Will You Clap

Early in 2002 I had the privilege of being at a function where the pastor asked a young boy if he would sing for him. The youngster didn't queston whether or not he would sing but rather, "Will you clap for me when I'm finished?" As I stood there watching inner action between two different generations admiring each other for different reasons I couldn't help but wonder if that was the real question. Perhaps the real question would be more aptly put, "Would you clap for me?" Interpretation being, would you clap for me, PERIOD. In other words, can I count on you to clap for me whether I finish, whether or not I do a "good" job, or whether I just simply "blow it"? Can I count on you? If adults would be as honest as children we would say we ask those questions also. We really need to know if someone (preferably someone whom we love) will clap for us. We need to be loved and to love and we need to accept and to know that we are accepted.

That same week I had stood by the hospital bed of my mother. I had watched over the past years the physical struggles that she had and even found it difficult at times to not pray that God would take her home understanding that she would at last be pain free. I didn't pray that and God didn't choose to take her home at that point but we had many conversations concerning that issue. As I left the hospital room that day I watched her continue to struggle with a troubled mind and I promised her that I would continue to walk the rest of this long journey with her. I did and her journey here is completed.

I remember a young Christian mother calling me, concerned that she was losing an unborn child and her mind was not yet at peace with it. I assured her that because she was looking for a discerning heart that God would grant it when she needed it and the confirmation would be "peace". I reminded her that I stood with her in prayer and would continue to do so as mind, spirit, and body continue the healing process.

Looking back to the account of our lovely Lord walking the hill to Golgotha I realize He walked alone. There was a throng of people but still - He walked alone. There was the presence of the Heavenly Father but still - He walked alone. There was no applause. Even the sky grew darker. He did finish though. He is Christ. He deserves our applause and I believe the greatest applause is total surrender of our life to Him and His work. Through this total surrender we will be able to clap for that one who needs us regardless of where they are with their life. Oh, we may not agree with them in ever jot and title but still we can clap because we can acknowledge they are someone special that God made and perhaps it will be our encouraging and our applause that will ultimately help them to cross the finish line or if in fact they don't cross we will be able to say we helpd them run the race.

The applause from Heaven can be heard to encouage us on, if we but listen quietly. Other need our applause. Let's be faithful to not fail them but to lift their hands toward Heaven and bring them an applause that would lighten the load as they run the race. Perhaps, just perhaps they will get a glimpse of Jesus.

Psalm 42:1

As the deer panteth after the water brook, so panteth my soul after thee,

O God.

Embarrassment or Funnyment

Eleven years of our marriage had brought four sons; mounds of jeans, T-shirts, and 'tennies'; and just enough time for communication skills to fray around the edges.

My husband pastored a thriving church in central Indiana, and I managed a thriving family in the same geographic location. Dad was busy. The four boys were busy doing what boys do best; keeping Mom busy.

Approximately 12 noon I could hear through my open windows Mr. Beasley mowing his yard. Dad arrived with the announcement; "We're having missionaries in for dinner this evening. Can you be ready?" He said it like I had options, and I knew I didn't. I remember hearing my angry words echo; "It's not good enough that I prepare meals, do laundry, take care of the boys; even take them to the library weekly to ensure that they maintain their reading schedule, and. . .these Tupperware bowls on the floor; I even let the baby play with the Tupperware bowls on the kitchen floor!" I'm sure he wondered what that had to do with anything.

After a quick assessment of the situation, one-by-one I picked up my Tupperware bowls and threw them at my husband, who was trying desperately to dodge them. They sailed through a screen of an open window and hit Mr. Beasley. You can imagine the look on his face while he rubbed his twice hit head and looked at the bowls lying at his feet.

All significant males in my life decided to step aside.

I had to evaluate the predicament of how to get the bowls back inside the house. I explained to my seven year old that he could play WHEN he was through picking up all the bowls. I always felt that Mr. Beasley knew who had thrown the bowls. But he sure didn't hear it from me.

It's interesting to me that some of life's most embarrassing moments often are the genesis to our funniest memories; to the point of telling the story to another.

Cracked Pots in Use

A few years ago my children embraced me with a beautiful water fountain which was placed outside my dining room window. There had been flowers planted around it and one of my little ones felt the need to water them. He had found one of my favorite pottery pitchers and in his excitement of discovery he dropped it to the floor. This resulted in the handle being broken from the bowl and the pitcher actually being cracked. It was difficult to discard. I chose to place it at the base of the fountain amongst the flowers so I could still view and enjoy it. This was also used as a lesson to my little one that there is still beauty in a cracked pot and that it was "okay".

Whenever I looked out my window I was reminded of my own life and how the Father has so carefully placed me in His plain view to still enjoy and continue to use me even though my life has been cracked and checked with time and sin.

"I have planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase" I Corinthians 3:6 Is it necessary that we water with a new pot? I mean water is water isn't it? If that being so, then I guess the difference would lie within the ability or availability of the pot, or pitcher if you will. What kind of container did Apollos use? I believe that if he had chosen not to water, that God could have chosen not to give the increase. Moses on the other hand felt he was not good enough to carry God's message because of the speaking impediment. But just like the plant needs the water God's people needed the message and Moses was the chosen. The message, as is the water is the same. The difference lies in the deliverer.

Sometimes we feel as though we are too small, too young or simply too old, or whatever other deception is carried our way. This would render us ineffective in our service to God. But then sometimes we choose not to serve simplybecause of a rebellious heart. Whatever the reason may be we need to remember the importance of trusting God when He calls us to a task. The increase comes because of our trusting (our obedience).

We may be cracked or even chipped around the edges but God chooses people to deliver His message and deliver, we must. Our speech, our habit, our walk, yea even our very life could be the difference in increase or not.

We can rejoice that God uses and even enjoys cracked pots.