Passwords

Passwords! When we were young you felt so special to have a password that allowed you to share secrets with your club members. Now it feels like I've got a million of them. There is a password to sign on for multiple work tasks: e-mail, service calendar, leave requests, 2 different testing pages, graphics site, Safety data base, ID software, security alarm and door entry. Then once I get home there are passwords for my personal e-mail, facebook, blog, Dallas Morning News, New York Times, Amazon, PayPal, Electronic checking, Toll tag, Cokesbury, i-tunes, travel sites, MusicNotes, and I'm sure there is more but I'm getting a brain lock just thinking about them all. It's no wonder that I have to sit for a few seconds thinking about the right password for that program entry. You are never supposed to write down your passwords, but when you only use it once a year it's almost impossible to keep them all straight. You can't always use the same one because of different requirements of length, special characters and number placement. At work we are forced to change our primary codes at least twice a year and the programs realize if you are repeatedly making the codes too similar and your new password gets rejected. You are encouraged to come up with a sentence and then use first letters to create the password instead of using actual words which could be easier to decode. It's all for our own security, which is a good thing with rampant identity theft, and perhaps another benefit is that the passwords may keep our brains alert as a memory puzzle!

My prayer for the congregation?

Dear God, You are open and receptive to entreats at all times. You don’t ask us to supply secret words of fraternity whenever we wish to be in relationship with you, but accept us warmly and lovingly without limitations. What a treasure, to know that anytime we reach out, you are there. Even in your silences, there is still your love. Your kingdom is not a secret community but rather far-reaching and inclusive. We offer thanksgivings for the open invitation and gladly accept. Amen.