Again, and again, and....

"This was now the third time that Jesus had appeared to the disciples after he was raised from the dead." (John 21:14)

What is your "go to" place, or thing to do, when you are feeling too much pressure for too long a period of time?  You may call it a "retreat," a "hideout," a "man cave," or any of a number of names decorators have given for the quiet spaces in our lives.  I call mine a "sewing room," or "my chair," depending on energy level and what I am hoping to accomplish.  The chair works better for knitting, or a nap (depending on energy) but the sewing room works better for - are you ready for this? - sewing.  As in finding, cutting, ironing and, or, sewing (quilting) fabric.  Both are regular, I would say ordinary, things that happen with me.

In the Gospel reading, today, the disciples are feeling overwhelmed.  A lot has happened in a very short period of time.  In the past few weeks they have watched Jesus enter Jerusalem - in a parade no less, clean out the Temple be put on trial, be killed, be buried and they know Jesus lives because they have seen him.  Right now one of them, Peter (21:3), has declared a break - "I'm going fishing."  And the other 10 agree "we'll go with you."  (v.3)  They fish, pretty much all night, without catching any fish.   "At dawn" (v. 4 NLT) Jesus is there on the beach but the "disciples couldn't see who he was." (v. 4)  He tells them to cast their nets on the "other side" which they do and they get so many fish they can't get the net in the boat. (v. 6)  AND Jesus has a fire going, is cooking breakfast and invites them to add their fish to the meal.  (v. 10)  Jesus meets them where they are to feed them - physically and spiritually.

Have you felt God's presence in "your space"?  Have you felt God "feeding" you with strength and peace?  As Caregivers we get very tired, pressured and too many things are happening over too long a period of time - do you remember Emmanuel?  God IS with us, where we are, strengthening us.  Something to think about....