What's He Telling You

This morning's back porch view

"Rejoice always; pray without ceasing; in everything give thanks; for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus." (1 Thess. 5:16-18)

The beloved Mr. Rogers used to say, "It's a beautiful day in the neighborhood." Another wise one once said to maintain a praise-the-Lord attitude and only do what He tells you.

Beloved, on this beautiful day in the neighborhood, what's Jesus telling you to do? 

Snippet from my new storybook, A Chancellor Ferry Tale:

The boy liked Titus Koonce. His kind eyes and broad smile made his parishioners feel they mattered to God and their pastor. Every Sunday after the morning message, the preacher stood at the front door warmly shaking hands. Peter normally bolted from the pew to play tag with the other boys in the churchyard; but today, he lingered toward the rear of the line mustering the courage to ask his burning question.

 “Howdy, preacher,” he said at his turn and shook the large hand.

“Good morning, Peter. How are you today, and how are things on the farm?” said Pastor Titus.

“I’m good, thank you, and we had an extra good week at the farm, too,” said Peter. “Uh, Pastor Titus, I’ve got…I’ve got a question.”

“What’s that, son?” said Pastor Titus.

Peter dropped the knapsack by his feet and pulled out the glass jar and Norman. “I found a mantis this week,” he said. “He’s only got five legs.”

The pastor took the jar and looked at Norman. “Oh, he’s a fine one.”

“He’s a praying mantis, you know,” said Peter.

“Yes, I see that,” said Pastor Titus.

“Well, it’s like this, pastor. Ever since I found this praying mantis, good things have been happenin’ – like catchin’ a big mess of fish and a sack full of bullfrogs, and on top of that, we even got a soakin’ rain on our garden that was drier than the desert.”

“Praise the Lord,” said the pastor.

“It seems to me like ever time I pray, this here bug bows its head, too,” said Peter. “Preacher, can bugs pray?”

“First, let me say that I’m very happy to hear you’re praying, Peter. And about this mantis, well, like they say, the Good Lord sometimes works in mysterious ways,” said Pastor Titus. “God tells us many things, but some of His mysteries we just can’t understand. Deuteronomy 29:29 says  ‘the secret things belong to the LORD our God, but those things which are revealed belong unto us and to our children for ever, that we may do all the words of this law.’”

“What does that mean?” asked Peter.

“Well, son, God doesn’t tell us everything. Some things are purely His secrets. But if we’ll faithfully obey what He clearly tells us in His law - the Bible - we know plenty enough to keep us busy all the days of our lives. Like love one another, be ye kind one to another, forgive others as your heavenly Father has forgiven you, rejoice always, give thanks in all circumstances, and pray without ceasing - just to name a few.”

“But what about all them good things that happened last week?” said Peter.

“Just tell God thank You. The Bible says that every good and perfect gift is from Him,” said Pastor Titus. “Always remember, Peter, it’s not who’s praying that matters as much as who we’re praying to; and tell your father that I’m praying to Jesus for him.”