Food for thought from “A New Song” by Jan Karon:

He looked above the stand to the framed sign, patiently hand-lettered and illumined with fading watercolors.

Let the peace of this place surround you as you sit or kneel quietly.  Let the hurry and worry of your life fall away. You are God’s child.  He loves you and cares for you, and is here with you now and always.  Speak to Him thoughtfully, give yourself time for Him to bring things to mind.

Ever read Louis L’Amour?

Never have.

That’s my main man.  Listen to this.  Ernie grabbed a book off the shelf, thumbed through the pages, and adjusted his glasses.

“We are, finally, all wanderers in search of knowledge.  Most of us hold the dream of becoming something better than we are, something larger, richer, in some way more important to the world and ourselves.  Too often the way taken is the wrong way, with too much emphasis on what we want to have, rather than what we wish to become.”

The average view of the Christian life Oswald Chambers had said is that it means deliverance from trouble.  Father Tim agreed with Chambers that, in fact, it means deliverance in trouble.  That alone and nothing more, and nothing more required.  But the child of God had to face the strain before the strength could be provided.

When I heard you had a need, I asked Him about it at once, and He said, ‘Ella Jean’ – the Lord always uses my middle name – ‘march over there and ask for that job, they need you.’

Aha.

He doesn’t speak to me in an audible voice.

I understand.

He puts it in my mind, you might say.  As you well know, Father, you have to be quiet before the Lord and keep your trap shut for Him to get a word in edgewise, that’s my experience.