“Hope is important because it can make the present moment less difficult to bear. If we believe that tomorrow will be better, we can bear a hardship today.” -Thich Nhat Hanh, Vietnamese monk and activist
Is there a God who understands how frustrating it is in the midst of a pandemic to be stuck and unable to do the simple things we ungratefully took for granted?
Is there a God who “gets it” when we get stopped trying to find an appointment to get vaccinated?
Will I be safe in my doctor’s waiting room next week, even for a few minutes?
How can I worship on Sunday morning if I’m trying to find God in the worship service and my computer screen freezes?
Why are there times when it’s easier to ignore the dishes in my sink than take ten minutes to clear them up?
Darn it! My landline is ringing. Probably SPAM again. Thought I had that stopped but I guess not.
“Hello? Will I be home tomorrow morning about 10:30? You want to stop by with something for me? Yes, I’ll be here.”
“Good morning. It is a nice morning, isn’t it? What, this is for me? This loaf of tea bread and this beautiful fruit? THANK YOU! What a lovely surprise! I can’t tell you how much I appreciate this! I was just about to run out of fruit, too. No, you didn’t interrupt me, I was just about to clear up the kitchen.”
Maybe I’ll go out for a walk. It’s a nice sunny day! When I get back, I’ll get those pots cleared up!
A 5-minute phone call, a little baked “treat”, taking someone’s trash to the transfer station, offering to pick up something at the grocery store, stopping by for a “distance” conversation for a few minutes… little things? You may think so. I sure don’t!
Thank you, God, for “heroes” – maybe your “angels”? – who arrive just in time, not on our schedule but yours. Thank you, thank you!
Be a hero.
-Nancy Hammerton
Sudbury UMC Lenten Devotions 