Does it really matter?

A family is a risky venture, because the greater the love, the greater the loss. . . . That’s the trade-off. But I’ll take it all. –Brad Pitt

In our modern world, a family can take many different forms. What was once “traditionally” defined as a mother, father and 2.2 children is now much, much more. The intricate, colorful tapestry we weave with our lives becomes bolder and more brilliant, at once unique and diverse—and constantly changing.

The cycle is remarkable, if we think about it. We come in to the world helpless and hungry, wriggling and wailing, completely dependent on a grownup for—well, for everything. Left to their own devices, infants don’t stand a chance. What matters? Love matters, because loving leads to caring.

As that infant begins to grow, to change and spread her wings, her mantra becomes I can do it myself! Trials, successes—and failures—are daily occurrences. What matters? Love matters, love enough to let that child learn and grow (and fail), and move forward through Those Years and into adulthood.

Over the years, the roles change. Child becomes caregiver as his aging parents lead less and need more. Busy schedules make it challenging, sometimes, for the child to make time for visits or phone calls. Children of our own make us reflect on who we are as adult children. And so it goes. . . .

But one thing never changes. No matter who is caring for whom, Love matters. Love, in a tender touch, a phone call, a caring note or unscheduled visit. When the parent is no longer with us, the memories of Love go on forever. Love never ends.

Does someone you know need your loving presence today?


Monday Reflect today on who you are and how you live as a child. Perhaps your parents are no longer with us. Who in your life do you turn to? I Corinthians 13:11

Tuesday Do you have children of your own? Are you a parental figure to someone—or many? Reflect on where you allow God to lead in these relationships. Ephesians 6:1-4

Wednesday As you go through your day, observe. Look into the faces of those you meet or pass. Offer a smile or kind word. Philippians 2:14-16

Thursday (St. Patrick’s Day) Patrick was known as, “The Apostle of Ireland.” When he was forced to travel to a new land, he chose to offer Christ as he went. Today, wherever you are, offer Christ. 1 Peter 1:17

Friday Set aside space today for silence. Try to eliminate as many distractions as you can stand to eliminate. Allow yourself to simply be. Journal if you wish. Malachi 4:17-18

Saturday Pause today and reflect on where the week has been challenging. Pray for guidance and to return to the Way as we begin Holy Week. Mark 1:15

Sunday (Palm/ Passion Sunday) For Christians, today is a day of contrast. Allow your heart to experience the Christ victorious—and the Christ seemingly defeated. John 19:25-27


Home is the place where, when you have to go there, they have to take you in. 
–Robert Frost

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Spiritual dehydration

  Inside myself is a place where I live all alone, and that is where I renew my springs that never dry up. –Pearl S. Buck   The past two years (at least) have been exhausting, haven’t they? We had a pandemic that physically left us anxious and afraid. Our churches, where we go for nourishment, were closed or online longer than we wanted—and even now, we are careful. Politically, we have been divided against one another, and those wounds are still bleeding in many cases. We need to take care of ourselves. And it’s never been more difficult. What to do? How do I make time in our busy schedules—for me ? The simple answer: Whatever it takes. Remember when we would fly to a vacation destination? How the flight attendant would remind us that if the cabin loses pressure, the oxygen masks would drop down out of the ceiling? And that before we offer to help anyone else, we need to have our own masks in place ? Good advice for life in general. Today: Pause. Take inventory ...
Read more

What are you waiting for?

  The waiting is the hardest part. –Tom Petty   We spend a lot of time waiting. Waiting for the coffee to finish dripping. Waiting for the light to turn green. Waiting for the next available agent. It’s inevitable, really. We cannot always be first, and if we aren’t first, we’ll have to wait. But I think the more important thing is to ask yourself: How am I at waiting? Do I find myself getting anxious and fidgety? Am I worrying about things not going the way I really need them to go? Is my attitude rubbing off on people around me? The best way to wait is not to worry where we are in line, or gripe about wasted time. The best way to wait—is to be right there , in the moment of waiting. The disciples waited in fear; we wait in hope. Why not use this waiting time to pray? Welcome God’s presence into your heart. Ask God to bring you into the moment. Inquire what God would ask of you in this moment . Thank God for wisdom, patience, humor. . . . Take a d-e...
Read more

Don't be afraid.

Living is a great deal more than simply not dying. It is carrying out a mission, committing oneself to fashion some meaning that will attain eternity. –Leonardo Boff When asked, “What are you afraid of?” we offer a myriad of answers: snakes, spiders, flying in an airplane. But when pressed, many people, believers and non-believers alike, will admit that the one thing they fear most, at the core of their being, is death. Most of us enjoy having control over our lives, and frankly, we have very little control over, or way of knowing, how or when our earthly journey will end. And we have even fewer concrete answers about what will happen next. We have the profession of our faith and the occasional “crossing-over” story—but. No wonder death is near the top of that list. But sometimes, as I look around, it seems like people are less fearful about dying—and more afraid of living. Really cutting loose and enjoying our time together as human beings privileged to live in God’s am...
Read more