Thank Heavens

Ephesians 4:1 ...I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received.

A few mornings ago, Clara sleepily stumbled into my room and mumbled, "I want the colorful stuff for breakfast." My brain wasn't working too quickly yet, so after a hunt around the kitchen I realized she was referring to breakfast cereal. She stated in no uncertain terms that she was not interested in the circles, she wanted those little rocks.

She was greatly dismayed to find none of them in the cupboard. I offered to help and knowing just where to look found the container that had one single bowl of Fruity Pebbles remaining. Elated that her breakfast wishes had come true, Clara threw her arms up looked straight at the ceiling and exclaimed, "Thank you, God!"

This morning I am reading 1 Corinthians 11:17-34. In this section Paul is admonishing the church at Corinth to celebrate Communion with dignity, order and the seriousness of the event it represents. Jesus' death was the single most selfless act in human history. His sacrifice is marked with agony. He died for me. He died for us.

"Whoever eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty of sinning against the body and blood of the Lord. A (woman) ought to examine (herself) before (she) eats of the bread and drinks of the cup." (Verses 27-28) Now the churches I have attended through the years have never seemed to struggle with holding Communion in a manner befitting of Jesus' death but I thought about these verses on a more personal level today.

Don't I drink and eat Jesus' sacrifice daily as I enjoy the benefits of the salvation He provided for me? As I live this life of freedom and forgiveness am I doing so in a "manner unworthy"? Clara reminded me that God is intimately involved in the details of my life. So often though I don't pause long enough to thank Him for being there.

• Hitting all green lights when I really need to get somewhere
• Feeling a tiny hand come into mine when I'm a bit down
• Finding that book I've wanted for far less than I've seen it listed

God inserts Himself into each part of my every day life. Sometimes I'm just not looking. Perhaps worthily drinking in this life Jesus' granted me, means pausing just long enough to throw my hands to the ceiling, look up and say, "Thank you, God."

Jesus, today I will pause as many times as needed to recognize that You are with me, You are guiding me and You are aiding me. Thank you, God.