Scripture:
Haggai 1:1-8
Luke 9:7-9
Reflection:
"The Lord takes delight in his people."
Jim and I just got back from Newport where we went to my 40th high school reunion. It’s hard to believe that 40 years have gone by since I graduated! We’ve already lost 23 of our 160 classmates – mostly to cancer. Those of us who came felt very fortunate to still be here and to be able to reconnect with old friends.
Many have suffered greatly since high school. One of the most touching was a man who lost both of his adult children to Hodgkin’s. One at 28 and one at 30. They were told after their daughter died that their son wouldn’t get it too. But he did. I can’t even begin to imagine losing one of my children, let alone losing all of them. I asked him how he has managed and he said "by faith". He knows he will see them again one day, and then he said "so many have suffered much more than I have." Wow. I believe God delights in Owen’s testimony.
Two of the people in our class dated all through high school and got engaged the year after we graduated. Eventually, they broke up and each married another. But these 2 couples now enjoy each other’s company, attend the weddings of each other’s children, and pray for each other. The world says they shouldn’t be friends, but God’s ways are different than the worlds’. I believe the Lord delights in their forgiveness of each other and in the witness they give to the rest of the class showing what God’s love can accomplish.
On Sunday morning 9 of us showed up early to share a time of praise and worship and to pray for each other. The prayers were beautiful and anointed. What a joy and privilege to share with other believers!!! And again, I believe that the Lord delights in his people whenever they gather to worship and to lift each other up, especially when they all belong to different denominations!
May we all be a cause of delight for the Lord in our thoughts, words, and actions.
Janice Carleton and her husband Jim live in Portland, OR and partner with Passionist Fr. Cedric Pisegna in Fr. Cedric Ministries. Janice also leads women’s retreats. She is the mother of 4 grown children and grandmother of 5 (almost 6!). Visit Janice’s website at http://www.jcarleton.com/ or email her at janice@frcedric/org