One Faith. Above all, through all, in all.
A they came near the village to which they were going,
Jesus walked ahead as if he were going on.
But they urged him strongly, saying,
“Stay with us, because it is almost evening and the day is snow nearly over.’
So, he went in to stay with them.
Luke 24: 28-29
It was her trademark. Bette had done it for years. Everyone who knew her, especially her family valued this action even more than the Pepperkaker, the Norwegian spice cookie she made for every special occasion. Bette showed up.
No matter the occasion – choir at church, a junior high baseball game, a granddaughter’s piano recital, cheer leading tryouts, a championship basketball tournament, or even a long lecture by her grandson on a topic she knew nothing about, Bette would be there. Sitting in a middle row in a non-conspicuous spot, purse resting on her lap, boots on her feet during the cold Minnesota winter and a scarf around her neck, Bette would be present.
Bette, a quiet woman preferring to remain out of the limelight, had managed her family’s finances with a spirit of determination after her husband misspent much of the budget on a fast life and alcohol. With little money, Bette believed the one gift she could give was “being there”. She gave it generously.
Her faithful presence revealed her own faith-filled heart and the nearness of God’s love she had trusted for a lifetime. Rarely speaking directly about what she believed, she lived what she knew, a faithful presence of the Holy.
Breathprayer:
Breathing in: God’s faithfulness…
Breathing out:…abides in love.
Reflection: The hymn “Abide with Me” is based on the scripture from Luke 24. How has God’s faithful presence been revealed in your own life?
This Lenten Reflection for Sunday, March 31, 2019 was written for the Daily Online Devotion of the Southeast Iowa Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in American.
www.seiasynod.org/lent