A Prayer on Yom Kippur, the Jewish Day of Atonement

May we who hear, but fear it is too good to be true, have healing
May we who hear, but are confused, have understanding
May we who hear, but do not respond, remember again the beauty of
Your truth
May we who hear, but have our vision blurred by memories, find peace
May we who hear imperfectly, live imperfectly, know imperfectly
Never hesitate to listen, to try, to love,
That we might know more of You with each imperfect step

Lent in September

Do you observe Lent in any way? I used to not really get the whole fasting thing. For years, I'd give up chocolate each spring as a way of earning brownie points with God. I found this frustrating--I couldn't see why God would care whether or not I had a Snicker's bar in the first place. Then again, I never lasted more than a few days.

Then, not too long ago, a friend told me about how he uses Lent as a time to re-submit himself to God. And, as part of that process, he lays aside anything that might be standing in the way of their relationship. At the end of Lent, he will prayerfully decide whether to bring those things back into his life.

We all know that sometimes hobbies, activities, interests--even really good ones, like attending eight Bible studies a week; or learning Greek, Hebrew, and Latin-- can get in the way of our relationship with our Father in Heaven. I love my recent obsession--er--hobby. Forty days seems like forever. But I think that Lent can't come soon enough for me.

Father, I want to want You. Help me to live in such a way that I never hesitate to follow You. Forgive me for the petty things that I allow to distract me from You each day. Please take these forty days, this tiny sacrifice, and use it to draw me nearer to You.

Quote of the Moment

"When I am talking to somebody there are always two conversations going on. The first is on the surface; it is about politics or music or whatever it is our mouths are saying. The other is beneath the surface, on the level of the heart, and my heart is communicating that I like the person I am talking to or I don't. God wants both conversations to be true. That is, we are supposed to speak truth in love."

-Donald Miller
in "Blue Like Jazz"

Defining Our Mission Fields

I dream of working in an orphanage. I dream of being a second grade teacher. I dream of adopting four--no six--children from Russia, or South America, or Africa. But today I'm a twenty-three year old with too much debt left over from college and an entry-level job, who's mother has very graciously let her live at home and share a room with her younger brother (poor guy).

Tonight I was thinking about how we don't become missionaries for God in ten years, ten months, or ten weeks. 1 Corinthians 12:5 says "There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord."

If we are following Him, we are right where He wants us to be. For me, that means I am a missionary to my friends, my family, the people I work with, the two Mormon missionaries I've been meeting with each Thursday night...As I remember that they are the people God has given me to serve, I am more willing to wash the dishes, take the short lunch break, brush off the comment..."Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another's feet."

What about you? What is your primary mission field?