Scripture: Deuteronomy 23:24-25
If you go into your neighbor’s vineyard, you can eat as many grapes as you like, until full, but don’t carry any away in a basket. If you go into your neighbor’s grain field, you can pluck ears by hand, but you aren’t allowed to cut off any of your neighbor’s grain with a sickle.
Thought for the Day: I love this law, though I must confess a little concern that someone might take advantage of it. You want to share, but what if someone takes more than they need, taking some that I need? There are always going to be those who cause us to be cautious, but I feel as if God is pushing beyond just trusting the law and community, but asking a much deeper question: Who really owns the land? I am reminded of Psalm 24, “The earth is the LORD’s and everything in it…” How do I view my life; my surroundings; the things I have? Do I speak as one who argues how hard I have worked to earn what I have? Or do I look at what is before me as a gift and thus should be honored as a gift? I’d like to pretend I am 100% in the latter category, but I slip into the other one more than I’d like to admit. Lately, I have been working hard on pausing long enough to say, “Thank you!” And not just to God, though that’s where I begin. I also give thanks to farmers, carpenters, people on the assembly line where my car was built, the person who brought the water to my table at the restaurant, the road crews who were improving the highway on which I drove, etc. Too often we fall into a cold and impersonal view of our interactions. We view them in strict economic terms – an exchange of money for goods and services. I want to live a life that is a little deeper than that. I just left the grocery store a short time ago, and I paused and gave thanks for the young woman who was at the register. As she handed me my bag she said, “I hope you are able to find some wonderful blessings in the second half of this day” (it was shortly before 1pm when she said that). Though I was already giving thanks, her words spurred me to be even more attentive. And with that in mind I can say, “I am surrounded by blessings…and it’s not just the stuff, but mostly the people!”
Prayer: With breath-taking awe I stand before you, O Lord of the Universe. Give me both the eyes to see and a heart that affirms that life is a gift. Let me pay close attention to the generosity and giftedness of others whose life energy has blessed me beyond measure. Amen.
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