So…
When was the last time you were contagious?
For most of us it was probably the last time we had a cold or possibly the flu. Some of us are a little bit on the older side may even remember being contagious with things like measles and mumps and chicken pox!
I remember one vacation trip Sue and I took from Otisville to Alleghany State Park years ago. Katie was probably about 2 and Brian about 5. Katie and Brian were in the back of the car still in their pajamas since we put them in early in the morning and the car was stuffed with camping and vacation stuff!
We got part way across NY Route 17 and stopped for a quick diaper change and as Sue unzipped Katie out of her sleeper, she discovered that Katie had chicken pox. First day of our vacation, a three week vacation, and we were headed to a place with lots of other children, many who had not had chicken pox.
So, Sue spent all week with Katie on the back of her bike riding the roads and significant mountains of the State Park, so that no other kids would get infected, because Katie was contagious.
When was the last time you were contagious?
Recently, Sue and I went to a newer restaurant in Middletown called Frontera Tacos and Tequila. We have had such good meals there and even more important I suppose, we have had great family times; including a dinner the night before Sue’s big retirement party in July.
And we talk about it. A lot!
Several people we have told tried it out! BTW, Monday night is half off Margarita Pitchers, just saying!
We talk about the tacos, enchiladas, fajitas, burritos, charro, zesty coleslaw, and even the setting! Ask me and I will tell you about it. Don’t ask me and I will tell you about it!
And I will bet that you have a similar story about some place, some experience, some people, that quite frankly you enjoyed so much you couldn’t stop talking about!
About the class you attended, the beach you visited, the cruise line you sailed on, the folks you met in your class, the moments that made you laugh, and giggle, and cry with joy, the experiences and people that you remember because they touched your life.
Just like Naomi touched Ruth’s life.
The Old Testament Hero of today’s sermon could be Ruth. After all, she is the Gentile who becomes the great grandmother of King David. Her faith, a seed sewn by Naomi, grew into a towering oak, and her meeting of Boaz, her future husband was clearly guided by God, an amazing story.
But Naomi…
She of deepest faith in the face of overwhelming grief is the real hero.
The story goes that she married and had sons and traveled far from home only to lose her husband, and then her sons, but somehow, somehow, managed to keep her faith intact.
Faith in a God who loved her and had a purpose for her life, even though, as she told the folks back in Bethlehem when she got back, right now it was all unclear. And she told them that she had been through bitter times.
Bitter.
The times.
The situations.
The experiences.
But somehow, not Naomi was not bitter. She was still full of faith.
And, she was beloved by her daughters-in-law!
Just think about that!
Ruth and Orpah were willing to leave their families to be with this woman of grace and love and faith, who in the face of overwhelming odds believed that God still had her life in his hands and in his plans.
Is your faith that contagious?
Do you live in such a way that no matter what, people around, especially the ones closest to you see Jesus in you? See your faith, your grace, your love?
And if not, is it time to start building a faith that can handle the storms, the griefs, the challenges, the problems.
Sure, there is more to the story, soon their will be a son who will be a grandfather to Kind David.
But this story, well, it is about tow amazing Old Testament heroes, Ruth for sure, but Naomi too.
May God bless you with that kind of contagious faith!
Amen!
