Thought for the Week-My Blanket

Good Morning, Girlfriends!

Oh! I had a hard time getting out of bed this morning!  I would like to tell you it was because my bed was so warm and cozy, but today that wasn't entirely the case.  Although I do have a super-cozy electric blanket that I typically snuggle down under, my struggle to get out of bed this morning was purely physical.  Yesterday I pulled a muscle in my back.  At least I'm pretty sure it was yesterday.  I know that late yesterday afternoon, swinging my four-year-old niece onto my hip was the straw that broke the camel's back...I very easily could've angered this muscle the day before yesterday as I carried five RubberMaid tubs of Christmas decorations up the stairs and shoved them into the attic or possibly upset it as I fought with my eight-foot tall Christmas tree trying to drag it up those same stairs...who knows!  All I know now, is that I'm stuck on the couch with a grimace glued to my face and an involuntary cringe each and every time I move.  Now, what does this have to do with my electric blanket?  I don't have a heating pad.  So, I was thinking that I could use my electric blanket folded over as a big-giant heating pad.  What is the main job of the electric blanket?  To keep me warm.  Well, I found out, not long after I bought it that the blanket, when it is on my bed, needs to be covered by my comforter in order to reach its full potential.  The blanket has the ability to keep me warm, but it can't do it by itself....it needs some help.  I was hoping that today, being folded under my back, my body would serve as a proper covering.  And just like that: my mind began to circle.

Do you know how much I love the disciples?  I really do love them...for a number of reasons.  But one of the best things about them is their absolute inability to grasp the full concept of what Jesus was trying to tell them during the final days of His life.  The disciples were clueless (well, technically they were clueless for a lot longer)!  Today we are going to take a trip into the book of John.  We find the disciples and Jesus having a meal together at the Passover Feast.  Jesus is at the very end of His earthly ministry.  He is about to be betrayed by Judas, handed over to be arrested and then crucified.  He knows all of this....the disciples know nothing.  So, we have the Twelve and Jesus having their meal, when Jesus "got up from the meal, took off his outer clothing, and wrapped a towel around his waist. After that, he poured water into a basin and began to wash his disciples feet, drying them with the towel that was wrapped around him." John 12:4-5  The disciples were confused, embarrassed, in shock...just to name a few emotions.  Foot washing was reserved for slaves, not servants, but something lower than that.  And here was their Teacher, their Rabbi, their Leader, bending low to wash their feet.  They had trouble understanding.  Peter wanted no part of it.  Jesus told him, "You do not realize now what I am doing, but later you will understand." John 12:7  I can just see the disciples with these utterly bewildered looks on their faces!  I've heard them called the "duh-ciples" because they just didn't get it.  They had been with Jesus for three years up to this point.  He had taught them.  He had performed miracles in front of them.  They had performed miracles.  Peter had walked on water.  And still they missed the point.  Jesus knew they were going to need some help.  He was sending them out to continue the work of spreading His gospel to the ends of the earth.  Jesus promised them that He would send His Holy Spirit, to help them understand, "I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Counselor to be with you forever--the Spirit of truth." John 14:16

You see, the "duh-ciples" had the ability to preach and spread the Word of God.  Jesus placed that ability deep within them.  But they couldn't understand that on their own.  They needed a "covering" or Comforter to insulate them so they could fully process everything they had seen, heard and learned while at the feet and side of Jesus.  You've heard the old saying, "hind sight is 20/20"?  That's what they were experiencing.  Looking back, everything made sense.  By ourselves we understand nothing, but with the help of the Holy Spirit the floodgates of understanding spring wide open.  Just like my blanket...by itself, it doesn't get very warm, but when I throw my comforter on top of it---umm, cozy.  Ask God for a deeper understanding of His Word today.  I promise you will NOT be disappointed.  Have a blessed weekend and a very HAPPY NEW YEAR!!

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