Saturday, July 19

By Lu Mountenay of Independence, Missouri, USA

For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven: …a time to plant, and a time to pluck up what is planted; …a time to weep, and a time to laugh…

—Ecclesiastes 3:1, 2, 4 NRSV

Tom observes: “The basement needs sweeping.” Time passes.

Tom makes a responsible choice: “I’ll sweep the basement…soon.” Time passes.

Tom clarifies: “I’ll sweep the basement Saturday.” Saturday arrives.

Tom redefines his clarification: “I’ll sweep the basement after the president’s speech.”

Tom states: “I’m going to sweep the basement NOW.” Lu: “Go for it.” Minutes pass.

Tom asks: “Hey Lu, can you get me some water? I’m downstairs sweeping!”

Lu: “Oh, is that where you are? I was wondering.”

Tom retorts: “I told you, I’m downstairs sweeping the basement!”

Lu: “Oh, I must not have heard you the first 10 times you said it.” The evening passes.

Tom announces from the bottom of the stairs: “Well, the basement is all swept and clean. You can come down and see if you want. Or maybe not…I don’t want you to fall down the stairs. The stairs are swept and clean though. You can just stand at the top and look down.”

Lu confirms: “Yep, the stairs look clean to me.”

Tom smiles: “I did it for you.” Lu praises: “Good job!”

God charges us with sharing the “good news.” This is something Tom does not put off. When someone needs comfort, help, or words of assurance, Tom drops everything, and is there to share immediately! The word “immediately” appears 21 times in Mark’s Gospel. Most of the time it is Christ saying when his disciples should act, or it is the results of Christ’s ministry—“immediately he regained his sight.”

Christ’s ministry happened fast—he didn’t have much time. How much time do we have left to share the good news?

Tom emerges from the basement, wiping the sweat from his brow, carrying a dustpan overflowing with basement debris. He lets the debris slide into the trash. As the dustpan hovers over the trash, Tom makes another keen observation: “The trash needs emptying.” Time passes…

P.S. Tom insists on this epilogue: “Lu exaggerates!”

Lu: “Not much.”

Prayer for Peace God of laughter and tears, help us laugh at ourselves when it helps us make peace.

Spiritual Practice: Making Responsible Choices Prayerfully seek God’s guidance in your choices. Discernment invites us to orient our lives toward God and God’s vision for us and creation. Begin by reviewing the responsibilities and opportunities in the day before you. Take these choices into prayer, asking God for wisdom and insight about what matters most.

Peace Covenant God, I will do today what I might put off until tomorrow (or Saturday).