February 18, 2014 - "I Remember"

*** On March 1st, I will no longer post to this site but to my website. I will share that link several days next week. I have decided that God allowed me to be born in the exact era that best fits my personality. I was watching a movie Sunday afternoon and the "ladies were retiring to the parlor to resume their pleasantries," so the Lady of the House exclaimed. The men kissed their foreheads with the "go play cards and do the lady thing" mentality and I had to smirk. Gotta be honest. The daughter, however, considered herself to be "modern." She balked at the mold and refused to be silent about her opinions. My kind of girl. The movie progressed through the journey of this young woman standing for her opinions, beliefs, and firm commitment that life was better in America where land was being given away for those strong enough to posses it. Determination times 17 is what I thought. I wondered as I watched the struggles to overcome yield to discouragement what I would have really done in her position. I realize all over the world people are suffering and sometimes I have to stop and ask myself, "what would I REALLY do?" It's easy to say how we would respond, but I am convinced that none of us know our exact response until the exact confrontation arises. Sometimes I wonder what it would have really been like to live with Jesus. Do you? Would I have been strong enough to face persecution for the truth I had discovered and embraced? I tried to read today about the process of being scourged and I honestly could NOT complete the reading. The details were so horrific I literally covered my eyes and finally closed the book. The description was beyond what I could imagine and I wondered - how did Paul endure that not once, but twice? How did Jesus endure such a beating for someone like me? Could I, as his mother, have watched such a sight? So many questions in my heart. In several of the Gospels we read that Jesus gathered the disciples together the night before he was betrayed. He had witnessed scourgings as well as many crucifixions, as they were common practices in his day. And yet Luke records "they reclined at the table" as Jesus shared the passover meal with them. He told the men that night that he must suffer and that his body would be broken and his blood poured out for them. Actually the text reads, "for you." Can you smile as you digest the you - is you? It's me. How powerful a concept that Jesus would willingly to suffer so that the broken fellowship between God and each of us was restored. His command that evening - "as often as you do this - remember me." That seems so simple an exchange for His suffering. Each of us faces our own daily struggles and sufferings. I know - me too. However, as we remain - abide - develop - in or relationship with our Eternal Father (THANK YOU, JESUS, FOR MAKING THAT POSSIBLE) at least we will never have to face the torment of being plucked from His hand or spend a moment separated from Him. Suffering is never easy, but realizing that Heaven is my home and Jesus left this Earth to prepare a place for me gives me the courage to endure. Let your heart be at rest today as you remember! Have a blessed one - PK