Chickens Before They Are Hatched

Then Jacob made a vow saying, “If God will be with me, and will keep me in this way that I go, and will give me bread to eat and clothing to wear, so that I come again to my father’s house in peace, then the Lord shall be my God, and this stone which I have set up for a pillar, shall be God’s house; and of all that you give me I will surely give one tenth to you.” --Genesis 29:20-22

Jacob has cheated his brother, broken his father’s heart, destroyed his family, and fled for his life. Later in his life Jacob would be dramatically changed so that God could use him. Without the change he would be of no use to God. This change would be so complete that even his name would be changed: he would no longer be known as Jacob but as Israel. But God reached out to Jacob before he was changed. Here is yet another example of what we in the Wesleyan tradition refer to as prevenient grace.

On his journey of flight from the wrath of his brother, Jacob stops “at a certain place” to rest for the night. At this place formerly called Luz, a profound spiritual transaction takes place in Jacob’s life. As a result of this transaction, even the place gets a new name. Now the city will be called Bethel, meaning house of God.

Here at Bethel Jacob has begun to be more aware. He is now aware of the reality and presence of God (“surely the Lord is in this place – and I did not know it!”). He also has become aware that everything he has comes from God (“if you will give me bread to eat and clothing to wear”) and that he is dependent upon God for his health and safety (“If God will keep me in this way that I go”). He also has become aware of the importance of the place of worship (“this shall be God’s house”) and of the tithe (“a tenth of all I shall give to you”).

This month our government will begin issuing tax rebates of some three hundred dollars per individual, in hopes of stimulating our sagging economy. These checks have not even been printed yet and already there are merchants and others trying to lay claim to them. Kroger advertises that if you will sign your rebate check over to them they will give you a gift card with a bonus. Sears promises the same thing.

Recently someone asked me what I will do with my rebate check. I said, after I tithe on it I will try to use it for some good for my family or others. Funny thing isn’t it: Sears and Kroger want all of your rebate check. All the Lord wants is 10%. Not a bad deal.

Blessings,
Rev

Goodbye Old Boots

I had been making a list and checking it twice. Hat: check. Clothes: check. Daypack: check. Hunting knife: check. Rain gear: check. Compass: check. Flashlight: check. Boots: check. Wait a minute: there are supposed to be two pair of boots, one insulated and the other not. Here are the insulated ones. Where is the other pair of boots?

Linda smiled patiently as she watched me move from the garage to our bedroom and back again. It was my annual spring ritual, getting ready for my post-Easter Canadian bear hunt. The preparation begins right after Easter Sunday with the fletching of new arrows and the waxing of bowstrings. By the time Pentecost approaches, I am dragging out my hunting and camping gear, laying it out on our bed, scattering it throughout the house, and taking inventory. It had been a long eight months since my “busy season” started last September. A week in the boreal forest of the Canadian wilderness refreshes my soul.

But this time a mild, curious concern had set in. The one pair of non-insulated boots had gone missing. I rooted around through all the tents, sleeping bags, and other camping gear that was stowed in our garage. I checked our vehicles. I scratched my head (one of my favorite things to do when I am perplexed). Those old boots were not to be found.

Now this particular pair of boots had a history. They had been my muddy companions for seven or eight years now. Just a year ago they had both split and cracked just above the instep and I had repaired them the classic Arkansas way: with silicone and duct tape. Now each boot sported a stylish matching band of duct tape just above the ankle. In my mind these boots were unique. These boots had made tracks in Texas, Montana, New Brunswick, Manitoba, and Ontario, not to mention a number of places here in Arkansas. Surely they would be good for one more trip.

But alas, no boots were to be found. I went outside to sit and think. Eventually it came to me that I had probably left the boots at the archery range about a month ago. It began to appear that my good old boots were long gone.

I went inside to share this with Linda, who had noticed me going out and coming in with more than the usual frequency. She remembered the boots, having rolled her eyes a few months ago upon seeing my duct-tape fashion statement. “Maybe it’s a sign,” she hinted, “that it might be time for a new pair of boots.”

I am always the last one to admit when I need new clothes, even when it’s hunting boots. But next week when I get paid, it’s off to the farm store for a new pair, and I plan to break them in with a trip to the North woods, making new tracks and new memories.

Blessings,
Rev