Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:6-7 -

The Hartford, Connecticut, 911 dispatchers field some 160, 000 emergency calls each year.

No, that's not right. They receive 160,000 phone calls every year. Of those 160,000 calls only half are real bona fide emergencies. The rest fit into the "It's really not that big a deal" category. I probably don't have to tell you a recent call made to 911 by an unnamed woman fits into the second category.

The lady's problem was this: she had ordered a small half-bacon pizza, and the delivery boy showed up with a half-hamburger pizza. Even worse, the company had declined to give the woman a refund.

She took her problem to a higher court. She asked the police: "Can't you guys do something?"

Much to her credit the 911 dispatcher didn't get irate; she didn't chew out the caller for having wasted her time; she didn't give the woman the impression her call was unimportant and inconsequential. In the politest tones possible the dispatcher encouraged the woman to go to the pizza place and try to get satisfaction.

Fearing the complaint might become violent, the dispatcher sent a policeman to the pizza place.

Now if I were a guessing man, I'd be willing to go out on the limb and say most of our readers think the 911 call was absolutely absurd, and some of you may think the caller should be penalized for wasting the time of the dispatcher.

I would prefer you turn your eyes to the 911 operator. Look at her as she patiently, calmly listens to people's needs: the big needs, the little needs, the legitimate needs, and the totally bogus needs. The 911 operator fields them all.

We shouldn't be surprised our Lord does the same thing. That's why King David could write: "I love the LORD, because He has heard my voice and my pleas for mercy. Because He inclined His ear to me, therefore I will call on Him as long as I live" (Psalm 116:1-2).

What a word picture David paints.

The all-powerful Creator of the universe is listening to our small, human voices. Even more, from His heavenly throne the Lord has inclined His ear. He is all attention to the pleas and praises of His people. Little wonder David, and we, should love the Lord and call on Him as long as we live.

THE PRAYER: Dear Lord, not only have You saved sinful humanity through Jesus' unique and wonderful sacrifice; You also are ready to hear our prayers, petitions and pleas. For all of this may we show our love and heartfelt appreciation. In Jesus' Name I ask it. Amen.

In Christ I remain His servant and yours,

Today's Bible Readings: Judges 1-3    Luke 12:32-59

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