MISDIRECTED DIRECTIONS

As I sat by my window, a familiar yellow bus caught my eye. I could not believe it. Summer’s over, I thought.

On Friday evening, I saw bright red and white Santa Claus decorations in the Cracker Barrel. It must be nearly Christmas. Why is it so hot?!

Summer isn’t over and December 25 is not here. I had misread the signs. How often do we not see the guideposts left for us, jump to conclusions, or wander off on a meander path? Do we miss the rest of the season and tumble down hill into winter before the leaves have even turned on the trees?

Discernment is to see the red and green and interpret the colors as product flooding, not a festive noel. Don’t miss the Autumn because you are deceived by the glitz around you. Don’t miss the simple message of Love, introduced and embodied in the Christ, because the world says, “There’s gotta be more ‒ keep seeking, keep buying, keep longing for what is just around the corner.” The God of Love is at hand, take His in yours. Let us pray:

“Father God, lover of my soul, I praise your Holy name. May your kingdom come to earth this very day and dwell within my heart that I may know you as do the angels in Heaven. I ask for discernment that I may not be deceived by what the world calls truth, beauty, and contentment. Only you know what is true love and a fulfilling life. Forgive me when I have run after the phantom of happiness that masquerades as a glittering prize that will meet the desires of my heart. True happiness is found in serving you, not in meeting my own selfish needs. Let me see the guideposts you place along my path that I may find the beauty in the present day, the joy in loving others, and the path that leads me home. In the name of Jesus, our escort home, I pray. Amen”
Doris
Copyright 2010 Doris Gaines Rapp, Ph.D.
“God gives us stories that testify to His love. Let me tell you mine.”