Manna

We had a very interesting message at church today. It was about the Israelites, newly escaped from Egypt, just having crossed the red sea. They were hungry, complained, and God gave them "manna", a non descript bread-like substance that just appeared magically each morning.

Here's the interesting part.

For 400 years, these people were slaves in Egypt. They did not have a past that would allow them to trust other people. Understandably then, even after seeing the passover where their children were spared a certain death, and after walking through the red sea on dry land, they were miserable when hungry in the wilderness.

They did not know how to trust God. Manna was God's way of showing them, every day for 40 years, that they could trust Him. Each day, every day they had enough food for that one day. They needed to take little steps in learning who God was and that He could be trusted. And for 40 years, He was just that. The provider of their daily need, no more, no less.

Sometimes God understands that we have trouble trusting Him. Then He goes to work and puts us in a place where we can learn trust. One day at a time, one meal at a time.

Interesting....

Internet

I just love the internet. It's an amazing thing to stay so connected. When I was a little girl, we had a party line. You had to count the rings to see if the call was for you. We were the last home on the block, so we had 3 rings - the longest one.

And when I got married and moved away, I wrote letters to my mother, a few states away. It look weeks to have a conversation. Then phones got to be less expensive for long distance calls, so I could call her.

Tonight I am chatting with my granddaughter. Instantly conversing online, and she is also states away. In fact, she lives where my mother used to live, near where I grew up in the Seattle area. Life is so good.

I have heard people who wish for the "good old days." Not me. I like the technology. I don't understand how it works, but I like it. I like texting, chatting with my family, paying bills automatically online. The other day, I used my blackberry to check a friend in for a flight while I was walking through Home Depot.

This is a wonderful world indeed.

Firsts

Hello to Blogland. Today is my first time here. I have come, with invitation, and read a blog before. However, this is my first post. I am not sure what to say, and am just a little nervous. But I think I am among friends. So maybe I will just leave a little poem.

The sun was warm this afternoon.
A welcomed visitor after days of rain.
The warmth and light fell across my garden,
Brightening the greens and yellows that were grayed
From the days of rain and gloom.

I saw the blue flowers of the vinca minor,
Early blossoms laying against the shiny leaves.
It made me smile to see them.
And I looked at the trees, some tiny buds
Little leaves straining to come to life.

The garden will be in bloom again soon.
When it does, I will take time.
Time to nurture, to take out the tresspassing weeds.
Time to fertilize, to nourish the growing plants.
And time to invite you to sit with me.