I Live in an Earthly Tent. Boy, am I Aware of That!

Matterofprayer: A Year of Everyday Prayers – Wednesday, April 15, 2015

I Live in an Earthly Tent. Boy, am I Aware of That!

The analogy of an earthly tent, from 2 Corinthians 5? I have come to relate to it, so much!

I’ve felt an affinity for this analogy for as long as I could remember. Looking forward to having the earthly tent destroyed, since I have a heavenly home waiting for me? Some health crises in my family and in my personal life have impacted me, over the years.

These words of scripture hit home, in a significant way.

Yes, the verses from the beginning of the chapter of 2 Corinthians 5 were on the docket today, in the liturgical lectionary scripture reading.

The frailty of this human body came home to me today, as I had (and still have) a bout of the flu. Talk about being laid low! Yesterday, I was running, doing, traveling around the Chicago area. All cylinders were firing, and I felt on top of the world. Today, starting in mid-morning and just getting worse and worse as the day continued, I ended up feeling bloody awful. Talk about being flattened by a random virus.

After intermittently sleeping and tossing and turning for some eight hours, I woke up. Feeling a bit more steady and stable, I gingerly got up. And now, here I am. Documenting this awful situation. I know, it isn’t one tenth as bad as some people’s continuing situations. But, it certainly felt that way for me, for a while.

I do need to thank some faithful friends who were, and are still, praying for me. Flat on my back, mid-afternoon, I was able to call a senior friend whose number was handy—in my cell phone. (I certainly was not going to be able to get up and find a number!) She in turn called several others, and I feel so much better now. Still only tentative and wobbly, but at least I can sit up! And string sentences together in a halfway cogent manner.

Let’s pray, and come to God. Dear Lord, gracious God, I thank You so much for my health. Currently, generally good, and I am trying to keep it that way. Dear God, thank You for many people’s prayers on my behalf. I appreciate each prayer, and each pray-er! Lord, I earnestly send back prayers and gentle thoughts to each one praying for me. That’s the power of prayer, and mutuality, and positive connection. Lord, help me to continue to model this, as well as to continue to have a close relationship with You. Lord, in Your mercy, hear all of our prayers.

@chaplaineliza

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Like a Refiner’s Fire

matterofprayer blog post for Monday, December 23, 2013

Like a Refiner’s Fire

It’s almost Christmas Eve. I want to scoot ahead to the time of the Christmas celebration, but we aren’t there yet.

Today, in my Advent reflection, I read Malachi 3:1-3. I was especially struck by the words “For he is like a refiner’s fire . . . and he will purify . . . and refine them like gold and silver.” Yes, I am still waiting, as the practice of Advent encourages me to do. I am watching and waiting for the messenger of the covenant to prepare the way before me, true. But I’m afraid of that other image, too.

I understand the image of the refiner’s fire in principle. But I do not like going through the fire. It’s the being-refined-part that I object to. It hurts! Ow! What gives, God?
I’ve been there, especially in the past number of months with my employment situation. (or difficulty with, or total lack thereof) I understand that I am supposed to reflect God. I’ve heard the analogy of a silversmith melting silver in his shop. He knew that the molten silver had all the impurities taken away when he could see his face in the silver. Gee, silver must really get hot for that to happen! I guess that‘s similar to my situation(s). I earnestly am trying to be faithful, and to follow. Even when the situation’s too hot to handle.

Help me wait for the coming of the Baby in Bethlehem. Soon! Very soon!

Let’s pray. God, I try to follow You. I know You are there by my side, and Your purposes are good and gracious. I know You want me to be faithful, too. Even when I forget You’re there, or get angry because things aren’t going my way, or just get sick and tired of waiting for You. God, forgive me. Help me to continue to wait. Be with me when things get too hot to handle. Protect me when I’m being tried by fire. God, thanks for Your constant presence through every situation, even in this almost-Christmas, still-waiting time. Amen.