Grandma’s Little Helper

By Cheri Cowell –

I expected it every time I visited my grandmother, she was either preparing a meal to take to someone in need, or she was putting “one away” for when she would hear of an illness or death in a friend’s family. I loved being grandma’s little helper in the kitchen as she prepared these meals. I learned a lot of lessons, some about cooking, but most were about life. As we cooked together she would talk about the needs of the person we were cooking for and how she always received more than she gave. Sometimes I would have the privilege of riding along with her to deliver her homemade “stoup” (soup that was so thick it almost qualified as stew), or her yummy chicken broccoli casserole. It was in the doorways as we delivered these dishes that I witnessed what it really looked like to practice hospitality.

Paul is explaining in this passage in his letter to the Roman church how to function as a body. He precedes this lesson on practical love by explaining that each of us is gifted in a unique way so that together we might serve others in God’s love. He ends this section by explaining that in order to practice true hospitality, we must first understand what true love means. Hospitality is, therefore, an outgrowth of mature love. My grandmother knew this and practiced what Paul preached.

“Let love be genuine. Abhor what is evil; hold fast to what is good. Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor. Do not be slothful in zeal, be fervent in spirit, serve the Lord. Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer. Contribute to the needs of the saints and seek to show hospitality” (Romans 12:9-13 ESV).

PRAYER: Thank You, God, for the gifts I have been given. Help me to share them. Give me new opportunities to practice hospitality, to practice love.

Scars

By Cheri Cowell –

It was the day before my sixteenth birthday. One more day and it would be legal for me to drive without my mom in the car. I couldn’t wait. My mother wanted to reinforce some of those driving lessons I’d been taught with one more outing. So we set out for an afternoon of errands, one of which was to take our cocker spaniel by the vet’s for her check-up. We had gotten her from the pound about a month earlier, and it was time for her final shots. I can’t remember now if we ever made it to the vet’s, but I do remember the accident. And yes, I was driving, and it was my fault. I didn’t see the car before I made the right turn. The other car hit us, spun our car around and pushed it into a telephone pole. In the impact, my head hit the rearview mirror and sliced open the bridge of my nose. I still have that scar.

That day sitting along the side of the road with an EMT trying to stop the flood of blood coming from my nose, I was more worried about my dog. I knew my mother was okay and the other people in the accident were fine, but my dog was to be sent to the pound until we could pick her up. We had just bought her from the pound and I worried she would probably think we were returning her there. I was almost hysterical with the thought that my dog would think she wasn’t wanted.

Some scars are deep, and aren’t caused by anything we’ve done. Yet, the scars remain. We live in an imperfect and broken world and sometimes our scars remind us that we belong to a different world. Someday we will be permanent residents of that new world where there are no scars. For now we must accept God’s forgiveness, and live with our scars—the scars of a broken world.

“He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away” (Revelation 21:4 NIV).

PRAYER: I praise You, Lord for Your gift of forgiveness. Some of my scars are from my own sins and I ask for Your forgiveness for those. But some of my scars are there by no fault of my own. Help me to see them as a reminder of the broken world we live in and the future we have in heaven—a world free of scars.

Incredible Grace

By Cheri Cowell –

With the temperatures climbing like they have been lately, I was reminded of a group of people from an area church who decided to take bottles of ice-cold water to people who were working outside. They thought this simple gift of love and compassion might be a chance to witness and would also be something “Jesus would do.” Two team members set out on a Saturday with four bottles of water to give away. They were very discouraged after several hours. No one was mowing their lawn, walking their dog, or washing their cars. It was too hot. When they were about to give up they drove by a laundromat and saw two women who looked a little weary from the heat. These good samaritans handed them the bottled water then discovered the women were living with their families out of a van parked out back. The two water-bottle-missionaries were able to help this family find shelter and a meal. Not the opportunity they thought their day would provide, but it would be what Jesus would do. God desires us to extend grace to the weary.

Paul was encountering a lot of people who thought they were safe and secure because of their lineage, their wealth, their position in life, their deeds of charity, or their allegiance to Paul. Paul wanted to make it very clear that although the Jews were the chosen people, it wasn’t their heritage that saved them. It was God’s grace and His grace is given freely to those who deserve it and to those who don’t. If we are to do as Jesus would do, we need to look on the needs of others as an opportunity for us to share grace, especially when those who need it don’t really deserve it.

“I ask then: Did God reject his people? By no means! I am an Israelite myself, a descendant of Abraham, from the tribe of Benjamin. God did not reject his people, whom he foreknew. Don’t you know what Scripture says in the passage about Elijah—how he appealed to God against Israel: “Lord, they have killed your prophets and torn down your altars; I am the only one left, and they are trying to kill me”? And what was God’s answer to him? “I have reserved for myself seven thousand who have not bowed the knee to Baal.” So too, at the present time there is a remnant chosen by grace. And if by grace, then it cannot be based on works; if it were, grace would no longer be grace” (Romans 11:1-6 NIV).

PRAYER: Thank You Lord for the opportunities You provide to share Your grace and love. Help me to broaden my view of those who are in need so that all of Your children might come to know Your incredible grace.

Playing Grown Up

By Cheri Cowell –

I can remember laughter-filled summer days playing “grown-up” with my sister under a tree in the front yard or in a make believe schoolhouse in our bedroom. With just a sheet or a cardboard box we would turn any cozy spot into an imaginary scene of what we thought our world would be like as adults. In our game we would take turns being the grown-up, which of course was the prized role in our drama. Sometimes the interpretation of that role would cause arguments that our mother needed to referee. All of us have played some form of this childhood game whether it was dress-up, cowboys and Indians, or tea party with our stuffed animals as guests. Still, many of us know adults who have never grown up. If we have to admit it, sometimes our own behavior would not qualify as very grown up. So how do we know when we have reached the goal of finally growing up? The writer of Hebrews has a few suggestions.

The Jewish Christians were beginning to question whether following Christ was worth the persecution they were receiving. The writer of Hebrews answered their questions by defining maturity. He told them that mature Christians eat the solid food of the Word of God, not just the baby milk or easy stuff. He challenged the Jews who were looking for an easier way, one with fewer restraints, to continue to taste of the Holy Spirit and trained them through repetition to distinguish good from evil. You and I are maturing if we are going beyond the easy Scriptures to the ones that make us squirm, ponder, and grow.

“We have much to say about this, but it is hard to make it clear to you because you no longer try to understand. In fact, though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you the elementary truths of God’s word all over again. You need milk, not solid food! Anyone who lives on milk, being still an infant, is not acquainted with the teaching about righteousness. But solid food is for the mature, who by constant use have trained themselves to distinguish good from evil” (Hebrews 5:11-14 NIV).

PRAYER: God, help me become a more mature Christian, able to eat the meat and potatoes of Your Word. I am hungry for the solid food and am willing to hear the things that may be difficult but will allow me to grow up in You.

Oooo, Ahhhh

By Cheri Cowell –

I love fireworks! One Fourth of July I had the privilege of viewing them from the bow of a boat anchored in the river. With each burst of color the water surrounding me reflected the beauty that filled the sky. As I watched the dazzling show above and around me I became as a little child, filled with awe and emotion. I beamed from ear to ear, and spontaneously commented with each boom on the majesty displayed in the sky. On the return home after the fireworks I thought about how glorious it will be when Christ comes again to take His throne. It will be more glorious than any fireworks show can ever be, and my heart will soar more than it ever could while viewing anything manmade. For such a time as this we were created: to fall in adoration at the spectacle of our Lord taking His rightful place as the sovereign power ruling over all the earth. Won’t that be a magnificent day?

Some scholars believe Daniel’s visions prophesy the fall of the kingdoms of Babylon, Medo-Persia, Greece, and Rome. Still others label this as a second coming prophesy. Either way, the clear message is that God (the Ancient of Days) sits on the throne, overseeing a judgment (court) with books that detail the sins of those who oppose Him. At His will He will destroy these men and women with their own boastfulness. Then the Son of Man (Jesus Christ) will take His place as ruler over all. Then all the people of every tribe and nation will worship our Lord forever! Amen!

“In my vision at night I looked, and there before me was one like a son of man, coming with the clouds of heaven. He approached the Ancient of Days and was led into his presence. He was given authority, glory and sovereign power; all nations and peoples of every language worshiped him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion that will not pass away, and his kingdom is one that will never be destroyed” (Daniel 7:13-14 NIV).

PRAYER: Lord, I ask You to penetrate me deeply today with the vision and reality of Your great return. Help me be prepared for Your second and final coming. To God be the glory, forever and ever.

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