Tap, Tap, Tapping

      It is said that when pointing a finger at someone, three fingers are pointing back at you. I look out into the world today wondering why people can get so upset over the things of life that to me are quit meaningless. In retrospect, I have to confess I once had the patience of a junk-yard dog, which still has the presence of mind to pop out now and then with no excuse. When I examine the activities of the world today, I discover nothing new, remembering the several upheavals of riotous reactions that have occurred in this country’s past during my lifetime alone. It is said that age mellows the savage beast within us and I think that holds some validity when those lives are held up to the Light. I’m happy I have been blessed to live long enough to understand peace.

      New tenant complaining to his landlord: “The people upstairs are very loud. Last night they stomped around and banged on the floor until after midnight.” Landlord: “Did they wake you?” Tenant: “No, I was still practicing my electric guitar lessons.”
      A woman in a supermarket had been walking behind a grandfather and his badly- behaving three-year-old grandson. It’s obvious to her he has his hands full with the child, screaming for sweets in the candy aisle, cookies in the cookie aisle, and for fruit and cereal and soda in the other aisles. While granddad is working his way through the store, in a controlled voice he could be heard saying, “Easy, William. It won’t be long now.” Another outburst and the granddad says, “It’s okay, William. Just a couple of more minutes and we’ll be out of here. Hang in there boy.” At the checkout, the little terror is tossing items out of the cart and granddad repeats his calm statement, “William, William, relax, don’t get upset, we’ll be home in five minutes. Stay cool, William.” Very impressed, the woman goes outside where the grandfather is loading the groceries and his grandson in the car. “It’s none of my business, but I must say, you were amazing in there, I don’t know how you did it. The whole time, you kept your composure and no matter how loud or disruptive he got, you just calmly kept saying things would be okay. William is blessed to have a grandfather like you.” “Thanks”, said the grandfather, “but I’m William …the little brats name is Kevin.”
      [Galatians 5: 16-26] “…the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.” A pediatric nurse, as she often did, gently tucked the stethoscope into a little boy’s ears and placed the disc over his heart. ”Listen,” she said, “what do you suppose that is?” David drew his eyebrows together in a puzzled line and looked up as if lost in the mystery of the strange tap, tap, tapping deep in his chest. Then his face broke out in a wondrous grin and he asked, “Is that Jesus knocking?” The book of Revelation is centered on overcoming the trials of life, through faith in Christ Jesus, and if one pursues this endeavor throughout their life, the promise of everlasting life, by the grace of God, will be their reward. Revelation 3: 19-22, tells us that Jesus is ever knocking on our door. He’s not begging attention, nor will He try to force his way into our life. He just wants us to know he’s there; waiting. In our trials we cry out, “Oh, Lord!” but do we really believe he’s there to help us in our time of need? Remove the door of your heart from its hinges. Seek Him first in all you do and praise Him in the troubled times, as well as the good times (1 Peter 4: 12-19). When our patience and our faith are cultivated, our love for others will grow (James 5: 7-20).