Who Comes First?

"In the beginning was the Word. ..." (John 1:1)

Our neighbor’s little girl spent Thursdays with us for a number of years until she was old enough for school. At lunch each day we’d give thanks and of course finish with "Amen." We pronounced it Ah-men. Katie would start to giggle and say, "No, no, Gramma Barb. It’s A-men."

One day I asked her how come our "Ah-men" wouldn’t do. "You don’t understand, Gramma Barb. We say ‘A-men’ at our church because A is the first letter, and Jesus comes first, too."

Thank you, Katie, for reminding me that Jesus comes first in my life — if my life is to have meaning, value, joy. How often I find myself relegating Jesus to the back burner. I’m rushed, and there isn’t time for morning devotions. I’m weary, and I fall asleep before I’ve taken time to thank God for the events and gifts of my day.

It’s strange, but when I’m in trouble or angry or sad, prayer is the first thing on my mind. I know that God’s guidance is necessary if I’m going to get through the day, handle the problem, find the joy again. Yet when everything is going just great, I don’t always take time to share the pleasure with God. To say thank you. To say I love you.

Thank you, Katie, for showing me what’s really important.

Beyond the Door
1. "In the beginning was the Word." How clear this verse from the Gospel of John is! It’s foundational — the first words out of John’s mouth. So we know it must be important. Katie’s way of saying it is foundational, too — and practical! The next time you say "A-men," pronounce it Katie’s way, and think of her A-1 way of remembering that "Jesus is first" in our lives.

2. As you go about your life today, ask Jesus to be your guide and companion.

3. How do we as church members, and as participants in Women of the ELCA, reveal that Jesus is first in our lives?

4. How do we hear God, and Jesus, calling to us?