WOYWW: Who are They?

 I had all these scrap paper that was piling up,

so I decided to paste them on bookpaper.

After I will put wall putty on them, and

paint them and use them as backgrounds.

Wish I had more time to do this!!!

 "The book of the genealogy of Jesus Christ..." Matthew 1:1-17

I don't know how many times I've skipped this first part of Matthew. It's at the very start, and already is boring! All those names! But when you consider ALL THOSE NAMES, it's actually very good news! There are men and women there who, if I chose my family tree, I wouldn't want them! But God chose them!

There's Rahab the prostitute, Tamar who slept with her father-in-law, Abraham who lied, Terah who was an idolater. We all know about King David, who although he was a man after God's own heart, and was Israel's greatest king, was a murderer and committed adultery! Then there's Manasseh who became king at 12 years old and reigned as an evil king for 55 years ! And who were Azor, Zadok and Eliakim? Who in the world are they?

 So why are all these sinners and nobodies good news to us? Just as they were chosen by God to be part of His family, so are we chosen by God to be part of His family! God chose these imperfect people, imperfect vessels, to bring His light and grace to a dysfunctional world!

Thank you Lord for choosing me, a nobody, a sinner, yet You chose me! Thank you for making me part of Your family, for showing me I am important in Your plan, that I have a place in Your Kingdom! May I bring light and grace to my corner of the world!

 "He changed his mind and went." Matthew 21:29

Today's Gospel story is about a father and his two sons. The father went to the first and asked him to go out and work in their vineyard, but the son said no. After a while, the son changed his mind and went off to work. The father also asked the second son and this son did the opposite. He said yes right away but did not appear for work.

I started working in our family business when I was 11 years old. Sometimes my siblings and I hated having to work and we called it Siberia. It did feel like indentured slavery especially compared to my classmates who were playing all the time during vacation. But once my mom asked us whether we wanted the business to continue. We all agreed that yes, we liked the business and wanted to go on. After all, sometimes we did have fun, working together as a family.

I got reminded of this because of the first son. Although he didn't want to work, he thought better of it, and went to the vineyard. Sometimes being a Christian is hard. Too many rules. Too much giving of your time, money and whatever you have. Can't do this, can't do that. No easy way out. But then I think of what I get in return. Blessings. Fulfillment. Guidance. Love overflowing. Grace filled relationships. A clear conscience. A good night's rest. The list goes on. But the best part is the retirement plan that is OUT OF THIS WORLD! I get excited just thinking about it! I wouldn't exchange my life for anything this world has to offer!

I thank God He called me to work in His vineyard, the same way I thank my parents for training me when I was young, to work hard. To appreciate what I have. Life is a series of decisions. But when we make the wrong one, there's always God calling us back. Waiting for us just like the Father in the story of the prodigal son in Luke 15. We can always change our mind and turn back and go to Him.

Lord, thank You for calling me to be with You in Your vineyard. Help me always to appreciate the place I have beside You. And please always call me back when I stray, if even my eyes stray to another vineyard!

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Patsy