Hi everyone,
So we’re in summer mode full swing now with the kids now, although this past week was pretty hectic. As the stars had it, all the programs that we signed them up for all was in this past (the first) week of summer. It wasn’t a lot, just our daughter was in dance and she and one of the boys were in bike camp.
Yup, bike camp. For reasons that are difficult to pinpoint and explain, our two younger never really learned how to ride a bike. We tried on a few occasions, and we even took their pedals off as was suggested by others, but still they never did get the hang of it.
Well, fast forward to this past week at this pretty pricey (in my opinion) bike camp and I’m proud to say that one of them is finally up on two wheels now. The other… well let’s just say we’ll need to spend a bit more time with them. Both of them, really. As while one is definitely on two wheels, that doesn’t mean that they’re good on them.
Here are the readings for next week:
Isaiah 55:10-13
Psalm 65:9-13
Romans 8:1-11
Matthew 13:1-9, 18-23
Patience is key. Throughout these texts we’re taught about God’s timing. From the changing of the seasons to when God’s message of love and grace is manifest in us, we need patience. Because things don’t always happen the way that we expect, the way that we want, or even the way that we cleverly orchestrate them to. But as the sower who doesn’t seem to be very good or at least efficient in his wasteful use of seeds, the joy wasn’t in the fruit but in the labour.
As it is with us. We are called to love and to serve but not necessarily to produce. If we were, then we’d be ultra selective on who we’d welcome into our fold, pretty much the ones that are most likely to scratch our backs after we scratch theirs. Personally, I don’t know if I have it in me to size people up that way.
So we go out and do without expectation of reciprocation, and find the joy in our faithful service and rest in God’s timing. This is liberating for us, knowing that we needn’t work our way into God’s love, but that God’s love sustains, strengthens, and moves us to do justice, love mercy, and walk humbly with God and each other.
Thanks be to God! Have a great week, everyone!
Photo by Nelson Ndongala on Unsplash