Here is something interesting from Sacred Space today:

Everything is somehow in touch with everything else. And everyone is linked with everyone else, past, present and future. This means that only when the last of us has been gathered in will we know the full story of the human race. Think of history as being a bit like a cosmic joke: while you’re telling a joke, people are puzzled. They wonder how the story is going to work out. Only with the punch line do they get the point and laugh.’

So with the human story: we must be patient. God indeed exists, but so also does dreadful evil. God works within what is bad to bring good out of it. We see this in the Passion with the eyes of faith. What was the worst of Fridays becomes Good Friday only because of the love involved. This love cuts across the downward spiral of evil, sin and death and it opens up to us God’s world, a new world of freedom and love. At the end we will see how love has transformed all the sorrow and pain and tragedy of our story. Only then will the laughter begin, laughter of the purest and most liberating kind. This laughter will be led by the three divine Persons who always intended that things would end well and who laboured mightily to bring this about. ‘Blessed are you who weep now, for you will laugh’ (Luke 6:21).

I am attracted to the idea that what I see is only part of the story. I was listening to RadioLab one day last week, and the secular hosts were discussing some lost scrolls of Scripture in which Jesus tells people that Heaven is all around them; they just can't see it. This isn't in the Bible, but it doesn't conflict with it either. 

Today I read the passage in John 12 when Jesus tells people that he is the light of the world. 

"I have come as light into the world, so that everyone who believes in me should not remain in the darkness."

I am so resistant to quiet times, and yet they are the source of strength and peace and calm. Lord, I pray that you would speak to me anyway. 

I feel like I have so much to do and don't know where to start. I feel like I'm failing. I could be doing so much more. I feel restless. Will I never write a book? 

I can relax in you, in seeking you. Because if I seek you, then you'll guide me in what you want me to do. Which is the thing I need to do. 

I pray for Jen Moulton, and her daughter Hannah.

I pray for Jen Barnas and her family as they prepare to move.

I pray for Lee in advance of his trip to Massachusetts, that he'll have safe travels.

I pray for protection over my children, and for our decision to put Isabel in the Kumon tutoring program. I pray that she would accept it and not resist too much, and that you would give me the strength to support her and encourage her. I pray for Lily, sweet girl, that she will grow in confidence and faith in you. I pray that you would show me how to help them grow in faith in you.

I pray for Sara, that she and Andy will get married. I pray for her faith in you as well.

I pray for the children I'll help today at Roswell North Elementary: Siclolly, Joanna, Imani, Marlen, Quatari, Anthony, Sigi, DJ, Henry, Jamie Lynn, Jamie, and Leslie. I ask that you'll show me how to help them, who exactly am I there for and how should I help? I am making myself available and letting you use me where you need me.

I pray that I would see Heaven around me.

In your son's precious name I pray,

Amen