Friday, March 30, 2012

ASLC Devotions - Friday

Philippians 2:14 Do all things without murmuring and arguing…

Ha!  Who gave me this passage, so rich in spiritual guidance?

I am a grumbler, a “murmurer,” quick to grouse about some assignment, or even one I’ve volunteered for. God does not like grumblers. He wants his work done with a willing and joyous heart.

But, as I said, I whine and grumble…a lot. And every time I do, God gives me a gift. Oh, the graciousness of God!

Here’s an example: Last fall, helping with Holy Family’s benefit, moved by the enthusiasm of the benefit’s event coordinator, I impulsively offered to buy and make a lottery ticket tree. I don’t buy lottery tickets and, with all the other things I had to do with the benefit, I had little time. So, grumbling I went in a rush to our Shell gas station to buy some scratch-off lottery tickets. Mike, a bright-eyed teen, was manning the counter that night and graciously offered to help me. I mumbled, grumbled to him that I did not buy these things.

“I don’t either. I don’t think I’m very lucky,” Mike said.

And then looking me straight in the eye, he said, “I don’t think I’m lucky, but I know I’m blessed.”

Ha! There it was: God’s gift to me. In the midst of all my grumbling, the “Blessing of the Lottery Tree.”

Jane Oppermann

Join us for Palm Sunday at 8:30 and 11. We begin our Holy Week journey leading to the culmination of Easter morning this weekend. Full calendar is available at 
http://www.allsaintspalatine.org   

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