“Meaningless! Meaningless!”
says the Teacher.
“Utterly meaningless!
Everything is meaningless.”
(Ecclesiastes 1:2)
This morning’s pray-as-you-go podcast was on Ecclesiastes chapter 1 verses 2-11 but I think verse 2 sums it up best.
But wait, first a confession – I didn’t actually listen to today’s podcast. I accidentally downloaded NEXT Thursday’s podcast and listened to that instead of today’s podcast.
I don’t believe that was an accident – this reading and narration was exactly what I needed today. (And no worries, I’ve downloaded today’s and will listen on my way home.)
So anyway – on the 9/27 podcast, the narrator said, “This is something of a classic text for the world-weary. What is there in your own memories, in your own experience of life, that confirms the feeling in this passage that there is nothing new in the world, and “all is vanity”? …… And what in your experience contradicts this feeling? What have you come across in your life that you found genuinely new, and different, and interesting and exciting?”
As soon as she said that, I started listing the things in my life that answer that question. I find God and my relationship with him pretty exciting and interesting. I find I’m loving how my relationship with my son keeps growing and changing – he’s a pretty interesting kid! I find watching my daughter discover her way in the world exciting (and a little scary but that’s just the way it is as a parent, I think). I find my relationship with my friend interesting (and fun and challenging and all the things you feel when you’re in a relationship).
There is so much awesome and wonderful stuff happening in my life right now!
The podcast I listened to today was exactly the re-framing I needed for this week. I’m in the trenches on a major project that may require work this weekend. I miss my son and my friend and I’m tired and, quite frankly, incredibly grumpy.
That podcast put me back on track. Back to thanking God for all the blessings I have in my life.
Sometimes a simple mistake can take you exactly where God wanted you to go. This morning was definite proof of that.
Thank you, Lord, for helping me hear the words I needed to help me remember how incredible my life is. Thank you for my children and my fella and my friends and for this chance to grow and learn and push myself as I explore my relationship with you. God, you are amazing. Thank you. Amen.