Thank God for the resurrection.  Easter Sunday brought all kinds of people to church needing hope and redemption.  Julia, my 14 year old, helped out with kids and had a 5 year old cuss her out and flip her off.  She was a bit shocked.  She didn’t want to tell the parents about the child for she noticed bruises on the child’s neck and feared the child may get beat for his behavior in church. Humm….  The family was gone by the time she told me so I couldn’t do anything about it.  We had the drunks show up, and a few more that were on something stronger. 

So, with the band, I led the church in songs and praise.  I listened to 400 desperate people (recovering addicts, ex-cons, jobless and homeless people) cry out to God for help. Then it dawned on me that I too need this Savior. I am blinded by my comfortable life and my lack of need.  I can visit poor children in Africa one week and complain about the furniture in my house the next week.  All week I have been such a grump.  My cat died and our trip to Africa is over so the adrenaline has finally worn off. The credit card bill came and now its time to pay the bills. Shall I sulk? Oh poor me…    

While in Kenya, I heard these verses quoted several times by different people. When an African orphan quotes these verses you kind of have to pay attention to what God is trying to teach you.  God continues to remind me, in His gentle way, that I need His help in my life.  It’s easy for me to slip back into culture and the mundane routine of life forgetting about the power of the Resurrected Christ.  So I am going to reflect on these verses this week and pray that God can help me live in the power of that Resurrection.

Psalm 121

I lift my eyes to the hills-

Where does my help come from?

My help comes from the Lord,

The Maker of heaven and earth.

He will not let your foot slip-

He who watches over you will not slumber nor sleep.

The Lord watches over you-

The Lord is your shade at your right hand;

The sun will not harm you by day, nor the moon by night.

The Lord will keep you from all harm-

He will watch over your life;

The Lord will watch over your coming and going both now and forever more.