Sunday, August 25, 2024  

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Today's Scripture
Acts 9:32–43

Now as Peter went here and there among all the believers, he came down also to the saints living in Lydda. There he found a man named Aeneas, who had been bedridden for eight years, for he was paralyzed. Peter said to him, “Aeneas, Jesus Christ heals you; get up and make your bed!” And immediately he got up. And all the residents of Lydda and Sharon saw him and turned to the Lord.

Now in Joppa there was a disciple whose name was Tabitha, which in Greek is Dorcas. She was devoted to good works and acts of charity. At that time she became ill and died. When they had washed her, they laid her in a room upstairs. Since Lydda was near Joppa, the disciples, who heard that Peter was there, sent two men to him with the request, “Please come to us without delay.” So Peter got up and went with them; and when he arrived, they took him to the room upstairs. All the widows stood beside him, weeping and showing tunics and other clothing that Dorcas had made while she was with them. Peter put all of them outside, and then he knelt down and prayed. He turned to the body and said, “Tabitha, get up.” Then she opened her eyes, and seeing Peter, she sat up. He gave her his hand and helped her up. Then calling the saints and widows, he showed her to be alive. This became known throughout Joppa, and many believed in the Lord. Meanwhile he stayed in Joppa for some time with a certain Simon, a tanner. (NRSV)

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Reflection

I am a person who was raised on the idea that “To be early is to be on time. To be on time is to be late. And to be late is to be left.” I have a schedule, and I expect people to stick to it. I am not a big fan when someone reassures me that it will happen, “In God’s time.”

As I read this passage, I can be critical of Peter’s time. Aeneas has been bedridden for eight years. Then Peter shows up and tells the man “Get up.” Suddenly, the man is healed. But what about the last eight years?

If I were Tabitha (or Dorcas), I would have preferred for Peter to have shown up before she died. She could have been busy doing her works of charity and kindness if she had not been dead. Surely Peter could have just healed her illness, right? Why does God have to be so dramatic? Perhaps because then people notice. The residences of Lydda and Joppa see these great miracles and they appreciate God’s wonder.

It makes me think about all the little miracles. The everyday miracles that maybe no one is noticing. The ones no one will write down or shout about from rooftops. Perhaps next time I am early for something, I will take the time to notice those little blessings in my life.

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Prayer
God, give me the patience and understanding to accept that things will happen in their own time. And that is okay. Amen.

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Written by Katie Patterson, Manager for Worship and Youth Ministry

Reflection and Prayer © Fourth Presbyterian Church

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