Forgetting Who We Are - November 12, 2010

Daily Lectionary Readings for November 12, 2010
Psalm 105:1-22
Joel 2:28-3:8
James 1:16-27
Luke 16:1-9

James 1:16-27
"But be doers of the word, and not merely hearers who deceive themselves.  For if any are hearers of the word and not doers, they are like those who look at themselves in a mirror; for they look at themselves and, on going away, immediately forget what they were like."(vs.22-24)
The person who looks in the mirror and goes away and immediately forgets what they look like is an evocative image.  If we remember we are children of God we will act like children of God.  If however we only experience connection with God in worship or during a time of devotions - a specifically religious moment set aside for that purpose - and fail to carry that interaction with God out into our lives we will forget what we look like - we will forget that we are chldren of God.  The call to be doers of the word is a call to be useful in the world, but it is more than a call to serve others - it is also a call to be true to who we and to live our lives as what we were made to be - children of God.

What's going on...
For the first time since I began this in August I got a few days behind beginning on Wednesday.  That corresponds with a significant event in our family, my mother-in-law, Joy Hager, underwent an eight hour surgery to remove cancer on Wednesday.  As I type I am in her hospital room during the overnight hours.  She is recovering pretty well, but this is not going to be a short recovery.  Following the initial recovery from the surgery itself there will be chemotherapy.  Your prayers are appreciated for her recovery.