January 8
“ . . . it was granted her to be clothed with fine linen, bright and pure” – for the fine linen is the righteous deeds of the saints. Revelation 19:8
There is something comforting about the look and feel of clean, fine linens, just washed, folded neatly, and smelling sweet. How good it feels to crawl into a freshly made bed at the end of a long day when the body is aching and tired, the soft clean sheets wrapping our senses in a cooling and soothing cocoon! Bath towels and wash cloths laundered and fluffy speak of the plentitude of water, that gift of life God has given us. To have the luxury of bathing each day when others in this world have little or no water to drink compels us to be responsible and to preserve this precious gift from God.
Table linens, clean and ready for the next meal or event give us a feeling of preparedness and thoughts of thankfulness for the blessing of having enough food to share with others as we look forward to who will be with us at the next gathering. Treasured memories of the last meal shared, give us pause for reflection on the gift of family and friends. Clean starched altar cloths white against the table of our Lord, reminds us that God covers us with his loving kindness as we prepare for the Eucharist - that we have been personally invited to partake in His sacred meal.
On reflection, it is easy to see why fine linen represents the righteous acts of God’s people. When acts are righteous, motives spring from loving hearts, focused on the needs of an individual or whole and what is right, not on what is the public view. Behavior is pure and selfless - an element of innocence surrounds it; ideas are fresh and bright; and perseverance to follow through with the undertaking that was begun remains consistent. Most of all, a hopeful spirit is ever present.
How good it is to reflect on what we do – that the smallest thing, when done with purity of heart, when performed while being offered up to God, is a righteous act carried out by one of God’s chosen people- you.
Jesus, throughout this day we offer to you, each and every thing we do.
My dear blog friends, I ask you to keep my wonderful Mother-in-law, Nan, who is very ill in your prayers. She has been hospitalized for several days with complications following the flu and having a very difficult time. Thank you my friends.
Copyright© 2014 Kathleen A. Matson
“ . . . it was granted her to be clothed with fine linen, bright and pure” – for the fine linen is the righteous deeds of the saints. Revelation 19:8
There is something comforting about the look and feel of clean, fine linens, just washed, folded neatly, and smelling sweet. How good it feels to crawl into a freshly made bed at the end of a long day when the body is aching and tired, the soft clean sheets wrapping our senses in a cooling and soothing cocoon! Bath towels and wash cloths laundered and fluffy speak of the plentitude of water, that gift of life God has given us. To have the luxury of bathing each day when others in this world have little or no water to drink compels us to be responsible and to preserve this precious gift from God.
Table linens, clean and ready for the next meal or event give us a feeling of preparedness and thoughts of thankfulness for the blessing of having enough food to share with others as we look forward to who will be with us at the next gathering. Treasured memories of the last meal shared, give us pause for reflection on the gift of family and friends. Clean starched altar cloths white against the table of our Lord, reminds us that God covers us with his loving kindness as we prepare for the Eucharist - that we have been personally invited to partake in His sacred meal.
On reflection, it is easy to see why fine linen represents the righteous acts of God’s people. When acts are righteous, motives spring from loving hearts, focused on the needs of an individual or whole and what is right, not on what is the public view. Behavior is pure and selfless - an element of innocence surrounds it; ideas are fresh and bright; and perseverance to follow through with the undertaking that was begun remains consistent. Most of all, a hopeful spirit is ever present.
How good it is to reflect on what we do – that the smallest thing, when done with purity of heart, when performed while being offered up to God, is a righteous act carried out by one of God’s chosen people- you.
Jesus, throughout this day we offer to you, each and every thing we do.
My dear blog friends, I ask you to keep my wonderful Mother-in-law, Nan, who is very ill in your prayers. She has been hospitalized for several days with complications following the flu and having a very difficult time. Thank you my friends.
Copyright© 2014 Kathleen A. Matson