Ticket Please

                                                                               

      I watched an usher come down the stairs to a row of people and ask to see their tickets. He looked and told them the tickets were for the last performance.

     They asked to stay since no one was in their seats. He nodded toward the top of the stairs where others waited. "You have to leave to make room for those who came for the present performance."

     I began to apply this story to our thought life. The fame, and shame of our past like to sneak into our minds. We remember the good old days and glorify them. But we also glorify the ”bad old days” by dwelling on them. Both occupy space.

     We are ushers. It is time to firmly unseat the past thoughts. We control who sits in the space reserved for today’s performance. Tickets please.

Scripture Isaiah 43:18, 19 

Prayer: Father, We rejoice in this day that you have made.

The Voice

       The church we visited was small and the nursery where I put my baby boy was not sound proof.

We could hear children faintly as we sat in the sanctuary. It didn't seem to bother anyone.

Halfway through the service we were standing and reading scripture out loud and my head jerked up.

I could hear my son's cry. it was faint and no one else seemed to hear it. Even my husband looked at me with a question as I slipped out to check on him. I knew Ronnie's voice.

       When I walked into the nursery he was in a worker's arms, but sobbing quietly. I called his name and he looked up and smiled. (He had bumped his head.)

       Jesus said sheep know the voice of the shepherd. Flocks of sheep were put together in a common holding place...similar to a church nursery. But when the gate was opened each shepherd would call his sheep. and they knew his voice and came out and followed him.

       

       Ronnie belonged to me and I knew his voice, and he knew mine. We belong to Jesus and even when He speaks in a still small voice, or when we utter a faint cry that sound is heard loudly.

Scripture: "I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me..." John 10:14 (NIV)

Prayer: Father, we thank you that your voice leads us into a secret place where green pastures, and calm waters sooth our troubled souls.