Thoughts about Justice

~ Barbara ~ Leave a comment

Inspired by a parable I read, I began to think about justice and how we all want it. Justice for the trafficked, justice for victims of terrorists, justice for anyone unfairly deprived of their rights or taken advantage of. A cursory word search in the Bible will show that justice is dear to God’s heart. Jesus demonstrated this in a parable recorded in Luke 18:1-8.

A judge was beleaguered by a persistent (nagging) widow who repeatedly came to him requesting justice. He didn’t care about the woman’s plight but begrudgingly responded to her pleas only because he wanted her to leave him alone. Jesus points to the poor example of the human judge’s behavior and asks a question,

“Will not God bring about justice for His chosen ones, who cry out to him day and night?
Will He keep putting them off?”

If we feel our cries for justice are not heard, I recommend the practice of the widow—keep asking. Jesus concludes with a promise:

“I tell you, He [God] will see that they get justice, and quickly.”

The “quickly” confused me until I realized that although the wait to see justice may seem long, when it does come it will quickly set all wrongs right.

Justice is promised.

Finding Hope, 65 Meditations for a Broken Heart

I Love Spring

~ Barbara ~ Leave a comment

I love the burst of green that seems to change the landscape overnight—a brilliance of color shooing away winter’s gray.

I love blossoming cherry trees, magnolias, and dogwoods and the sight of golden forsythia swaying in the breeze.

I love to hear birds chirping and watch them gathering bits of grass and twigs for nests.

I love colorful crocuses and hyacinths, daffodils and tulips flaunting petals of pink and purple, yellow and red.

I love shedding bulky winterwear in exchange for lightweight wraps.

I love days that stretch longer and stretches in the seventh inning of a ballgame.

I love seeing neighbors work in their yards while their children ride bikes and shoot baskets.

I love sunlight shining from blue skies dotted with cotton candy clouds.

I love fresh strawberries, sweet and juicy, that hold the promise of becoming sweeter and juicier.

I love spring rains that produce splashing puddles, flowing streams, and full reservoirs.

I love spring because it’s a season of promise. It reminds me that winter is not as harsh or fruitless as it appears because it’s always followed by a season of hope, whether in nature or in my personal life.

See! The winter is past; the rains are over and gone.
Flowers appear on the earth; the season of singing has come.
Song of Solomon 2:11-12

Finding Hope, 65 Meditations for a Broken Heart

No Fear Here

~ Barbara ~ Leave a comment

Rulers menace, people protest, wars threaten—and God is still on His throne. All is under His control and subservient to His rule. His power is unlimited, His timing deliberate, and His purposes indisputable. God sees all and rules with the same power and sovereignty He displayed in Creation and at the Cross. In His throne room there is no panic, no Plan B, no hand-wringing, only peace and purpose.

Let us declare, here and now, in our hearts and in our homes, “No fear here.”

Relaxing

Glimmerglass State Park
~ Barbara ~ Leave a comment

Glimmerglass State Park—66 degrees and sunnier than it appears—whitecaps from a strong breeze and gentle waves lapping the shore.

Rich and I are enjoying some down time in Cooperstown—so no post this week! The scenery is beautiful and the quiet delightful. Until next week, enjoy spring’s glorious unfolding.

Finding Hope, 65 Meditations for a Broken Heart