Rebekah Hager's Hood Huddle

I was sitting in Starbucks this afternoon when a mom and her two young girls walked in. The first little one stood on her tiptoes to see over the counter and ordered "a really chocolate shake", and her sister requested an apple juice. The girls were thrilled when Mom told them they could each choose their very own treat from the pastry selection! It was obvious that this was an important occasion.

Mom ordered a latte, and when she paid at the register I could hear her explain, "These are our Daddy drinks. On the last Friday of each month, the girls and I come get a treat and spend an hour or so talking about Daddy. This is our third time here."

Three months without Dad. 90 days as a single mom. And this is just a small amount of time considering that Dad may be gone for more than a year. I am so grateful for those who are willing to serve our country and sacrifice so much - those who wear a uniform, and those who drink really chocolate shakes and talk about their daddy.

This afternoon when Good News Club ended I was responsible for escorting a handful of kids over to the facility for after-school day care. As we started our short walk, one of the girls grabbed my hand, looked up at me and asked, "Do you know that one of my friends doesn't believe in God?"

I responded by asking the girl, "What would make your friend believe in God?" I challenged the children to list reasons or things that prove God's existence. For the next two precious minutes they did just that. They mentioned creation - the grass we were walking through, the clouds overhead, themselves. They brought up family and love and the fact that God made all of that possible. One boy shrugged and said, "It just makes sense that He's real."

I left my little theologians at day care and couldn't help but smile as I walked back to the gym, amazed at the ordinary opportunity that God had redeemed for His extraordinary purposes.

Yesterday at club I noticed a third grader who wasn't taking part in her small group. She was detached, uninterested, and determined to stay that way. Last week I tried to engage her in conversation, but she refused to answer my questions or make eye contact. Last night I made the decision to speak to her parents about her behavior - if she wasn't going to participate, maybe she would rather not be at club ... and maybe my job would be a bit easier if I didn't have to worry about the situation.

Dad answered the phone. Within a few minutes I learned that Mom has been deployed for several months. I found out that my withdrawn third grader is currently in trouble at school because of bad behavior. I connected the dots and promptly felt extremely egocentric. My intent had been to dismiss a little one, a girl precious in His sight, a child looking for somebody to love her in the midst of transition. I had been so concerned with ministering to the ninety-nine that I totally overlooked the one. I am so grateful that Christ did not have that attitude towards me! I pray that He will give me insight and energy, as I pursue this girl and others like her, so that I can better communicate His great love to them.

Normally my morning quiet time is just that – quiet. I sip coffee. I read from my current devotional book. I entertain the idea of engaging with the daytime world. I read the next few chapters in my chronological Bible. This morning, I laughed out loud.

It all started with Ezekiel chapter 2. Though I have read the book of Ezekiel multiple times, I have never studied it or noticed the comedic element it contains. This morning, however, I found great joy in the fact that I am not the only person that has ever been given an impossible task by God. Throughout chapters 2 and 3 God tells Ezekiel, “I want you to take a message to some obnoxious people. They don’t listen to Me, so they probably won’t even acknowledge your existence, but this is your assignment.” I almost got distracted by the whole eating-of-the-scroll episode, but ultimately stayed occupied with the fact that God was telling His servant to do something seemingly pointless. He gave Ezekiel a mission that would be a waste of time and most certainly a failed attempt.  “Surely they will not listen to you, because they … are impudent and hard-hearted.” (Ezekiel 3:7, NKJV)

Enter my first chuckle. I recognized that description – there are difficult people in my life that I would characterize as selfish, set in their unhealthy ways, and determined to ignore God’s Truth. Even my job forces me to be in Ezekiel’s position to some degree. I’m often in challenging situations that require me to be diligent, determined, and probably annoyingly driven at times. But you know what? God has given me a task, and He has also promised to equip me for it. He guaranteed Ezekiel strength and His presence. He told Ezekiel that He would “make you as set in your way as they are in theirs. Don’t let them intimidate you. Don’t be afraid of them, even though they’re a bunch of rebels.” (Ezekiel 3:9, The Message)

Paul tells me that I can accomplish whatever God has set before me in His might (Philippians 4:13). If God is for me, who can be against me (Romans 8:31)? I was encouraged with the reminder that God will not leave me to face these challenges alone (Hebrews 13:5-6). I was also laughing at Ezekiel’s predicament, which seemed all too familiar. When faced with reality, the options are to laugh or to cry, right? Well, it was too early in the day to cry, so I laughed. And it was refreshing. God reminded me that sharing His Message is a difficult task, but I am fully resourced by Him. People may not listen to me, but my focus must remain on obedience to the One Who sends me.

Ezekiel obeyed. He didn’t have the best attitude, but eventually he followed God’s instructions. Then he did something that made me laugh out loud – he “came to the place … and sat there astonished for seven days.” (Ezekiel 3:15, NKJV) Maybe it was just my second cup of coffee, but more likely it was the image I got of myself facing the tasks God presents to me that made me laugh. Other versions of the Bible describe Ezekiel as appalled or stunned. He was shocked! He was scared! He was overwhelmed! I wonder if Ezekiel ever just sat in the weight of his situation. I wonder if, when he recognized that only God could come up with such a paradoxical plan, he laughed out loud?

If you haven't noticed, this blog isn't updated very often. One reason for that is facebook - I upload pictures to the "Military Children's Ministry - Ft. Hood, TX" group often, and you can find stories there, too. Facebook provides a great format for networking and sharing what God is doing at Fort Hood!