and own up...I'm trading in my kick a** heels
for a pair of Keen hiking shoes!
Trust me -
they kick a** too!
I am so frustrated by the rising prices of gas and since I don't have my own, private, oil well or refinery, the only thing I can do is be more responsible about my driving habits. I am upside down in a loan for a Chrysler Town and Country van - its a great vehicle and we've been all over the country in it - but...it is what it is...and when it costs $70 to fill up the tank its time to wave the white flag.
So, rather than drive to the hospital (about 1/2 mile from the church - 1 1/2 miles from home), I am going to walk. And while I do need to have a vehicle at the church in case I need to make an emergency trip out of town, I will walk home for lunch (1 mile each way). The same for committee meetings in the evening. The weather is nice enough - why not walk?! Now, it may get a little trickier with grocery shopping...the nearest store is 1.5 miles - but going home with grocery bags may be interesting (tho its up a bit of a hill).
The reality is - that the extra $1 per gallon really hits me pretty hard financially...and if it affects me, someone who has a good job and is well provided for, I can only imagine how this is affecting what our government calls the 'working poor'. Something is very wrong here, my friends. We need to figure this out!
The Gospel of Luke makes me pause and think about what Jesus would have us do:
He came to Nazareth where he had been reared. As he always did on the Sabbath, he went to the meeting place. When he stood up to read, he was handed the scroll of the prophet Isaiah. Unrolling the scroll, he found the place where it was written,
God's Spirit is on me;
he's chosen me to preach the Message of good news to the poor,
Sent me to announce pardon to prisoners and
recovery of sight to the blind,
To set the burdened and battered free,
to announce, "This is God's year to act!"
He rolled up the scroll, handed it back to the assistant, and sat down. Every eye in the place was on him, intent. Then he started in, "You've just heard Scripture make history. It came true just now in this place."
(the words of Jesus, according to Luke the physician. The Message translation)
As followers of the Risen Christ - beloved Children of God and part of the priesthood of all believers - how are we preaching good news to the poor? announcing pardon to prisoners? recovery of sight to the blind and setting the burdened and battered free?! How will we, as the Church, journey together in times such as these?
My walks about town might give me more time to think about this...you are welcome to join me!
in Christ, together,
Deborah
We live 5 miles from town....6 miles from church...10 miles from child's school....22 miles from work....it adds up fast! our old van is paid for, but this the price of fuel means we don't go visit the kids, we don't go see family, I don't make as many pastoral visits as I used to. We stay home as much as possible, and stack errands. How to care for each other in isolation?
ReplyDeleteI do trust that God's word is true, and being fulfilled. But like many before me, I look and wonder how is God acting in this and what is my part?
my verification letters were "unfed"!
kg
ReplyDeletefirst of all - whoa - 'unfed' huh? should be fedup!
I hear you, my friend. Rural people, such as those of us in Iowa, are in a difficult place. While I am glad that I am this close to the church, hospital, etc, we'll see how my resolve is when its: raining, hot, inconvenient, etc.
praying,
deborah
Although I don't like what it does to the "working poor," I am greatly amazed at what it has done for our community. More people are staying home, meeting neighbors, walking around. It's sad that it came to this, but I think our community has seen some positive impact, as well. And think of how healthy we will be soon!
ReplyDeletePraying for us to glean the positive from a negative situation.
Amy,
ReplyDeletewell said! I need to keep my eyes open for more of these kinds of opportunities as well!
peace,
deborah