Hi everyone,
I don’t know if you know this about me, but I like being goofy (big surprise, I know). I like to joke around, laugh, and generally have fun in not taking myself too seriously. But I’m also aware that not everyone thinks that this kind of attitude is funny or even fun. They’d rather me be serious.
Like, our kids for example.
Sometimes (like in the mornings), I come into their rooms to wake them up with a joyful tone in my voice, trying to get them ready for the day. This isn’t always (actually very rarely if ever) met with any kind of enthusiasm. Other times, like when they are busy playing their games or talking to their friends, I come in making noises that might make me laugh but make them cringe. They usually tell me to leave, sometimes even politely.
So I sometimes feel like I can be an annoying dad (however, the jury is still out on that one). And I get that I can get on their nerves at times. But while I try to give them their space and leave them alone when they want to be left alone, I also cannot help but to be me. I cannot just stop wanting to play with them, attempt to make them laugh, or just generally spend time with them.
Because however I try to slice it, my time with them is a gift. Of course I want them to see it as a gift as well, so I do try to curb the annoyingness, but I will cherish this time and spend it how it should be spent. I guess the key is to know these kids and know what it is they’re needing/wanting/hoping for, and try as I may to provide that for them.
That’s just how love works, I think.
Here are the readings for next week:
Zephaniah 1:7, 12-18
Psalm 90:1-8, 12
1 Thessalonians 5:1-11
Matthew 25:14-30
So here we have another one of them confusing parables. And the last one for this year, thank goodness. But we have a guy who is playing it safe. A guy who was afraid of his boss and tried his best not to rock the boat. A boat, by the way, that apparently didn’t mind being rocked a bit.
However, that guy didn’t know that. He didn’t know that his boss wasn’t how he pictured him. He didn’t find out whether his boss was kind or mean, friendly or harsh, generous or stingy. He just assumed the worst right off the bat. And his boss didn’t like that much.
Because this man didn’t see the gift he had in front of him. He didn’t let himself enjoy the time that he had. He didn’t learn how to love. Rather, he lived his life afraid, cautious, and paranoidily safe.
The thing is, we are taught that God is gracious and kind, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love. We are taught that God is our shepherd and keeps us in good hands. We are taught that God is love.
So instead of being afraid of that, we can embrace it and live life free of fear, basking in the graciousness of God, and accepting of this gift of time, community, and relationship, which truly makes life worth living.
Thanks be to God! Have a great week, everyone!
Photo by lauren lulu taylor on Unsplash