I Already Have This One

I am old enough to remember the inherent disappointment in opening a box of Cracker Jacks only to discover the prize inside was exactly the same as one found in a previous box.  My children, I know, experienced the same emotion when the toy in their Happy Meal was identical to one already received.  The common exclamation: "But .... I already HAVE this one!"

This was exactly my response twice this week when I opened my daily chocolate to see again the same message: "Take a deep breath & exhale"  Really?  Again?  Why not, "Be the first one on the dance floor," or "Somewhere someone is thinking of you" or "Your smile is your best accessory."  I already have this one.

It didn't take long, though, before I remembered an overused but helpful sermon illustration that has made its way into my preaching in the past.  A young seminarian tries out for his first pulpit in a small Kentucky church.  He preaches an outstanding first sermon on the text "Where your treasure is, there your heart will be also."  The sermon is fiery, passionate, direct and full of biblical quotations on the importance of giving generously to the work of the Lord. He is hired on the spot and the small town is buzzing with excitement about the outstanding new preacher.  On his second Sunday attendance is up and the congregation sits expectantly waiting for the sermon.  When the time comes, the seminarian preaches EXACTLY the same sermon from the week before.  As they shake hands with him at the door the congregation is polite but puzzled, whispering to one another, "he probably had a busy week at school, next week he'll have a new topic."  But the next week rolls around and then another one after that, and now the congregation has heard the same (finely polished) sermon four times.  Finally the board chair takes the young man aside and says, "That is a truly fine sermon you wrote about generosity in giving.  Truly fine.  But we're all wondering when you are going to give us a different sermon.  You know, everyone has already heard this one now."  The seminarian responds, "Well I've checked with the treasurer each Monday and I'm still waiting for word this one is being put into practice before I burden ya'll with even more to do."

Ok.  I get it.  Breathe.

Breathe In, Breathe Out

I decided this Lent that God doesn't hate chocolate -- especially not chocolate that is fair trade and organically grown.  Or chocolate that comes pre-wrapped in reasonably sized portions complete with encouraging messages.  So I didn't even try to give up chocolate this year.  Instead, I decided to discipline myself just enough to limit my daily intake to one section of a fair trade bar purchased at church, or one piece of a beautifully wrapped bite of dark chocolate retrieved from my freezer.  As disciplines go, it's not mortification of the flesh, but hey, it's a start.

On Ash Wednesday I retrieved my treat from the freezer to find this message: take a deep breath & exhale.  I didn't even know Dove chocolate makers knew about breath prayers, but somebody seems to be on to me. 

You see, my REAL Lenten discipline this year is the one I already communicated to the congregation in a pastoral letter sent last Saturday.  I promised that each morning when I read the scripture or hymn text from our daily devotional guide I would choose a phrase to use as my breath prayer for that day.  A breath prayer is a simple exercise of taking a deep breath as you recite the first half of a short repetitive prayer and exhaling as you finish the thought.  A common example is, "Lord have mercy, Christ have mercy."  My breath prayer for Ash Wednesday was "Teach me the way .... that I should choose." The context of the prayer is Psalm 25, one of our devotional texts this week:

Wed - Psalm 25:11-14

¹¹ For your name’s sake, O Lord, pardon my guilt, for it is great.

¹² Who are they that fear the Lord? He will teach them the way that they should choose.

¹³ They will abide in prosperity, and their children shall possess the land.

¹⁴ The friendship of the Lord is for those who fear him, and he makes his covenant known to them.

Today the practice continues with a new breath prayer: "Teach me your paths, lead me in truth."  It is drawn again from Psalm 25 as part of today's reading:

Thurs - Psalm 25:4-7

⁴Make me to know your ways, O Lord; teach me your paths.

⁵Lead me in your truth, and teach me, for you are the God of my salvation; for you I wait all day long.

⁶Be mindful of your mercy, O Lord, and of your steadfast love, for they have been from of old.

⁷Do not remember the sins of my youth or my transgressions; according to your steadfast love remember me, for your goodness’ sake, O Lord!

As I continue breathing in and breathing out, it is today's devotional question that remains with me: "Am I a friend of God who is teachable?"   It's time again: take a deep breath and exhale.