Knock, Knock, KNOCK! (Lk 11:9-10) by Nellie Edwards

10 Oct Knock, Knock, KNOCK! (Lk 11:9-10) by Nellie Edwards

Welcome God now with this LIFE Group Devotion (FB), provided by LIFE Runners (FB).  Leaders.  Guest Authors.
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“And I tell you, ask and you will receive; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you.  For everyone who asks, receives; and the one who seeks, finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened.” ~ Lk 11:9-10 (full readings)
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Nellie’s Reflections:  So here’s the story:  You’re lying in bed one night and just feeling nice and woozy; at the threshold of a really good sleep, when… Knock knock…knock knock KNOCK!!  What?!  Who?!!!  This is not supposed to happen!!  You want what?  No, I’m not getting up for a lousy slice of bread for no one, no way!   Knock knock…knock knock knock!!!  Oh for Pete’s sake…  OK, ok….OK!!   We can all relate, yes?  But we usually see ourselves not as the knocker, but as the oh-so disturbed sleeper!  The Gospel reading today is a good reminder that the core of the Gospel is God’s Mercy.  If we honestly look at ourselves, we are the knockers, the ‘wanters’ of God’s provision and forgiveness.  We often think of how others annoy or presume on our generosity, but too often, with human nature being what it is, we don’t stop to think of how much we depend on the mercy of the Lord.  Recently, I cozied in to a comfy armchair at a well known bookstore.  I usually work alone at home, but sometimes I just like to be around other people.  Soon after getting situated, I realized I needed a power nap and I was just getting there when I heard a voice, “Are you sleeping?”  Next question, “Do you think they sell a lot of books here?”  After a faint, “Probably,” she says, “I read that animals and humans are 75% alike; do you agree?”  Seriously!  I was so tempted to put her off and go back to the work-in-progress, my nap!  Yet, thanks to that ‘still, small voice’ of the Lord, I discerned this to be someone in need of Jesus in me.  Turns out she is “not Catholic,” but her 102 year old mother is devoutly so.  Her name is Rita and it’s her birthday.  She asks what I do, so I show her on my laptop the sacred artwork I’ve done over the past 6 years.  She says she likes it, and later, as she departs, I tell her, “I’ll see you again soon I hope, and I’ll bring you a piece of my sacred art as a birthday gift.”  You would’ve thought I offered her the three loaves of bread from today’s Gospel.
* Nellie Edwards is a wife and mother of eight children, residing in Minot, ND.  She has been a Life advocate since the early 80′s, twice going to trial for ‘sidewalk counseling’ and both times vindicated. See her anointed ProLife/Sacred Art.
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Faith Challenge:  Are you listening for God’s call?  Can you hear Him knocking?  Do you hear the “still, small voice of the Lord”?  Listen today for an opportunity to witness for Life.
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Counter-Culture News:  LifeSiteNews, LifeNews, American Family, Vatican, Project Rachel.
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Our Prayers:  Pray LIFE Runners Creed to end abortion.  Add Prayers. Pray with meals, bedtime, wake up, unceasingly. Consider mid-week Family Rosary (17 min). Let’s pray now.
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Feast Day:  Saint Francis Borgia.
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Faith Quote:  “The very contradictions in my life are in some ways signs of God’s mercy toward me.” ~ Thomas Merton
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Through Christ Our Lord,
Nellie