71. Unnamed

As he stepped in, he was welcomed by a fine, eloquent man.

"Charles."

"I prefer to be called Carlos."

"Pardon me. Carlos," said the well-groomed, middle-aged doctor. "Ahem," he cleared his throat. "Carlos, what brings you here today?"

"I think I need some counseling."

"What's wrong?"

"Recently, I've been unwilling to face my problems. I have baking deadlines, quotas to meet, and have been unable to get myself to work. I don't know how to approach all this work. I don't know where to start. On top of that, I see so many problems. Problem problems. Problems with starting the fire, problems with apple picking, problems in the kitchen, problems with mixing ingredients... I don't know how to fix or approach any of them. I just want to escape and not think about any of it."

The doctor maintained his gaze to the side and was silent for a few seconds. Without shifting his eyes, he answered, "Carlos... I'm sorry, Carlos. I can't give you any answers. All I can say is to keep praying. Only Jesus can fix your problems. I am just your alter ego--an alter ego of an alter ego. I have enough problems of my own.

By the way, happy new year."

70. Achen's Sin

"What is it this time?" asked Moses.

"Theft. Mostly women's money pouches and belongings. I don't know how he got into the camps," said Miriam.

"Did any of them catch a glimpse of what he looked like?"

"The women said he was tall and had a dark veil and was wearing a short plaid tunic, but it was too dark to see much."

The elders assembled to talk about enhancing the security among the tribes.

During the meeting, one of the elders Yoniel had a suspect. "One of the men in my camps acts a bit weird. However, people say he's usually like that. He's a Gentile and new to our daily proceedings. He's leaving tomorrow."

Josiah commented, "Ah, that man! He often wears a black veil and short tunic. He always wears short tunics."

"Whoaa!" exclaimed Aaron.

"Okay, let's not judge. We'll keep an eye out and pray for God to reveal this mystery to us," said Moses.

After the meeting, Hur told some of the elders that he'd rather have everyone search his tent so people wouldn't suspect him as well. Tensions were high, and everyone had an eye on his neighbor.

Night patrol. Report of suspicious behavior. Camp searches. Individual tents were instructed to be tightly secured when temporarily uninhabited.

How could the thief have gotten away with this? How could this have happened? And to God's own people too!

One day during the afternoon Scriptural reading and meditation, a young tribe leader named Achen self-reflected. He pondered his sins. How could he even be in such a position among Israel when he had committed such sins? Then, he thought of a possibility of why the recent theft was allowed to occur. Perhaps this breach--this defeat--was because of his sin.

Perhaps it was because of Achen's sin.

69. Power of Prayer

After watching Grave of the Fireflies, I went to see what my parents were up to. I found mom in bed. She was having stomach problems. Telling me to pray with her, we struggled to get her out of bed and on her knees to pray. After praying for a while, she told me she felt a lot better. She was very surprised. Thank Lord Jesus! May He continue to guide our family so we may receive spiritual healing.

68. Questions

Sometimes I'm afraid to ask questions in class because I feel that there are people who are more ahead than I am in the material and would be annoyed at me for slowing down the teacher with my questions.

Sometimes I'm afraid the teacher will think my question is dumb if I ask it.

Sometimes I'm afraid the teacher will make a joke when I ask my question.

Sometimes I'm afraid I will phrase my question poorly.

Sometimes I'm afraid the teacher will ask me to repeat my question.

Sometimes I'm afraid the teacher will choose to not answer my question.

Sometimes I'm afraid I will have to put my hand back down if the teacher doesn't see me raise my hand.

Sometimes I wish that nobody knew me, that nobody knew my name, that nobody would remember my face and voice.

Then, I could ask all the questions I want.

67. Amalekites, still here?

"As long as Moses held up his hands, the Israelites were winning, but whenever he lowered his hands, the Amalekites were winning." (Ex 17:11)

Sometimes when we lift up our hands, we expect a sudden victory. We expect the Amalekites to conveniently kill each other, explode, or run away. However, when the Israelites were winning, it wasn't a sudden victory. Moses lifted up his hands, and the Amalekites were still there, as scary and ferocious as before, coming on to the Israelites with everything they had. "Winning" during that battle was gradual, not a one time atomic bomb that dropped right when Moses lifted his hands.

Sometimes our hands start to get tired. We start to lose hope and faith. "Am I really winning? My problems are still here. How come they haven't disappeared? I keep lifting my prayerful hands, but I haven't overcome this battle yet. What's the point? Is there even a difference if I just lower my hands?"

Indeed, the key to overcoming the Amalekites was Moses keeping his prayerful hands up. Even though the enemies still existed, they were winning. This is a spiritual eyesight we must also have.

Even though you've prayed many times, and it seems like the Amalekites are still here, don't give up. Remember, there are Aarons and Hurs lifting up your hands with their hands. Also remember, God has promised, "I will completely blot out the name of Amalek from under heaven." (Ex 17:14b)

66. Don't Call Me Naomi

"Can this be Naomi?"

"Don't call me Naomi! Call me Mara, for the Almighty has dealt very bitterly with me. I went out full, and the LORD has brought me home again empty. Why do you call me Naomi, since the LORD has testified against me, and the Almighty has afflicted me?”