AAUGH!

Thirty-seven. According to the first result to the query “How many times did Lucy pull the football on Charlie Brown?” the answer is thirty-seven. You’ve probably seen a few of these cartoons where Lucy insists that this time it will be different. THIS time she will hold the ball in place a let Charlie Brown kick it. THIS time she is sincere. We all know how the scene ends though… with an run, an “Aaugh!”, a thump, and an explanation as to why Lucy decided to pull the ball away this time. It’s a conundrum indeed for Charlie Brown. His desires to trust his friend is stronger than the negative conditioning from being repeatedly deceived by Lucy. (Boy, that is a really sad synopsis of the story, eh?)

In case you haven’t noticed, it seems that trust is short supply these days. For every topic ‘du jour’ there is a group that vehemently supports it and a group that equally tries to disprove it. I’ll save you the list. However it IS equally exhausting to navigate our world right now when just about every conversation feels like it could be a some sort of a booby trap waiting to spring and getcha! I believe many folks are like Charlie Brown right now, simply searching for someone they can trust.

It is important that we remember that we can place our trust in God. There is peace and comfort knowing that God promises us good and not harm. We give thanks that God has never yanked the football to teach us ‘the hard way!” God’s way is steadfast love and grace!

Luke 11: 9-13 ‘So I say to you, ask, and it will be given to you; search, and you will find; knock, and the door will be opened for you. For everyone who asks receives, and everyone who searches finds, and for everyone who knocks, the door will be opened. Is there anyone among you who, if your child asks for a fish, will give a snake instead of a fish? Or if the child asks for an egg, will give a scorpion? If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will the heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!’

Peace,  Pastor Andrew