God is Awesome

 

Warning.  This is a bit of a rant. 

I am attending a series of classes on grieving.  I consider the leaders to be good friends and they. too, are awesome.  The small group of hurting, grieving people has been a blessing to me each and every time I have attended.  I feel like it's holy ground.

The video that's shown each week is well done.  It moves quickly and affirms every feeling grieving people might have.  There are short messages from outstanding experts on the subject of grieving.  The videos are Christian based but our group, and others who use the videos are from various backgrounds.

What we have in common is loss and grief.  

So, what's my rant about?  Once in a while the video shares an explanation of scripture that makes me crazy. Yesterday was one of those days. 

The scripture was Psalm 139:16, You saw me before I was born.  Every day of my life was recorded in your book. "

I like this Psalm.  But it's been interpreted many ways. Many parts of the Bible are open to interpretation.  That's why we have thousands of denominations and and fringe groups.  For the most part, they're all Bible believing - but have different interpretations of scripture. 

So, yesterday,  the video quoted Ziz Ziegler.  By the time he died, in 2012 Mr. Zigler, who was a salesman, author and motivational speaker,  had built a huge, billion dollar business.  He said this on the video:  Psalm 139:16 clearly states that our life every day is measured, meaning simply-God knows the exact time that we will die. 

So, I'm looking at these suffering people and wondering what they're thinking about God having already decided when their loved one would die.  If this were so, why should we do anything to try to save lives, either our own or anyone else's?

Why did I drive my husband Ken to the dialysis center at 5:30 am, three days a week for 8 years?  Why do I exercise?  Why should I "bring my seat to an upright position" when my plane is landing?  Why should we do anything to try to save a person's life if God's already decided?

The average life expectancy in the US today is 77.28 years. in 1900 it was 47 years.  How did that happen?

A few days ago my friend's daughter was murdered.  Should I call her and tell her God was responsible?

I could go on and on.  But I know you're tired of my rant by now.

In the last 20 plus years I've had several tragic loses.  I was sometimes angry at people, including myself.  But I was never angry at God.  I don't believe he snatched up my loved ones or purposely caused my suffering.  Quite the opposite.

OK....one more thing, the ministers at my United Methodist Church are currently preaching a series based on the Book of Revelation.  As you know, it can be a scary book and has been open to many interruptions. Some of them terrifying and life scaring.  But everyone one of these sermons in this series has been exceptional. 

Here's what I know for sure.  Our God is An Awesome God.

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Serendipity

 

This morning, while on our two mile walk, Mary and I talked about serendipity.  My favorite definition is "a happy surprise."

Later on this morning,  quite by accident,  I read the following:

In a 1754 letter, Horace Walpole explained his concept of Serendipity,... in which the royals were "always making discoveries of things which they were not in quest of."

Why do some people (like me) have a lifetime of serendipities when others seem to never have happy surprises?

The answer is, you must pay attention, have an open mind, and most importantly, be curious.  

Are you curious?  Do you ask questions - and then carefully listen  to the answer? Sad to say, a number of my peers are no longer curious. Makes me sad because they miss a lot of "happy surprises."

I met Mary last summer at the pool.  When that season was over, we began early morning walks.  A couple of neighbors have said to me they "never saw that coming."   I suppose they meant that Mary and I don't have much in common.  

We are very different in some ways but one of the traits we share, besides having lived long lives, is "curiosity."  We both pay attention and have open minds. Of course we discuss our woes from time to time but mostly, we talk about ideas, like fibonacci and serendipity.  

  I've had many happy surprises while walking with Mary. 

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