Hi everyone,
Happy Mother’s Day! Not sure how many of you caught the service earlier today, but if you did, you know how I feel about this day and what it is really celebrating. This isn’t to belittle those who have had bad experiences in general about motherhood, but rather it’s to lift up the maternal love that we are called to in its purest sense. And so for me at least, it is important to recognise this and commend it.
And that’s what we did today. The kids and I tried our best to do what we could so their mother would have a relaxing day. We made her breakfast, cleaned (parts of) the house, and I picked up dinner (while they played games). This is why this post is so late in the day, the kids (and their mom) just got into bed.
It was a long busy day, but it was very worth it. It was worth it because we love her, and there is joy in loving another.
Here are the readings for next week:
Acts 1:15-17, 21-26
Psalm 1
1 John 5:9-13
John 17:6-19
This passage is part of the last bit of Jesus’ Farewell Discourse, where he is praying for his disciples (in front of his disciples… seems awkward but who are we to judge?), and it’s a great prayer. The part out of this passage that catches my eye is where he says, “…they may have my joy made complete in themselves” (v. 13)
What would it be like to have the joy of Jesus complete in us? How empowering would that be? How enriching, how fulfilling, how… joyful? Could you imagine?
But then I think, was Jesus joyful? What did he have to be joyful about? He walked around with no home, he didn’t follow the rules so the powers that be didn’t like him, it seemed like his message he taught daily fell on deaf ears, and his friends all betrayed him.
However, his words are clear. He has joy. From where? From God. From the Spirit. From love.
There is joy in loving another. Jesus showed us this. Jesus prays for us to see this. Jesus empowers us to love like this. I believe that is what this prayer is about. And I believe that it can happen by the grace of God. Jesus’ joy made complete in us. Imagine that.
Have a great week, everyone!