There is a legend about a king who decided to set aside a special day to honor his greatest subject. There were four people, each in turn, who were presented to the king. 

First was a wealthy philanthropist. The king was told that this man was highly deserving of the honor because he had given much of his wealth to help the poor. The second person was a celebrated physician. The king was told that this doctor was highly deserving of the honor because he had provided faithful and dedicated service to the sick for many years. The third person was a distinguished judge. The king was told that the judge was worthy because he was noted for his wisdom, his fairness, and his brilliant decisions.

The fourth person presented was an elderly woman. Everyone was quite surprised to see her there, because she was quite humble, in attitude and in dress. People wondered whether she had any chance at winning when compared to the other three. However, there was something about her. She had the look of love on her face, understanding in her eyes, and a quiet confidence.

The king was puzzled by her presence, and he asked who she was. The presenter responded: “You see the philanthropist, the doctor, and the judge. Well, she has something in common with each of them. She was their teacher.”

You might guess who the king chose. 

In life, good teachers make a big difference. And the truth is, we all need role models. We need good leaders, mentors, coaches, people who have traveled the roads we wish to take.  

Two things:

First, no matter what stage of life you are in right now, I hope there are people whom you admire and from whom you are still learning.

Second, it’s worth reflecting on who it is who is looking up to you.

Let us pray: Gracious God, we thank you for great teachers – for all those who have helped us along the journey of life. Give us humble and open spirits so that we may continue to learn and grow. And, grant us generous hearts that we share our own wisdom and experience with others. Amen.

Today’s message was written by my friend, Rev. Eric Wogen.

My daily, morning walks regularly produce some memorable moments and fascinating lessons on life. Permit me to share one.

While traveling my predictable route a while back, my aging eyes were attracted to something I had not previously noticed. It was a barely visible, ever so tiny little green sprout, struggling to gain root in a downright inhospitable environment, a wall, a wall constructed from landscaping bricks. That two-foot-high wall separated a neighbor’s yard from the pavement.

My first reaction to this one-sided battle was, NO WAY, no way would that potential plant stand a chance. Conditions for growth appeared less than minimal. No soil was to be seen. The concrete bricks, separated by slim cracks, challenged much of anything to grow there. My walk continued.

As the days became weeks, I was amazed to see that little green spot begin to increase in size. Day by day, I watched new life take root and when dainty, white blossoms eventually made their debut, it became readily apparent that an impatiens plant had been given birth. Before long, that once struggling youngster matured into a rather sizable, truly impressive, flower-laden, fully developed, thriving plant.

A Dial Hope meditation illustration had been born and you are reading or hearing it this very day. While you can draw your own conclusions about this recollection, here is what it says to me:

1. God has packed unbelievable potential into all that lives.
2. Be patient and allow time for desired outcomes to develop.
3. Never give up on what can be.
4. Make God’s gift of HOPE your constant companion.

And, the next time you feel like throwing in the towel, remember the wonder of that determined, tenacious impatiens plant that made a brick wall its home.

Let us pray: Lord God, life can be tough. When promising possibilities seem to be improbable and hope appears to be on vacation, remind us that you are a God of new beginnings. In the name of Jesus, we pray. Amen.

Yesterday we reflected on a passage from the book of Isaiah, chapter 61:

“The spirit of the Lord God is upon me because the Lord has anointed me;
 he has sent me to bring good news to the oppressed, to bind up the brokenhearted,
 to proclaim liberty to the captives and release to the prisoners, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor… to comfort all who mourn…”

What is interesting is that if we continue reading, by the end of verse 3, Isaiah has shifted the voice from the first person “I” or “me” to the third person plural – “They.” The Spirit of the Lord is upon me… But then Isaiah says, They… “They shall build up the ancient ruins; they shall raise up the former devastations; they shall repair the ruined cities….

And then, by verse 6, it shifts again from “they” to “you.” You shall be called priests of the Lord; you shall be named ministers of our God…

In other words, this empowering Spirit has fallen not just on the prophet, not just on Jesus, but on you…

Build up the ruins… raise up the devastations… repair….

There is a lot of repair that needs to be done right now, isn’t there?

When I think about this text, I can’t help but think about the suffering of the world around us… the ruins of Palestine, the heartbreaking loss in Israel, and the antisemitism that has resurfaced even in our own country.

I think about how a friend was telling me that at the Thanksgiving dinner this year his wife and her sister got into a huge argument about politics. And she got up, stormed off – left right in the middle of dinner…

And then, over this past month, personally, I’ve become acutely aware of a true crisis of mental health in our country… and how it has touched so many of us. And beyond that, I think about addiction and loss… broken families… and hungry children…

Build up the ruins… raise up the devastations… repair….

Today, I wonder in what ways, in your own personal life, God may be empowering you to be a minister and priest, to rebuild, restore, and repair the world around you.

Let us pray: Anoint us again with your Spirit, O God, that we might indeed be your servants, and join you in this holy work of redemption; through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Today’s message was written by Rev. Dr. Roger Kunkel, founder of Dial Hope.

One of the greatest compliments a person can give is to say, “l need you!” The words melt our hearts and impel us to want to help. We all need to feel needed. A crucial part of friendship is to be able to admit our inadequacies and say to others, “l need you!” We can be sure that if we can’t say that to others, they will probably never say it to us. 

Actually, confession of our needs is an expression of healthy self-esteem. We value ourselves enough to believe that we are worthy of another’s care. Those who cannot express their needs usually end up unable to help others. Sadly, a man I knew committed suicide; he did not share his needs. What a loss! We were created for fellowship with God. There will be restlessness, an emptiness within us, until we rest in Him and allow Him to fill the God-shaped vacuum. 

Let us pray: Loving God, without you, we are truly scared stiff of making mistakes, of being ridiculed or rejected or missing out in our always fumbling uncertainties. So today we pray that your Spirit will hover over us to enable us to separate the light from the darkness. Encourage us to keep getting up and going on no matter how many times we have tripped up and fallen down crying. So move in among us that we may grow in your Spirit and live with passion in this amazing life. How wonderful are your ways, O Lord, how marvelous are your gifts of grace. Straighten the backbone of our beliefs and deepen our commitments to your way so that the roots of faith will reach the center of our hearts. God, we need you. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Sometime back I was listening to an interview with George Forman. At the end of the interview, he was asked about his father. He never knew his father growing up. He wasn’t around. In fact, he didn’t meet the man until after he had made it as the heavyweight boxing champion of the world. He said about growing up, “My father never helped me. He never gave me anything. I could have said, ‘I don’t have a father.’ (But) Today I can tell my children, ‘Hey, your grandfather fought in World War II.’ Why? Because forgiveness gave me a father. And forgiveness will give my children a grandfather…” 

He went on to say, “Forgiveness is that subtle thread that binds love and friendship.”

In your own life, I hope that you will not cling to old grudges or to bitterness or resentment. Don’t let the idea of revenge eat away at your soul. Remember that forgiveness does not mean condoning. Forgiveness does not mean we don’t have clear boundaries and protect ourselves when needed. But forgiveness does have to do with the state of our own hearts. When we forgive – we are really setting ourselves free.

Let us pray: God of Hope, so often we pray, ‘forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who have trespassed against us.” But it is not easy, Lord. We thank you the forgiveness, mercy and grace that you have shown us. Help us to share these gifts with others, and by doing so may we find healing and freedom; through Jesus, we pray. Amen.