Buttercups in Bloom

Yesterday morning the sky was bright. We stood together. Banter and excitement moved through the crowd. A rainbow of t-shirts proudly displaying the names of United Methodist Churches were all around. Signs of love were firmly held in the hands of those waiting. A sense of unification swept among us. Sunshine turned to an eerie dark cloud. We had to seek shelter. Waiting became the theme. Doors opened from a local hotel where hospitality and shelter were graciously provided to at least 100 strangers. The immediate danger passed but the rain lingered. We gathered again, this time wondering if we would get to show our support. A band started playing and their music enveloped our spirits. Dancing in the streets and banners raised high took over the crowd. Slowly the rain lifted and the walking began. I heard the cheers. I waved with thankfulness. I watched as many in the crowd stared at the names of our churches displayed across our shirts then quickly glanced at the b...

There's this wonderful story in my faith tradition in which a faithful group of people was led into the desert for their own projection.  For years they had been living as slaves and this season of living in the desert was a time of new found freedom for them.  In the midst of this wonderful new life, God provided them with just enough manna to eat per day.  They were not to take anymore or any less than they or their family needed.  At first, this manna was a gift that the community appreciated, they were thankful and excited to have all that they needed.  Days and weeks passed and what had been a life-giving gift of nourishment turned into the very thing that the community complained about most.  The community lost their sense of thankfulness, lost sight of the offering of daily bread that was freely given to them and chose negativity over appreciation. It is easy to lose sight of the offering of daily bread. It is easy to focus on the negative when ou...