Mind. Presence. Practice. Patience.

This time of year, we are all “Kids”.

We are all Children of God.

And, boy oh boy I, for one, am grateful for God’s patience.

With me. For me. By me.

Especially when doubt rears its ugly head. And heads.

Two-sides-of-the-same-coin-kinda-heads.

Neutrality is best, Yes?

No. Not always.

John 3:16

“Let not your hearts be troubled; believe in God, believe also in me. in my Father’s house are many rooms; if it were not so, would

I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? I will come again and take you to myself, that where I am you may be also. And you know the way where I am going? Thomas said to Him, “Lord, we do not know where you are going; how can we know the way?

“Slang” translation: “Like, hey man where you going with this line of thinking”………

Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father, but by me. If you had known me, you would have known my Father also; henceforth, you know him a and have seen him.”

Further, with some doubt, Phillip said to him, “Lord, show us the Father, and we shall be satisfied.” Jesus said to him, “Have I been with you so long, and yet you do not know me, Philip.” He who has seen me has seen the Father; how can you say, “Show us the Father?” Do you not believe that I am in the Father and the Father in me?” The words that I say to you I do not speak on my own authority; but the Father who dwells in me does his works.

The Father who dwells in me does his works.

As a dweller myself, never thought too much about it, just dwelled. Perhaps doubtful to admit. This dwelling stuff has its positives. And they are majorly mightily morally mucho much.

Translation: No worries about that mouthful. Took me a while to get it too.

”Jesus went on to say: “ Believe me that I am in the Father and the Father in me; or believe me for the sake of the words themselves.

”Truly, Truly, I say to you, he who believes in me will also do the works that I do and greater works than these will he do, because I go to the Father.

Translation: Challenge accepted.

Jesus added:”Whatever you ask in my name, I will do it, that the Father may be glorified in the Son; and if you ask anything in my name, I will do it.”

Translation: Get to work. Do the work. Do the hard work. Papa asks. You deliver.

“If you love me, you will keep my commandments. And I will pray the Father, and he will give you another Counselor, to be with you for ever, even the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees him, nor knows him; you know him, for he dwells with you, and will be in you.

Translation: “I will not leave you desolate.” Leave you in a prison of your own despair. The prison of Doubt, Confusion, Despair.

”The greatest believer goes through the tunnel of doubt” (pf) The tunnel of doubt. Doubt essential for spiritual growth.”

“Huh”

”Works are surprises.” Actions are different. A believer converts to his true face.” Shows his true face. Argues. Attempts to rediscover truth.

In stages.

That is why Jesus sends his disciples to check. If this is the Messiah. (Pf). If this is “for real” Not to close doors within our mindset. One never knows too much about God.

How can we when his mercies are new every day?

Well, doubt, prejudices, rigid labels are often “at play” attempting to overturn our perspectives. (Pf) Certain mindsets of our brothers and sisters, words, gestures of consolation. Believers remember when the lame could walk again, the blind could see, the deaf could hear again.

Believers believe, Consolers console. This is something magical. The smallness of an infant leading us to the way and the greatness of God that is coming.(Pf)

That is the good and magical, honest kind of hope and grace.

But Doubting Thomases are present at every turn, on every corner. Doubt is a fickle beast. Causes us to not see clearly, to not care to see our neighbors clearly.

”Love thy neighbor as thyself”—includes that crotchety person up the road, the crabby person down the road, and all the good and bad persons in between. Even if and when we do not feel like it.

It frees you up from the prison of your own mindset. Shares some good, converts it to better. Not overnight, mind you, but with the patience of a saint like intentions and gestures that can really get the balling rolling😀🙃😀🙃😀🙃😀🙃😀🙃😀🙃😀🙃

In the right direction. Down the best lane. The working work direction. The place for everyone and everyone in their place mentality.

Completely separate and different from the concept of “Putting someone in their place.” Metaphorically speaking that is just plain

Mean.

No matter how you, slice it, dice it and serve it. To them. From you. Have the presence of mind to know what you are doing when you are doing it.

Translation: “You’ve been served.”…

The carelessness nature of another person’s heart is never acceptable. Never. Treat others as you want to be treated. Sounds simple enough. And yet. We fail. All of us. Hiding behind this or that. Him or her. Them or they. Me or you.

Let’s change the course of our actions, words and gestures. This coming season and the magical story of an infant teaches us this better way often and yet we fall prey to doubt and take the road most travelled. Of doubt, deceit deception, devour used as our directions of north, south, east and west of our days.

Ick.

Better check the hand of your compass. ASAP. Release yourself from the prison of your own thoughts. Choose a life of goodness. Of a careful nature of another’s heart. After all. Home is where the heart is. If you feel at home in your own heart, your hearts desires.

Good for you!

Be ready.

Readily and happily

Through the tunnel doubtful tunnel of what you have gained,

The doubtful tunnel of what you have lost.

Most important.

Through this wealth of information

Share the wealth of God’s wisdom.