Listen

“I won’t leave you as orphans. I will come to you. Soon the world will no longer see me, but you will see me. Because I live, you will live too. On that day you will know that I am in my Father, you are in me, and I am in you.”

John 14:18-20

Think

Jesus must have been very confusing to his followers in this story. “I’m coming to you… I’ll soon be leaving you…” “I will not leave you without family.”

Our family adopted a puppy on the last day before the local Humane Society closed for Covid precautions. She is a wiry-haired, terrier mix that was seriously underweight. What she lacked in size, she made up for in personality. It took her a while to trust us, her new family. She was timid and stayed close to my daughter. She has all the benefits of being in our family; home, food, her own bed, and the cutest little puppy clothes. But occasionally, she seems to be afraid that she may be left alone again. She hoards food, barks like she is defending her rights, scowls and tries to bite.

Jesus comforts his followers by announcing that we are together as one, as family.

Brad Hood

Pray

Loving God, please forgive me when I pretend that I am anything but loved by you.

And give me courage to live like I am surrounded by your presence.

Amen

Go

Endeavor to keep finding God.

Uncover, rediscover, know,

and then be completely surprised by God,

revealed in all that is around us and all that is within us.