A Tuesday Reflection on a Sunday Sermon

     Psalm 119:64 "The earth is full of Your lovingkindness, O Lord; teach me your statutes," continues to ring in my ears (along with the mild case of tinnitus). Part of the reason this post is a day late is that over the past several days we have had friends come visit us from out of state. They have been our friends in times when things were good and when things were extremely difficult. This past weekend was the first time seeing them in roughly 2 years and at first I had a fleeting worry that our limited time together would be consumed with talking about the difficulties we walked through together, though those times are solidly in the past. You know what? Hardly a word was said. We exchanged a sentence or two of acknowledgment of what happened, but the rest of our time was an unending conversation of all the ways the Lord has blessed us since then, filled with laughs and inspiring stories and our travels and sharing what our adult children are up to. 
     The Lord is lovingly kind to all of us. Even in our tribulations, even in our afflictions (which we will learn about next Sunday). When we go through difficult times, the lovingkindness shows itself not just in relief and revitalization, but also in a closer dependence on Him, a better understanding of the Word (that we were hopefully driven to in our time of need), and a closer walk in the Spirit. It is also shown through the encouraging words our friends might share with us or even just sitting quietly not saying anything.
     His lovingkindness also expresses itself in the laugh of a baby, a gentle breeze through the trees, rain on crops that need it, and cold weather that is also needed and sure to come (though I may not be so ready to give up the warmth just yet). His lovingkindness is expressed in the fellowship of other brothers and sisters in Christ who know how to smile, laugh, and encourage. It is my earnest prayer that you are able to be that for someone this week. 

No questions for you this week... just go on out and be a friend to someone.

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