The Word of the Month: Cloud
August 29, 2020
Believe it or not, I actually pray about what to write in my monthly Doodle. But don’t go thinking, “Ah, that Debbie. She’s so spiritual.” No, no, no. I’m desperate–hence the name of my blog. Once in a while I have a great thought to share or a ridiculous story to tell when it comes time to write. Usually, however, I’m a big blob of angst as the days tick down toward the end of the month and my brain wobbles around like a bowl of jello in my blank skull. Nobody is making me write this. Not many people would miss it if I didn’t write it, as confirmed by my total absence from this space in 2019. Where were the riots and prayer vigils happening because of a lack of Doodles??? I was expecting at least one march down Main Street with fans chanting “Bring Back the Doodle! We Need Oodles of Doodles!” That lack of chants did not help my angst, people!
And look at that–I just wrote a whole paragraph without accomplishing anything but writing a paragraph! Wingdingaling! You can call me crazy, you can call me Debbie, but you can’t call me Verbiage-lacking!
Anyway, the last few days I’ve been reminding God that I need something to write about before the end of the month. Since nothing came blazing like a comet across my mind when I sat down to get with it so I can move on to September with a clear conscience, I decided to do the age-old inspirational cheat. I put my Passion translation of the New Testament spine down on my lap and let it fall open. It landed at the beginning of Hebrews 12: “As for us, we have all these great witnesses who encircle us like clouds. So we must let go of every wound that has pierced us and the sin we so easily fall into. Then we will be able to run life’s marathon race with passion and determination, for the path has been already marked out before us.” Hmmm. Sounds like some good wisdom for our current political climate. There’s way too much piercing and wounding, and not enough healing going on right now. Verse two tells us how to accomplish that healing: “We look away from the natural realm and we fasten our gaze onto Jesus who birthed faith within us and who leads us forward into faith’s perfection.”
Later on we read in verses 12-15: “So be made strong even in your weakness by lifting up your tired hands in prayer and worship. And strengthen your weak knees, for as you keep walking forward on God’s paths all your stumbling ways will be divinely healed! In every relationship be swift to choose peace over competition, and run swiftly toward holiness, for those who are not holy will not see the Lord. Watch over each other to make sure that no one misses the revelation of God’s grace. And make sure no one lives with a root of bitterness sprouting within them which will only cause trouble and poison the hearts of many.”
Our country needs some deep healing right now, so lets remember to look up at the clouds, knowing we have witnesses watching how we’re living down here. Let’s be people who gaze on Jesus’ face, reflecting His light onto all who are hurting, confused, and angry. If we don’t do it, who will?
