Another of his disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter's brother, spoke up, “Here is a boy with five small barley loaves and two small fish, but how far will they go among so many?” Jesus had been teaching the crowds and the day was getting late. He asked his disciples about where to get the bread to feed the crowd. Peter’s response was we don’t have enough money to buy that much food. Then his brother, Andrew, replied, here is what we have. Sometimes I wonder how Andrew knew that someone in the crowd had those loaves and fish.
Sometimes I also wonder how I write this blog and take these images. The words are hard to come by on my own for I was never a writer - and a lot of my images still need work. Yet they are offered to God who can make them into something that someone needs to hear and see. And then sometimes I get an image I didn’t expect or plan for - like this sunrise from our motel on the Blue Ridge Parkway. And sometimes there are words that just come. You need to remember the rest of the story - Jesus fed the crowd with those loaves and fishes that Andrew found. I am grateful for the unexpected gift of photography, something that I would have never planned to do or become. I am grateful for images like this one that speak to me of peace and hope for a new day. What will you give and trust to God this day for his service - even though it may be small and insignificant? It may not feed a crowd of thousands, (only about 15 people read my blog) but trust it to God to feed someone who needs to be fed. Prayer Lord Jesus, We offer our lives to you this day to use how for your glory. Amen
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One of them, when he saw he was healed, came back, praising God in a loud voice. He threw himself at Jesus’ feet and thanked him—and he was a Samaritan. Wildflower season was over. The excitement for finding that rare specimen was waning. Instead of taking all the famous wildflower hikes I just took a walk on the nature trail in the campground where I saw this trillium with the petals and leaves loosing their color. I had never seen a trillium in this state. Even though most would just pass it by, it seemed to be calling my name - offering me a chance to see its special beauty. I am so thankful that I got to see it.
At times I think we all feel small, unimportant, and past our prime like this trillium. We need to remember that we are so loved. Jesus was on his way to Jerusalem when some men, outcasts because of a skin disease, called out to him. He told them to go show themselves to the priest and they would be healed. They all ran to new life and new hope, except one. One who was the Samaritan, a double outcast, ran back to Jesus praising God and thanking him. He was loved and healed and he just had to go back before he went to the priest. When those feelings of being small, unimportant, and past our prime, come back to us, we need to remember that we are so loved by God. Then we need to remember to run back and thank him. Prayer Loving God Help us to be the one who does not forget to thank you - for loving us, for healing us, and for beautiful wonders of your world, especially the small and unnoticed ones. Amen Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words. And he who searches hearts knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God. Expectations for interesting photographs were low that day since the weather forecast was for mostly cloudy skies. Yet when we stopped at the first overlook the sky put on a show. The sun broke through the clouds like a search light opening up the view in front of us.
God’s love is like that search light into our hearts. In our darkest hour when we have no idea what to pray, the Holy Spirit is there translating our hearts to the One who searches our hearts. With that light comes clarity, a way for us to step forward according to God’s will. Prayer Heart Searcher Search our hearts today. Show us your way through even the cloudiest day when we have no words. Amen For in this hope we were saved. But hope that is seen is no hope at all. Who hopes for what they already have? But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently. It was the edge of the day. The sun had set behind the hill and darkness was coming. But for the last few seconds the trees seem to have a golden, red spotlight on them. It was like they were praising God for the beautiful light as they would wait now for the morning light.
For me that light at the edge of darkness was a reminder to hope. It would be dark soon, a time when sight would be hard. We have times like that in our broken world. We also have a hope that will shine through darkness and brokenness. The light may not come exactly when we want it; but that is what hope is like. We have the love of Christ always there to give us hope at the edges as we wait patiently for the light. Prayer God of Hope Meet us today at the edges and shine your light on us as we hope in you. Amen |
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Soli Deo Gloria,
1 Corinthians 10:31
© 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024 Karen Milligan
1 Corinthians 10:31
© 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024 Karen Milligan