As patriarch of our family, since both my father and Janet’s father are gone, I really don’t expect any special gifts for Father’s Day. But I know that Janet and the kids wouldn’t hear of not recognizing and memorializing the day in some special way – and it always include gifts. Last night, Kristin had us for a very nice dinner and then presented me with a really unusual hand made bird feeder. Janet and I love feeding the birds and this great gift is already a welcome addition to the summertime routine we have here at the house. This afternoon, Janet and I went out in the yard and found the perfect place for my new bird palace – and we already have birds making themselves at home in the new addition.
This morning, Janet brought out a package from our daughter Jill. It had two beautiful shirts from my favorite store, Orvis. I love that store and it goes without saying that I really like anything that you can get there. Jill thinks ahead and she must have gone there when she was in town last month. I really admire the way she plans things and she is always thoughtful, just like the two other kids, when it comes to giving gifts.
And then, a package arrived from Amazon just as Andrew was coming over to help me with a project in the garage. He and Janet were pretty excited as I opened something called an “Amazon Echo.” Now many of you may already know what this is, but I must be living in the Dark Ages. I have never heard of an “Echo” and it turns out that this piece of technology connects to the house wifi and is kind of like a glorified “Suri” on the iPhone.
It goes by the name of Alexa and I haven’t even begun to understand “her” capabilities. It seems that Alexa can tell you what the weather will be anywhere in the world, can call up and play songs that you request, can set a timer and perform a whole list of other tasks that almost defy imagination. All this happens while conversing in a normal tone of voice.
As I was getting ready to help Janet with the dishes I asked Alexa to find a Beach Boys song and, suddenly, the room was filled with the sounds of one of my favorite groups. Apparently, Alexa has access to more than one million songs, or say the info says.
Anyway, I got to thinking about all the things that I could ask for. It didn’t take long for me to realize that immediate access to information could spoil me in an instant. Sure, we all know how to use Google and other search engines, including the famous Suri for iPhone, but Alexa seems so much more advanced, and it’s so easy… It will take some getting used to but it will all work out in the end – Alexa seems to be able to do almost anything I ask. I have to stop and think if that is a good thing – asking without thinking about the need for my request…
The whole experience reminds me of the words of Jesus. We are told that Jesus came to Earth to do the will of the Father and that He will grant whatever we ask in His name. This means that our will must be in alignment with the will of God – and we can depend on the promises of God. Our verse for the evening is from the Gospel of John. John 16:23-24, “….. I tell you the truth, my Father will give you whatever you ask in my name. Until now you have not asked for anything in my name. Ask and you will receive, and your joy will be complete.”
My encouragement tonight is that God wants our joy to be complete. That is one of His fondest desires for us. My prayer is that you will consider what desires you have that are in alignment with the will of God for your life. By being in alignment with the Father and His Son, you can rest assured that your prayers will be answered! Have a great day in the Lord, grace and peace…