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Good Shepherd Lutheran Church Today's Frontline Devotion Wednesday, March 31, 2004 God's Ear |
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Frontline Devotion for
Wednesday, March 31, 2004, by Penny Risen
Scripture:
Proverbs 3: 5-8
Lunch was an exercise in trust.
The tiny wedge of a restaurant in a strip mall advertised “kosher meats” in its
window and used the word “deli” in its name, so how could we go wrong.
The din of customers’ conversations made it tough to concentrate on the
rapid-fire questions of the clerks: “Bagel or rye bread? Cheese? Mayo or
mustard? Hot or cold? Here or to-go?” So many choices.
Rushed regulars just called out a number and trusted that the clerk would know
their selection. More picky customers quizzed the counter help.
“How spicy are the pickles? Is the slaw fresh today? Is the soup vegetarian? You
know what I mean by ‘sliced extra thin’? What’s in the chicken salad? Can you
hold the Russian on that?“ they demanded. Transactions were made in a blur. The
scribbled orders were passed through a window to the cooks, no doubt trusted for
their speed and sandwich-stacking skill.
But how would anyone get what he wanted with all the shouting?
We blurted our choices, paid and trusted that the server could find us and our
large, red plastic order numbers amid the crush of tables. Sliding in opposite a
woman dining alone at a setup for four, we trusted that she would not mind the
company.
“Your lips to God’s ear,” she said calmly into a cell phone, as she poked at a
crouton on her salad plate and listened intently.
Sandwiches and drinks arrived quickly, and correctly, so it was tough not to
eavesdrop as we munched instead of talking.
“Your lips to God’s ear…” she repeated several times, nodding to her distant
luncheon partner. Whatever the topic of her discussion (which remained a mystery
to us during the quick lunch), she seemed to be trying to reassure her listener
that the matter really was safely in God’s hands --- not hers, not theirs, nor
anyone else’s. Your petitions and hopes will be heard after all, the
salad-woman’s expression seemed to say.
We left her still deep in conversation, exchanging a silent look: “Hope it all
works out.”
Throughout the day, we like to think we have it all under control. As adults,
we’re expected to run our own lives, to see to our basic needs. Some of us are
entrusted with the well being of loved ones, children and friends too. But we
also have to trust each other in so many small ways, even trust in the ability
of the stranger at a deli counter to give us what we asked for, to keep us going
until dinner.
So, why can’t many of us trust in God when things get a bit over the top, a bit
too frantic or stressed? When things just aren’t working out, we try to fix
things ourselves and we loose sight of God’s design in all things. Instead,
reliance and trust in His wisdom, His goodness and His plan for us should be at
the center of all we do.
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart,” Proverbs 3 tells us simply. The sweet
and the sour --- He is in control, not us. “He will make straight your paths.”
Despite the earthly hubbub, confusion and shouting, Our Father in heaven will
incline His ear to hear us, at all times and in all places. Rely on Him.
Prayer for the Day: Dear Lord, help my soul rest in You when it is troubled. I
know that my words will reach Your ear. Help me to not only raise my voice in
praise and thanksgiving to You, but also to call “Abba, Father” with trust in
You. Amen.
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