Scripture Verses that caught my attention today: Luke 5:34-35 Jesus said to them, “You cannot make wedding guests fast while the bridegroom is with them, can you? 35 The days will come when the bridegroom will be taken away from them, and then they will fast in those days.”
Observation: Jesus rightly observed that there are appropriate times to celebrate and other times to fast or mourn.
Application: Today we as a family take our eldest off to college for the first time. The actual ‘good bye’ isn’t till Sunday or Monday (I forget which, but there is an official good-bye ceremony/tradition at this university), but it is most definitely on the horizon. I’m not convinced that we will begin ‘fasting’ on the long drive home, but it’s hard to imagine having any feeling other than a profound sense of emptiness on that occasion. We’ve been preparing him for this day since day one. Unfortunately, we’re probably not emotionally prepared for this day ourselves. I’m not sure we even want to be prepared.
The van is mostly packed and this time of devotion is important, not necessarily because any particularly wise words have been or will be offered, but because I just need this time. Last night we had our last evening, at least for a while, of prayer as a family. I read the first 14 verses of Psalm 139 before our prayer. Not long after the good-night hugs and such, I saw him move his Lutheran Study Bible to his pile of last minute things to take. I know it was on his list of things to take anyhow, but somehow seeing it moved right after our devotional time was personally comforting. Even in this exciting time in his life he’s liable to have a touch of an empty feeling too. In faith he is connected to the One who can actually fill it.
Prayer: Lord, whether celebrating or experiencing some form of ‘fasting,’ let your kingdom come and your will be done. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
(Readings today included: Daniel 9-10, Psalm 123 and Luke 5)
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