Sheila's Dribs 'n Drabs

In all times, in all places, under all sorrows and buoyed by all joys, may we be thankful for what we will be given, and be grateful to God. 30. Restoration Flowers have bloomed in the desert. Streams are flowing where the sand was dry and gray. Trees as glorious as those of any land will rise from the soil. And the toil of man together with the blessing of God will bring forth fruit. Children have sung in the place where tears were shed. The living have filled the cities that were haunted by the dead. They have tilled the earth. And voices that wept in sorrow are singing with mirth. For the people of God are returned, and the world is restored. God sees. And it will be beautiful. Thank you God.

We don't have to repeat the sins of the past. May we never forget. May we never repeat, whoever we imagine our enemies to be. May we be thankful, and, in thankfulness, be kind. 29. Fall of Hope They sat at table to eat, then some were dead and others fled. They lay in bed asleep, then some were dead and others fled. They lost their jobs and friends. Their children's playing ended. Papers were closed and meeting together forbidden. The crash of glass was windows smashed in the street. Smoke was the burning of buildings and books, and destruction of houses of worship. Screams were the voice of the people of God, crying in the wilderness. And symbols they wore were death decreed by those who should have spoken life. Then earthly strife surrenders and heaven restores. Thank you God for forgiveness and healing  and restoration.

Patience. That's something I definitely need more of. What about you? 28. Fall of the Temple Once there was a man who lost everything: his children dead; his flocks and property destroyed. And he still trusted God. Once there was a man who had nothing left but his health and he lost that too. His wife shouted, “Curse God and die,” but the man still trusted God. Once there was a man whose friends demanded he tell them what he’d done wrong. But he still trusted God. And once a great people were blessed with the T emple of God and the temple was destroyed. The people continued trusting God and God promised, He will never forget. Thank you God that you will never forget us or forsake us.

Does the world ever change? Or do laborers still get blown up in their fields, women get shot as they stand in the kitchen, children die at play and priests at prayer? Thankfully, God never changes either, and He's still there to save us - and to save "them." 27. Fall of the City The laborers worked the fields, tilling the ground, and guarding the flocks. In a moment, some were dead and others fled. The women stood at the wheel in conversation, grinding flour. In a moment, some were dead and others fled. The children were playing, the singers making music, the priests at prayer, and no one seemed afraid. But suddenly the soldiers came, wrecking the houses and tearing the temple down, not a stone left standing. Then nothing was left but rubble thrown on the ground. The survivors looked out from their caves in the hills, crying their prayers to God. Thank you God that nothing can separate us from you.

The Old Testament books are shared and beloved by those of many faiths. But what happens when the Old Testament days are done. Then Rome invades. Then cruel powers dictate. But even then, we should gather to be thankful. 26. Fall from Power "If I ask for your cloak, you give me your cloak. Okay?" the soldier demanded. The poor man nodded then shivered with cold while the soldier wrapped up his sword and marched away.  "If I tell you to carry my load, you carry my load," said the loud official. And the poor man lifted the heavy pack and walked a long slow mile without complaint.  "If I strike your face, and knock you down, you stand up again and you smile." So the poor man smiled.  The conquerors understood how to make certain the conquered knew who was in charge. Thank you God that you are in charge; when we are weak you are strong to save us.

Okay, it's not really Hanukkah today, but it's the 25th of the month of Thanksgiving, so it's not entirely inappropriate. 25. Hanukkah! How do you rebuild what is broken and dirtied and destroyed? Where do you begin? They ripped out the altar and built it anew. They set new stones to reform the walls and cleansed the undergrowth that had wrecked the pavement. They brought back the lamp and incense and table and laid them in their proper place. And they prepared the sacrifice. But all their labors were in vain; there was scarcely oil even to light the lamp. How do you rebuild? You pray to God. Then the teaspoon of oil lasted eight days long and the Temple was restored. Thank you God for the festivals  that bring us back to you.

It's so much easier to stay than to leave. Perhaps we should admire the ones who go, who try, who exit their comfort zone to find something better. 24. Rebuilding the Walls “Shall we stay? Shall we go?” The king had decreed that the people could go home. But where was home? “We have our lives here, houses, families, friends…Shall we stay? Shall we go?” The king had decreed that they could rebuild the temple to their God. The rocks would rise as walls again. The altar would stand. The sacrifice would be offered and they would be blessed. “Shall we stay? Shall we go?” And the priest decreed that they should live in tents and keep the festival; remember the past, because the Lord was their future and their home. Thank you God that you mend what is broken  and restore what is taken away.