I promise...

 

"...through all the varying experiences of our life..." The phrase from our marriage vows makes us giggle.  It was trendy when we spoke it so many years ago and several young couples have used it in their vows since.  Little did we know that it would be so descriptive.  Together we have see gain and loss, success and not so success, accomplishment, opportunity, lessons, parenthood, illness, joy and a whole lot of just plain fun.    Little did we know that we promised to live together through so many changes in a world where most people don't or aren't able to keep a commitment.

Deuteronomy 26: 16-19 made me think about promises.  In these verses, God asks the Israelites to promise that He is their God and to walk in His ways by keeping His commands.

I realized that I have made only a few promises in my life.  I was a Girl Scout for many years and promised to do my best to serve God and others.  I made a promise for life to my husband.  I am careful with my promises.  Life happens.  I'm human and fail to deliver occasionally.

In a world where promises and commitment are uncertain, these verses in Deuteronomy remind me that God always delivers.  He promised the Israelites that they would be His treasured possession and He would set them above all nations to be His people.  The Israelites who would have heard these verses for the first time were about to actually see the land of milk and honey, to be rich beyond anything they had known before and to become leaders instead of slaves.

These verses also remind me of the purpose of my promise, to fulfill my longing for belonging.  When I said the Girl Scout promise, I declared that I belonged to a troop and a worldwide network of other scouts. 

After nearly 40 years of marriage, there is no doubt that I belong with Dick Sipe for life.  Through all the varying experiences of my life, my longing for belonging has been satisfied with Dick.

God knows our heart and soul and knows that we long to belong to Him.  There is a void within each of us that only God fills.  He promises that we will be treasured. 

History and my personal experience with God affirms that God keeps His promise. He is faithful and dependable.   He asks that I keep my promise to Him to follow His ways.  I see no other way!

I'm a basket case

 

I'm a basket case. I love a particular brand of baskets.  I have more than I care to count.  Most have stuff in them but a few have not been filled with purpose, yet.

Deuteronomy 26: 1-15 reminded me it was time to fill my "basket."  The Israelites were told that when they had settled in the Promised land, they were to take some of the first fruits of the land and put them in a basket.  Then they were to take the basket to God's Name's dwelling place and declare to the priest:

My father was a wanderer and went to Egypt with a few people that grew to a great nation.  The Egyptians mistreated them and  made them suffer.  They cried out to God who heard our voice and saw our misery.  He brought us out with a mighty hand and outstretched arm with great terror and miracles and brought us to a land of milk and honey.  I bring this basket to God and bow before Him.  I rejoice, along with the Levites and aliens, in all the good things God has given me and my household.

In addition, every third year, the Israelites were to give to the Levites, aliens, orphans and widows so they could eat and be satisfied.  Then they were to  say:

I have removed from my house God's portion and given it to others; I have not turned aside from God's commands nor forgotten them;  Look down and  bless the people you gave the Promised Land.

Today I am reminded that I should regularly review what God has done in my life; share His gifts to me with others and renew my commitment to follow His ways.

B efore I was__________________

A nd God delivered me.

S ince then,      

K uz God loved me first, I share with others.

E ach day I obey God's commands.

T o God belongs my love and praise.

I have a very large, expensive basket which was a gift.  I haven't given it its purpose yet--it's empty.  Today I need to give it a purpose and fill it. 

Each day I need to fill a spiritual basket.  In this basket I put

my review of what God has done in my life;

how I will share my blessings with others, and

give thanks that God has given me life, an abundant life!