Golden Rule

As I read today's passage (Isaiah 48:12-22), I sit in my dark, quiet office, and there's a soaking rain outside. Isabel just got on the bus; Lee and Lily are still sleeping. I am dealing with what to do with the children this summer and how to spend the $600 I've allotted for their activities. I am adjusting to our new dog, who at the moment smells like soaking wet dog. I have things to do today...cleaning the house, writing my post, checking in on Mom and Dad's new house, figuring out dinner, caring for the children, their play date.

In Japan, an earthquake happened, and then a tsunami, and now several nuclear reactor plants are exploding, and one released radiation yesterday. Thousands died, hundreds of thousands have been left homeless. It must seem like the end of the world.

The Lord is urging me to recognize His all-encompassing greatness and authority over everything. "I am he; I am the first and I am the last. My own hand laid the foundations of the earth, and my right hand spread out the heavens; when I summon them, they all stand up together." He then urges, again, that people (like me?) turn away from idols.

"I am the Lord your God, who teaches you what is best for you, who directs you in the way you should go. If only you had paid attention to my commands, your peace would have been like a river, your righteousness like the waves of the sea."

As far as paying attention to His commands, well, His commands are many; but they can be summed up.

"In everything do to others as you would have them do to you. Enter through the narrow gate. For the gate is narrow and the road is hard that leads to life, and there are few who find it." Lord, your command is to care for others, to put other people first. To allow You to care for me, so that I can care for others. How do I put this into practice?

Lord, I only have to look around me to see who may need me today. I will try to stay alert and not fall asleep at the switch. I pray for those who are suffering in Japan. I pray for my sister. I pray for Lee, and for my precious girls.


In Your son's name I pray.
Amen