God's Wheel

I have been hit lately with those questions we have all been asked when tragedy occurs. "What kind of God would do this?" And the all popular, "Why?" Questions like these have come my way from a friend who is struggling in their relationship with God. Can any of us answer that? Of course not.
There are several ideas though from many different points of view. One is God always has a plan. Another? You have to trust in God. Other folks would comment that you must always remember God is love. Some say it isn't God; it is the devil. Or it is sin. We have free will, God did not make us robots and we make our choices. My husband had an eye opening view. Even in the garden of Eden, the devil was slithering around. I hadn't heard that before. Mind boggling.
A former pastor once said in a sermon he doesn't know what to say to people who ask him, "Why? Why my wife or child?" The hard part for him is people expect him to have the answer because he is a pastor. He does ponder that perhaps it is because our relationship with God is like a wheel. God wants us right there next to Him in the center of that wheel. However, because we are sinful, selfish and (my personal favorite) think we know better than God we don't ask for His wisdom and do our own thing. We slide out on the axle of our own selfishness if you will.
Let's face it, we do this all the time. And, be honest, how much do we pray when things are just jim dandy? But, when times are hurtful, we are down on our knees. It's like having a friend who only calls you when things are crummy, never when they are a blessing. My sister says sometimes God gets our attention in little ways and sometimes He gets our attention in big ways. No matter what way He gets our attention, we should listen better.
I like the wheel theory. Maybe because I am so visual and it paints a picture I can relate to. God allows some things to happen to bring us back around to Him. When "bad" things have happened to me I usually worry, cry , shake my fist at God or even curse. Not the best choice. I have even turned my back on Him. But He never turned His back on me. He was always there, waiting patiently. He knew I'd come around. I'm not that full of myself, though at times I come pretty close. Since He knows me best-all of us for that matter-He gets that too. Loves us anyway.
We don't always get our answers to "why" or "what kind of". We aren't supposed to. We are suppose to walk with God and listen closely. Stay in the center of God's wheel. The ride is smooth and the view is beautiful!

God's Name

Has anyone noticed that lots of people are taking the Lord's name in vain lately? We hear it in movies, in classrooms, in songs; everywhere. It's almost a cool thing to say, like the latest slang.
Does anyone ever remember that this is a commandment? Putting "damn" behind it is fairly popular too. My friends in the South that I went to school with NEVER said it. And I mean never. I greatly admired them for that. I admired them for a lot but that was the most admirable trait.
The other day I heard my little one say it. I nearly fell over. I explained why we don't say it, that we are to respect God's name. Always. I think she/he understood.
Of course I've said it. I've cursed with it too. I'm not proud of that fact. I pray and ask God to help me recall my advice to my children. God's name is holy. Call on Him in joy and sorrow. Even in anger. But do it properly. He's always there to answer.