May 28th-29th - Let's Play!

Theme
Forgotten

Readings
2 Samuel 13:1-15:22- ...so Absalom stole the hearts of the people of Israel.
John 17:1-18:24- So the soldiers, their officer, and the Jewish police arrested Jesus and bound him.
Psalm 119:81-112- Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.
Proverbs 16:6-9- The human mind plans the way, but the LORD directs the steps.

God's Word
I have not forgotten you.

Story
Things were really going well for the mouse and his family the past month or so. For some reason the humans had been leaving so many leftovers and treats in the trash can under the sink that Father Mouse had no need even to stray out into the open. All the food he ever needed lay right at his front door. With ease each day the family feasted as if they were living as kings and queens and royalty.

Then, in the background, there was a faint knock on the front door of the house that grew louder and louder. Finally the Master of the House answered the door. Father Mouse stepped out to see what was going on. The Master was arrested by some Police and taken away. Then the Master's family left the house.

The food under the sink stopped. This went on for weeks. Father Mouse found it necessary not only to wander outside into the house in search for food, but outside of the very house to find food. Father Mouse had forgotten how good it was when the Master of the House was with him. All the food that was present and the blessings he was freely given. But now that Father Mouse had to wander outside along with Mother Mouse to find any food at all, they realized what the Master had been doing for them all along.

Soon the family returned. But the Master was not with them. He had been bound and put in jail. Everyone was so sad. The Master had not committed the crime. The Master was taking on punishment he did not deserve. But somehow the Master's family and household managed to hang on. Surely the Master must be dead now for the crime he never committed. And then it occurred.

One day there was a knock at the door. The Master had returned. Returned and seemed to appear out of nowhere. Life was good once again. The Master did not stay for long though. He was required to leave once again. The Master promised to return again. But in the meantime, he left his household the gifts and abilities they needed to survive. The Master would live through and in the household of his family. The Master would come day after day in word and spirit to take the family out into the world to gather the blessings that he had in store not only for his immediate family, but to spread those same blessings into all the other families of the world.

It would be some hard work. It wouldn't be easy. But this was the job at hand. The Master would guide our steps along the way until that day he would return and take all of us to that wonderful Mansion he spoke of where there would no longer be want of food or warmth or even fighting amongst ourselves with the cat, but we would all live in that same love that the Master has for us and we for him.

Prayer
Lord, forgive my denials of You. Forgive me when I take selfish advantage of Your blessings. Forgive my unthankful heart. For You have filled my cup overflowing with blessings and love and faithfulness. I give You all thanks and glory. May I faithfully follow Your steps as You come to my door day after day. I joyfully go with You today, tomorrow and forever into Your Kingdom to spread the gifts and blessings You have given to me so that others may see You all around and likewise respond in joy to Your gracious love. ---Amen