If you build it, they will come.

Isaiah 54:2

"Enlarge the place of your tent,
stretch your tent curtains wide,
do not hold back;
lengthen your cords,
strengthen your stakes

Thank you Jesus for never forsaking me

He heard the rumbling and screaming, as it passed his bedroom door. He had been playing in his room trying to ignore it, but this time it sounded different. He stood on the stairs and could see the scene unfold at the front door.

“It’s over! You’re NUTS!!”
“Please don’t go!! OH GOD STOP!! Please I will do anything!!!”
“Get off ME!!”
“Why are you doing this? Please don’t do this!!”

She clung to him with all her strength. Her grip slipping from his shoulders to his waist until finally holding on to only his ankle. He struggled to free himself. As she continued to beg him, he freed himself rushing out and slamming the door. His car could be heard speeding away, as she melted in to a horrified puddle of anguish in the doorway.

“He’ll be back mom, I said”
“No this time it is different”, she said

He did not come home that night.

He did walk in the next morning, and after exchanging greetings, the assumed their talking positions in the kitchen. I had just woken up and walked into the kitchen. I was so happy to see him. I knew he would come home.

The next thing I remember was him looking at me with tears in his eyes saying “I am not going to be living here anymore.” I hear mom behind me say “Won’t be living here for a little while.”

The tears swelled in his eyes. “I can’t stay buddy. I love you. We will see each other. Don’t worry.”

I felt like I could not breathe. He hugged me tight and then said he had to go.

I am sharing this because, I imagine that these are some of the same emotions felt as Jesus addressed his disciples. Disbelief, grief, sorrow, confusion.

“Please don’t go. Where are you going?”

“I can’t stay, but we will see each other again.”

Jesus knew why He needed to go. The disciples didn’t know the rest of the story the way that we do. We know the answer to “where and why.”

The question we have to ask ourselves is, feeling what we feel and knowing what we know, are we clinging to and pursuing the promises and freedoms we have in a life with Jesus, or do we take His presence for granted in our lives?

We have an opportunity to have a relationship with the God who created the universe. He loves us a his children. How do respond to that love? Do we beg him not to go, or do we only call on him when we are scared or have a want or need?

And if we are not pursuing relationship with him, with who or what are we pursuing a relationship with?

April Showers

After 22 years, I still wish it would have been an April fools joke.

Wake me up when April ends.