Excerpt from Psalm 145:10-18

"God gives a hand to those down on their luck, gives a fresh start to those ready to quit . . . the trademark on all God's work is love. God's there, listening for all who pray, for all who pray and mean it."  (The Message)

Reflection by Ron Buford

A newspaper ad: "LOST DOG, One eye, no teeth, one ear torn half off. Answers to the name of Lucky."

Mom cooked for Gigi, my childhood French poodle, when there were no leftovers. Gigi didn't eat dog food. Across the street, Champ, a rather unattractive generic dog, with one leg missing and other issues, was the fastest dog in the world. Champ ate regular dog food.

Years later, because of arthritis and heart problems, due in part to her privileged diet, we had to put Gigi down. When we got home, guess who was running around in the yard across the street, faster than ever? Champ.

Job, the oldest book in the Bible, says that human existence is "but a few days and full of trouble." Whether the writer meant that the days or the humans are full of trouble is unclear—both are true. Trouble and bad luck touch us all — some more than others, especially the poor, those discriminated against, the mentally ill, the unemployed and so many more.

But trouble still comes to all types of people, and contrary to popular opinion, it is not God's punishment. "God's trademark is love," lifting humanity from despair, bad luck and trouble.

Prayer

Gracious God, until the lion lays down with the lamb, until we have beaten swords into ploughshares, until those dying at a hundred are considered accursed for dying so young, we are grateful you still listen when we pray – rich or poor, Democrat or Republican, gay or straight, able-bodied or disabled. Thanks for putting the unshakeable joy of Champ in our hearts, overcoming alienation, fear, questions, and doubt.  Amen.

About the Author Ron Buford is Interim Minister for Discipleship at Old South Church in Boston, Massachusetts. The former coordinator of the UCC's God is still speaking campaign, Ron consults with UCC conferences and churches across the nation and appears in the DVD-based progressive theology series, Living the Questions 2.0.