At the Butcher Block

When a woman is giving birth, she has sorrow because her hour has come, but when she has delivered the baby, she no longer remembers the anguish, for joy that a human being has been born into the world. So also you have sorrow now, but I will see you again, and your hearts will rejoice, and no one will take your joy from you. In that day you will ask nothing of me. Truly, truly, I say to you, whatever you ask of the Father in my name, he will give it to you. Until now you have asked nothing in my name. Ask, and you will receive, that your joy may be full. (John 16:21-24 ESV). It’s strange how memories come back to us at the oddest times. Many years ago when I was a teenager, I remember skipping school one afternoon (and, no I am not excusing such behavior). I really didn’t have anything I wanted to do; I just didn’t want to go to school that afternoon. I was a senior in high school and most of my classes were pretty easy and my grades were good. I just didn’t want to be in class. So, I left. As I got into the car I knew I could go anywhere. I could go to the beach and spend a little time running up and down the sand; I could’ve gone home and gotten one of my rifles and made a trip to the woods to hunt a little; or, I could’ve simply gone home and done nothing. My choice was different than any of these. I went to the store where I knew my Dad was working. He asked why I wasn’t in school. Of course I lied, though I’m sure he knew the truth. I put on an apron and began to help him with the butchering for the rest of the day. We worked the rest of the day, side-by-side, talking and working at the old wooden butcher block in the meat market of our store. It was one of the most memorable afternoons of my teens. As I read our text for today, I remembered that afternoon. The great gift of being one with the Father is in the sharing of one another’s presence. Here Jesus tells us to “ask” of the Father. The word doesn’t primarily reference a request for provision. It indicates a request for information and explanation. Jesus was their source for understanding everything about the new revelation of their relationship. They were not being tutored by the Law any longer. They were to be led by the Great Shepherd. Now that’s the heart of our relationship with God! Isn’t it interesting how much of our prayers are about stuff. Some of the stuff is pretty important. I pray for my family to be kept safe, that’s important. However, it shouldn’t be the any more important than understanding more of the new life that God has given me. It would be easy to think I am simply reemphasizing the need to more Bible Study. That’s good. But, that’s not the impact of this verse. Jesus’ resurrection was the crowning event allowing us access to the very side of our heavenly Father. Most of the time he will speak to us from the Scripture, but there are other times when we will hear his voice in the beauty of the sunrise or the majesty of his creation. Those are the times we should draw aside and just stand beside at the old butcher block and listen. I’m glad I had that time with my Dad. After high school I got busy with life and those days were few and further apart. Funny how that happens with our heavenly Father as well. Take care to spend time with Him every day!