Not sure what I want to make for dinner. I skipped lunch today because I had a late breakfast this morning between both worship services this morning at church since I'd been singing with our praise and worship team today, and I'm really not that hungry now. I had stopped at the supermarket for some gluten-free chicken noodle soup, but I passed on buying it because it's much more expensive than the non-gluten-free soup. Hmm...maybe I'll go to Domino's and pick up a gluten-free pizza for me and a regular pizza for the rest of my family.
Then again, I realize also there is more to life than just eating and drinking. Today's sermon at church was based on Luke 18:9-14, where Jesus tells a parable about the difference between the Pharisee praying in the temple and a tax collector praying in the temple at the same time. The Pharisee used his prayer to brag about how many thing he was doing for God. The tax collector realized he needed a relationship with God and asked God for mercy and forgiveness of the things he'd done wrong and the strength to do the right things. It made me think of times I'd been a Pharisee instead of a tax collector. Actually, both the Pharisee and the tax collector get a bum rap from us modern day American Christians, but I see in myself many of the same traits of both characters in this parable. Today, I asked God for mercy, forgiveness, and strength to get through life. But I am embarrassed to admit there are times I've walked out of church after hearing the pastor ask people to get involved and think to myself, "But I am involved. I did all that stuff...the small group Bible studies, making meals for others, reading scripture during the worship, or singing in the choir. I'm fed up with being involved. I just want to sit back and sing the hymns and read the Bible." Ugh! That's when I cringe and have to remind myself that people I've made dinner for appreciated it because it came at a time when they had too much to do and never enough time to cook dinner, or that being in a small group Bible study or sitting in worship services on Sunday morning gave me an opportunity to love and encourage someone else who's having a hard time with their own struggles. I have God tap me on the shoulder all the time to tell me that the money I've put in the offering plate may not be a lot, but it supports many ministries in my church as well as in Liberia where we're partnering with members at Jordan UCC in building a medical clinic, a school, and a church in their hometown in Liberia. And since I am grateful that I've been available to teach Vacation Bible School or just to even say hello to a child who came to worship makes a big difference in how the parents view the church, because when we go out of our way to make kids feel like they're important, the parents will likely bring them back and participate in faith-building activities with their kids.
The Pharisee left the temple forgetting about God in the midst of the hustle and bustle, but the tax collector left thanking God for another chance. So what do I really want for dinner? Another slice of pizza, and another chance to get it right.