JACKI

Both of our daughters got married in the summer of 1992.  Later that same year Barb and I left the Christian community which we had been a part of for many years, but our one daughter, Missy, stayed, and is still there today.  Our leaving created a strain in the relationship, and after a few years Missy and her husband, Bob, completely cut us off.  We have had no contact with members of the community, with Missy and Bob, or their 4 children – no cards, no calls, no visits, no birthday celebrations, and no holidays together.  The Amish might say that we were shunned.  For 13 years we have prayed.  It was all we could do.

            Two days before this last Christmas an old friend called and said, “Jacki is on Facebook”.  Jacki is now 20.  She is Missy and Bob’s daughter and our oldest grandchild.  Barb cautiously asked to be her friend, and Jacki enthusiastically responded.  She and her fiance, Lee, are now out of the community.  They are cut off from both of their families, but free to reconnect with us, her uncles and aunts, and her nine first cousins that she has not seen in 13 years.  Dozens of Facebook messages flew back and forth between us all in just the first few weeks of re-connecting.  Jacki is an RN, and Lee is working on his doctoral degree in nursing to become a nurse practitioner.  They came up to visit us early this spring, and it seemed like we talked for two solid days.  I was so pleased to see the fun they had with their aunts, uncles and cousins.  She and Lee were married May 2, and we were there, tears of joy running down our cheeks.  They are the cutest couple, and so full of life. 

I have barely been able to contain my joy.  The first few weeks it seemed that all I can do was cry and worship.  However, we still have more to pray for – reconciliation with Jacki’s 17 year old twin sisters, her 15 year old brother, and of course, her parents.

What are you praying for?  Is there a broken relationship in your life, a wayward son or daughter, an estranged family member?  Please don’t give up, keep praying.  Even it takes 13 years or longer it is worth every prayer and every year that has passed when at last in God’s perfect time our prayers are answered.

THAT'S WHAT FRIENDS ARE FOR

That’s What Friends Are For

Matthew 25:14-30

When asked to preach on the parable of the talents in Matthew 25, I was happy to do it.  I like to teach.  Teaching brings me life, and our congregation seems to benefit.  If I was to try to fit my gift of teaching into the parable of the talents, I would say that it is a “two talent” gift that God has entrusted to me.

If you remember this parable, a wealthy Master went away, but not before He entrusted some of His wealth to three of His servants.  To the first He gave five talents, to the second two talents, and to the third one talent.  On His return there was an accounting.  The servant who had been given five talents had invested them and gained five more.  Likewise the servant who had been given two talents had invested them, and gained two more.  Both were commended for their faithfulness in how they handled the Master’s wealth.  The generous Master gave them even more – there was a joyous welcome home party.  The servant who had been given one talent, however, had buried it in the ground.  The Master was not pleased.

Here is where my friend comes in.  Last week over dinner he asked me, “So Gary, are you still writing your blog?”  I provided several good excuses, like “I’m not really a very good writer.  I don’t think it has made much of an impact.  I think I have said everything I really wanted to say.”  It all sounded valid to me at the time, but during my sermon preparation time those lame excuses came back to haunt me.  I realized that I was playing the part of the “one talent” servant.  So, here I am taking up blogging again, convicted by my own sermon before I’ve even preached it.

So, how about you?  Have you buried a talent that God has given you?  All God asks for is faithfulness on our part to invest what He has given us: be that talent a gift to speak or write, an ability in art or music, strength to serve others, or finances that can be given to help fund a ministry.  I’m praying that God will bring a friend along to remind you about your buried talent, and that you will dig it up, dust it off, and put it to work in God’s Kingdom.  That’s what friends are for.