Variety

I was sitting here looking out my picture window thinking about all the various kinds of birds, flowers, trees, bugs, ...and people! Isn't it wonderful that God loves variety? What a boring world this would truly be if we were all alike; robots lined up in a row to move the same, perform the same tasks, day in and day out. Wow! I'm so glad God knew what he was doing when he created -everything!

I have a robin that has built a nest in a big wreath that I have hanging on my back porch. It has been fun and interesting to watch the mother and father bring worms to feed the ever opened begging mouths. They are growing more each day and getting more feathers each day. Before long they will be nudged out of the nest to begin life on their own.

I enjoyed having my 4 grandchildren with us this past weekend. They came with their parents to do a concert for our congregation. It was a great concert and I was so proud of their performance and ministry. These little "creations" are blooming and growing and becoming wonderful specimens of humanity (Even if I do say so myself! Nanas are allowed to brag.) It is so impressive to see how God is molding and making them into vessels to be used for the furtherance of His kingdom. Day by day, as their parents guide and teach them, they are becoming separate little people. Each one has their own personality, their own likes and dislikes, their own talents and capabilities. Powerhouses for God in the making.

As our lives unfold, every day we are becoming either "more" or "less" a vessel that the Lord can use. As we age, we develop a certain patina, a characterizing if you will. Each of us weather differently; we respond differently to challenges, temptations, trials, and opportunities. These things mold us, help make us who we have become today. The challenge comes in when we fail to appreciate how God has made the person we rub shoulders with at the post office, or the grocery, or the doctor's office, or at work... We think, "How weird is that guy?" "Wow, she really does things strangely." "Now, if I was doing that job, I wouldn't do it that way." There is no way that we can know the hardships that they have been through, the thing that has made/molded them into the person they are presently.

In church ministry, as well as in other areas, sometimes there are "more Chiefs than Indians," so to speak. Everyone thinks it should be done a certain way, insisting that their way is surely the best way. Or, "It's been done this way for 30 years, bless God, so why not continue to do it this way?" What we neglect to realize is that God loves variety, wants variety in ministry. It's alright for us all to be different, for our mold (environment, training, DNA) is different. You are wonderful the way you are (well, your husband/wife might think that's debatable). The way you do things may be great. The key is not to make someone else feel like they are less capable or less interesting or less than you, just because they are not the same "variety" as you. Embrace difference. Let it challenge you, stretch you and help you develop further as a special vessel for God's use wherever he wants to put you.

Acceptance, tolerance, love and compassion are becoming a little scarce in our world it seems, even in the "church" world. Everyone is so stressed out and in such a hurry that there is little endeavor to care. Have you taken an inventory of your priorities lately? I have, and it's not a pretty picture. It is so easy to let the world dictate to us what is the most important thing that needs to be done. I decided that I need to put on the brakes, take a little hiatus (mentally), and review what needs attention in my "vessel." I don't want to become unusable for God's kingdom. Our intentions and motives can be as pure as can be, but still be wrong and out of whack.

Take a few moments and pray for the "variety" of person that seems to bother you most. If the prayer doesn't change or help them, maybe it will change or help your attitude towards them.
Next time you are tempted to be impatient or critical of someone in your life, take a moment to find the best and beautiful in them instead. Remember, "God doesn't make any junk!"