Do you believe in Miracles?

I often forget that I'm Christian. I am not very good at going to Church and praying seems difficult and pointless. I confess that I often think that I like the people who don't go to Church very often a lot more than the people that are there every Sunday. Sometimes I forget and maybe even sometimes I wish I weren't. Then I have days like the past few days and I am so grateful for what God is doing in my life. Even if I've been forgetting God, God is not forgetting me.

I often forget that I actually believe in miracles. Here's my 'miracle' story. As some of you may know I recently bought a car. Although I was very excited about buying it - I have had nothing but trouble with it. (Titling it; repairs to AC; back seat door handles and the list could go on). However, it was working enough to take me to and from work. Which is all I really need (want) out of a car. Sunday, my car began making funny noises, but was still driving relatively well. Monday night it made a very funny noise and stopped driving so well. I decided to have it towed to my mechanic to see what it would cost for him to fix it. Tuesday afternoon I got a phone call saying that the transmission was broken. I don't know much about cars but he said the repair cost would have a comma in it. Basically it would cost more than I paid for the car. It's Wednesday now and I was in a jam because I need a car to go back and forth to work. Since I begin working before the sun rises taking a bus is not really an option and I know my roommates would get tired very quickly of bringing to/from work. Luckily, Wednesday is my day off.

This morning while I was out watering my garden (which deserves a post of it's own in due time) I prayed. I prayed for a car. I really just needed a car. I can buy a car - I've actually been approved for a loan - but that does not get me a car today. Hopefully, if I think about what I'm doing carefully it will take a few weeks to buy my next car. But I still needed a car to go to work Thursday morning.

My brother took me out for lunch today and he offered to let me use his car for the next few days. He and his wife have a second car, so that seemed like a doable solution. I was very grateful for this offer!

Then I received a text message from a friend asking me to do him a favor. The favor was to keep his car for 3 weeks while he goes to Burning Man. He apparently has no where to park it. I can use it while he's gone. I have a car to use - I will in a few hours at least.

Can you fault prayers like this when you just put out into the universe what you need and it materializes? Although I still have to buy a new car I now have a way of getting around for a few weeks. I have much less pressure and the ability to be picky about what kind of car I buy.

I forget that I believe in miracles or prayer and then days like today happen. Some people would just say it was a coincidence - but I don't really believe in coincidences. I need days like today to remember that I'm not providing for myself - God is. That's what miracles are - little reminders of who is really supporting us.

Thinking about rest/sabbath

I've been feeling very busy recently (hence the lack of posts for a few weeks). I've finally found some time to rest yesterday and today. I have to say it feels good.

This morning I chose to ride the bus to volunteer. I've been trying to do this now for a while, and I really enjoy it when I can make myself get up early enough. When I take the bus I have to leave my house about 30 minutes earlier than when I drive. Riding the bus gives me some time to think and reflect and plan the devotional.

This morning for the devotional I read a poem from Guerrillas of Grace: Prayers for the Battle by Ted Loder. The poem I read was about being so busy with life that we forget what we need God for and what to say to God and even maybe how to talk to God. It's really moving. You can read the full text here.

I have been struggling with being too busy and not setting aside time for God. I was looking this morning at the Ten Commandments. I found them in Exodus 20:3-17. What I found the most striking is that most of the commandments are few words. Do not kill. Do not covet. etc. They are also almost all negative - DO NOT do this or that. However, the fourth commandment is a responsibility and is also the longest. The fourth commandment says:

Remember the Sabbath day and keep it holy. For six days you shall labour ad do all your work, but the seventh day is a Sabbath for Yahweh you God. You shall do no work that day, neither you nor your son nor your daughter nor your servants, men or women, nor your animals nor the alien living with you. For in six days Yahweh made the heavens, earth and sea all that these contain, but on the seventh day he rested; that is why Yahweh has blessed the Sabbath day and made it sacred. (New Jerusalem Translation)

This one commandment is very long and very detailed. God is making sure that we know exactly what God means when God says "remember the Sabbath" I am struck at how easy it is to forget God and get lost in our daily lives - in our routines or lack thereof or our jobs or not having one. It is so easy to forget to ask God or even forget how to talk to God.

I ended the devotional this morning by having a 'neighbor' lead us all in the Lord's Prayer.

I'm hoping that I can also learn and listen and become less busy - even if I am still doing just as much. I need to set aside time for God and prayer.