The video puzzle

Stroll, or skip, or race?  What to do when a new idea hits?  Do we run like Jonah?  Very specifically, he told some sailors he was running from God.  Unlike Jonah, I haven't paid fare to board a ship to flee from the Lord, but I do remember feeling intimidated by the notion to write a book.  I can also remember resisting God’s call to direct a particular choir.  Yet the Lord has blessed me immensely.  And the Lord blessed Jonah in releasing him from the belly of a fish. . .  Months ago, a new thought entered my brain.  Make a video.  A video regarding Me and the Lord on the Bus.  But I don’t know how to make a video.  Don't know the particulars of recording and splicing audio and visual together.  Little did I know that yesterday would reveal some pieces of the video puzzle.  This morning, another puzzle piece appeared.  Now the joy is almost inexplicable, and I’m eager to recognize the next component.  I will continue to pray for guidance.  And I can leisurely stroll while knowing the Lord provides in the moment.  I can figuratively and literally frolic in enjoyment of the Lord’s simple pleasures.  And I will run with the Lord, knowing He wonderfully orchestrates the starting gates and finishing lines of our races.

In the checkout aisle

Furled eyebrows.  Slumped shoulders.  And a distinct series of grunts and groans that conveyed frustration.  Yet the corners of her mouth started to slip into a smile.  As the previous customers departed, she now pleaded to us, “Will somebody help me out here and tell me the 7 sins?”  Evidently while she bagged groceries, she had posed the same question to the cashier, and she honestly wanted to know.  I obliged, “My understanding is that there are many more than 7 ways to sin.”  From there, we talked about reading the Bible and how the Lord can teach and give understanding.  Such an encouraging exchange reminded me of Jabez.  In 1 Chronicles 4, Jabez asks the Lord to enlarge his territory.  Tonight, indeed the Lord had walked us into blessed circumstances.  And I ask the Lord to increase your territory as well and bless your next visit to buy groceries.

A juror's outlook

I’ve served on 2 juries.  One case of fraud was intricately technical on the insurance side.  It lasted a week, and I was mentally exhausted.  I entered that courtroom with the idea of proudly serving my part as a juror.  I was even happy to receive my summons because I’d heard so many complaints about jury verdicts.  How can we complain about verdicts if we ourselves squirm to avoid serving?  Naïve, you say?  Perhaps.  But I honestly endeavored toward a positive attitude regarding jury duty.  Yet the Lord has shown me repeatedly that labels don’t tell whole stories. A jury summons may actually call us to more than one role.  That big room of jury candidates may contain someone whom the Lord deems perfect for us.  A perfect connection simply because the Lord designed it.  On one occasion, I shared a lunch table with a fellow jury candidate, and conversation ensued about the Lord.  It was a time to discuss and encourage, and God revealed again His wonderful orchestration of people.  Jury duty gone wildly exhilarating.