Perhaps these verses are another example of God's grace.  It appears to be unfair that the Levites do not receive land like the rest of the tribes.  The priests live off the gifts directed by God's grace.  God shows that even though it appears "unfair", He will provide for the Levites and in the best way.  It may appear to be unfair to give the best sacrifices to those who just minister in God's house, yet the Israelites were the benefactors of God's grace when they were delivered from Egypt and delivered to the Promised Land.

The Levites are my example to trust God for the needs of my daily life and remember He provides the best.  The Israelites are my example to be obedient and generous in my giving.

My shuttle driver benefitted from my $10+ error.  I have benefitted far more from God's immeasurable grace.  I am called to be obedient and share God's grace, even with my material wealth which God provided.

We are not the ones to evaluate God's grace.  We are to receive God's great grace and then share it as directed by God.  My words for today:  generous obedience.

I said NO to the coat!

 

I have always wanted a leather coat but never bought one or put it on my wish list.  Once I had the money in my hand.  I had decided I was going to buy a leather coat.  Then I read the tag with the feeding and care instructions.  Don't wear in the rain.  Buy a special lotion to treat on a regular basis.  Always hang up coat... etc.  Yikes my life was going to be controlled by a coat.  I ran from the store.

Deuteronomy 17:14-20 warns the Israelites of a future danger- the danger that blessings can lead their hearts away from God.  God knew that after they settled into the Promised Land, the Israelites would like a king just like the neighboring nations.  The king was to be an Israelite, not a foreigner.  The king was not to accumulate many horses, wives or silver and gold. The king was to write in his own hand a scroll of God's Law so he would have his personal copy to read daily.  If the king adhered to these guidelines he and his descendants would reign a long time.

These verses remind me that with blessings, there may come a threat to my spiritual life. 

Once we become comfortable in our new life, we want to fit in, instead of standing apart. We want what others have. 

I noticed the use of words like "a great number," "many" and "large"   God provides us with more than we need but we always want more or better.

As Queen of my days and stuff, I too often allow the responsibilities of caring for the details of my busy life to keep me from my personal daily study of God's word.  The Israelite kings were to write out their own copy even when they had a crowd of priests and Levites available.    I suspicion that too many of those kings made excuses of caring for and building their kingdoms for failing to keep the practice of personal daily study.

There is some danger in blessings. They might tempt me to go back to my old way of life ("Egypt") to deal with circumstances in my new life. They might tempt me to follow the world and to strive to be like everyone else. If I allow my "kingdom" of stuff, all blessings from God, to control my life, my heart will stray from the number one priority, my relationship with God.

To truly enjoy God's blessings in my life I will

* Avoid other influences, especially those foreign to a godly life and the pressure to conform to the world's ways. 

* Avoid excess.  I don't need more when God has given me more than I need.  He is very generous.

* Know and follow God's word by personal daily study of the Bible.

Don't jump with everyone else

"Everyone was doing it!"  Most children have used this excuse once.  Every parent has responded with "If everyone jumped off the Brooklyn Bridge, would you?" 

In a sense God was warning the Israelites not to do what everyone else would be doing in the new land.  In Deuteronomy 16:21-17:13, He was preparing them for a new environment with new challenges.  There would be people worshipping Asherah poles and sacred stones.  They would sacrifice the flawed and defective rather than the first and best.

God warns them not  to set up a wooden Asherah pole next to the altar built to God.  He knew they would be tempted to worship God in the world's way, not God's way.  These verses tell me that worship in the world's way is wrong.  We may think it will help us fit in, yet it will separate us from God.

These verses might be summed up simply as "do not practice evil."  The verses also give me some guidelines for prevention of slipping into false worship.

Get the facts. If the Israelites heard of fellow Israelites practicing false worship they were to investigate thoroughly.  They were to have two or three witnesses, not just one.  I need to know the facts but I also need to be very familiar with God's teaching.  I am to compare the facts with God's word.  If it is unclear to me, I should seek the advice of my spiritual leaders to clarify the matter.

Purge the evil completely.  Just because others are doing something, apparently with no dire consequences, I need to keep away if it is contrary to God's teaching.

It's not private.  We try to fool ourselves by thinking, "this is my personal business" but it's not.  Others will see how we act and express our relationship.  If we behave in a right manner, others will learn about God.  And God always knows our heart regardless of how we seek to hide, cloak, defend or justify our actions.

Today these verses remind me that one form of evil is false worship, worshipping in the world's way, not God's way.  This form of evil will separate me from God.  This form of evil is contagious and I must stop the spread of it by choosing to act according to God's ways.

I live in this world that tempts me to follow Self, Money and Power.  Just because the majority of the world worships those gods I am not going to prosper if I conform.  God has a better life planned for me.  If I adhere to God's ways I will have far more.  It may not be logical but it will be beneficial.

Deuteronomy tells me that it will go well for me in the "Promised Land" if I stick with God's ways. 

Fairness

"It's not fair."  My election victory had just been nullified. In college I ran as a candidate for one of six seats on an administrative council.  I was in the top six highest vote counts.  So I made it!  Yet after the  results were announced an upper administration official sent word that the seats on the council were to be three men and three women.  My spot was taken away and given to the man with the next highest count.  None of the candidates nor the students voting knew of this requirement.  Yet we did not have the authority to change the decision.

Years later I realize that in the scope of eternity this "injustice" really didn't matter.  I survived and probably saved myself some time and effort in meetings. 

I recalled the memory when I thought about justice reading Deuteronomy 16: 18-20.  The Israelites were given instructions to appoint judges to  judge the people fairly.  The judges were not to accept bribes, as the bribes would influence their wisdom.  The Israelites were told to follow justice ALONE so it would go well with them in the new land.

I thought about fairness.  As much as I can, I strive to treat others fairly.  I'd like to think that I will follow justice ALONE. 

Yet, Life is not fair.  Sadly, one of my roles as a parent, was to teach that Life is not fair.  Children need to learn this lesson, not as a commentary on the world, but rather so they will be equipped to deal with the circumstances of life in this world.

Life is not fair and neither is Grace.  God is not fair when He administers His Grace.  If I am completely honest, I do not deserve His salvation nor any of His gifts in my life.  Yet He gives to me, and you, because of His Great Love.

So I may rant against life when it is not fair but instead I should rejoice that God's Grace is not fair. God has given me far more than I deserve.

Today I am reminded that:

*  Whenever I am the decision maker, I will strive to treat others fairly;

* God's Grace has been lavished on me,  especially when I did not earn or deserve it; and

* Jesus alone is just. I was reminded over the weekend that "Jesus alone is just."  As I approach the challenges in my life, I will trust that God will see that justice prevails. 

Herb and Mabel

"I'm riding with Daddy in the BIG Truck!"  My two year old excitedly climbed into his car seat in the RV. (Don't worry it was in the olden days before kids weren't allowed in front seats.)  He loved being up high in the RV and passing cars.

We were using the Watanabes' RV.  Herb and Mabel were members of our church and offered us the use of the RV.  We used it on several occasions for trips to San Francisco and San Diego.  I drove our little car  and Adam wanted nothing to do with riding in a lowly car with Mom when Dad and the BIG truck were an option.

I remembered the Watanabe's when I read Deuteronomy 16:13-17. These verses describe the Festival of Tabernacles.  The Israelites were to celebrate for 7 days after gathering the produce of the threshing floor and the winepress.  They were told to be joyful at their festival and to share the joy with everyone from their children to foreigners.  They were to bring a gift  to the Lord in proportion to the way God had blessed them.

These verses made me think that God tells us to enjoy His generous gifts as if they were ours, just as the Watanabes.  When I asked myself when I had been loaned something and encouraged to use it as if it were mine, I thought of Herb and Mabel. 

They were exceptionally generous.  They bought the RV from someone  who needed help.  They offered it to us to use as often as we wished.  I can't remember a time when they actually used it themselves.

Herb and Mabel were hardworking people.  They owned the town pharmacy.  I know they opened up late at night for people who needed a prescription in the night because they did it for us on more than one occasion. 

They always had grace and a smile.  They tenderly told me about the "crazy lady" (who was not so tender!) that wandered the town.  So I left my aluminum cans in a special bag near my trash can so she could easily retrieve them.  Herb and Mabel told me that rummaging through the alley trash cans was her livelihood. 

Herb had grown up in town and in our church.  His father had a landscape business in town until the family was sent to a Japanese internment camp during World War II.  Herb and Mabel met there.  After they married they returned to town to build a thriving business.  l will always admire how they lived their lives, sharing and generous, without bitterness.

I am privileged to have learned from the Watanabes about our generous God, who gives me so many blessings and expects me to enjoy these blessings as if they were mine.   All He asks is for me to share the blessings and to be generous about my sharing.

Thanks, Herb and Mabel for being my example.  (And thanks Mabel for the best oriental chicken salad recipe ever- we just call it Mabel's salad regardless of what the recipe book says!)