“I will instruct you and teach you the way you should go. I will advise you and keep my eye on you. Do not be like the senseless horse and the mule whose movements must be controlled by bit and bridle. No. Don’t be anything like that, for the pain of the wicked is severe. But faithful love surrounds the one who trusts the Lord. You, who are righteous, rejoice in the Lord always and be glad! All you whose hearts are right, sing out in joy!”
These verses from Psalm 32 lift me up and help me sustain an “attitude of gratitude” and confidence in the face of adversity. But I do need to pay attention, to be patient, and to listen for God’s guidance.
Little Billy’s Picture of God
A second grade teacher instructed her students to think and to act creatively as she passed out crayons and drawing paper. She then asked them to use their imagination and draw a picture of anything that they could image — a person, place, a car and so forth.
Teacher was pleased as her students promptly went to work. She became especially intrigued at Billy’s antics as he appeared to attack his page furiously drawing colored rainbows, circles and all kinds of things.
Teacher asked, “Billy, what are you drawing?” He replied, “I’m drawing a picture of God!” Surprised by Billy’s answer, Teacher explained, “But Billy, no one knows what God looks like.” “Well teacher! They sure will when I finish this!”
I am not sure about Billy’s picture but I believe we can rely on Jesus’ reply to His disciple, Phillip. As the disciples were assembled around Jesus, Phillip asked Him, “Lord, show us the Father and that will be enough for us.” Jesus replied, “Whoever has seen me has seen the Father… for I am in the Father and the Father is in Me… The worlds I have spoken to you. I don’t speak on my own… The Father who dwells in me does His works… Whoever keeps my commandments loves me. Whoever loves me will be loved by my Father and I will love them and reveal myself to them.” John 14:9, 10, 21
I saw this on a bumper sticker—“The one who dies with the most toys, wins!”
Doesn’t that simple message seem to sum up the underlying motivation of much of our modern media and social culture. Everywhere I go I see people walking, some even while driving, looking down at their iPhone or some other electronic device in the palms of their hands. They appear unconscious to the people and to what’s going on around them. Hmmm! Dangerous!
And we adults are said to be spending umpteen hours a week watching the Boob-Tube, in coma-like trances oblivious to the needs and wants of our loved ones who depend upon us so that our kids can see and lean what it means to be a male human and a female human, and loving mothers and fathers, and loving, dutiful husbands and faithful loving wives.
It is essential also for our youngsters to learn adequate and appropriate coping skills so they can see, listen and learn how to deal positively and effectively with difficult adult problems.
It is hard work for parents to teach these things and just as hard for kids to learn these important lifestyle roles during the developing periods of their young lives. It’s essential for parents to not only correct disrespectful or destructive behaviors but to give praise and credit kids as well for their good behaviors and achievements.
Love is Action
I read that spending time together and giving attention is essential for the successful maintenance of any meaningful relationship. That is especially true in a committed relationship such as marriage.
For love is best expressed by the time and the attention we give our beloved ones. That means genuine love is above all, action, not just words.
I learned that men and women marry for the same reasons but in a different order of priority. Security and companionship are usually near the top of a woman’s priorities but not as important for most men.
Companionship means conversation, supporting, trusting, sharing feelings, triumphs, disappointments, failures, living, talking and listening, but not suffocation, but respecting another’s independence of spirit within mutually agreed upon reasonable limits.
I believe with all my heart that God loves us more than we can imagine. God’s promises in Psalm 32 prove that to my satisfaction. But if you want more proof of God’s love and caring for us just take Psalm 23 to heart.
Throughout the Psalms in the Bible, God’s personal knowledge and boundless love of us is clearly and profoundly stated over and over.
So much so that I am reminded of a story about how it happened that God came to create dogs for us dog lovers.
It seems that God was enjoying another morning in the Garden of Paradise when he came upon Adam, who looked really down in the dumps over something.
God asked Adam what was troubling him? Adam replied that things were going pretty well but that he just felt like something was missing in his life but he didn’t know what. So God and Adam talked a little while and God said, “Well, Adam, I gave you Eve to share life so you wouldn’t be alone.” “Oh yes God. Eve is a beautiful and wonderful partner. No complaints about Eve.” So they thought some more and finally God said, “Adam, I’ve got an idea that may solve your problem.”
Adam was excited as God took a handful of dirt, breathed on it, then poured it on the ground and there it was, wagging its tail and jumping up and down on Adam, licking his hands, barking and making quite a scene. You can imagine Adam was just overjoyed petting his new playmate and he thanked God and asked, “What is this creature called?” God answered, “This creature is an animal whose love for you is unconditional and it will always be an example of my unconditional love for you and Eve and other humans, too, so we will name it D-O-G, for Dog, which of course is my name spelled backwards.
Tom Lexow has lived in The Dalles for nearly 19 years. He is a member of St. Peter’s Catholic Church, where he has taught Bible studies and served as the song leader. Lexow has four years of clergy training and was an emergency chaplain at Mid-Columbia Medical Center.
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