Hi everyone,
I can’t believe it’s almost April already. Time is flying by. I also can’t believe that our oldest child is turning 16 this week. Time is REALLY flying by. We have already booked his written test for his driver’s license.
I remember looking forward to turning 16 and really wanting to get my driver’s license. Because my birthday is in February, I was among the oldest of my friends, and thus eligible to get my license first. But it didn’t exactly happen that way. Not because I was a bad driver (I’m not) or because I kept failing my test (I didn’t), but because my parents thought I was too immature to be responsible enough to drive a motor vehicle (they were probably right).
I’d be lying if I weren’t angry with them. We had many a fight about how me getting a license doesn’t mean I’ll drive every day or get my own car or anything, but it’ll be good to have another driver in the family, because you never know what might happen. I saw no downsides in it.
But my parents did. They said I’ll speed and get tickets (true), I’ll stay out late with my friends (also true), and I’ll get into accidents and drive up the insurance rates (unfortunately very true). Have a license was very expensive for me.
However… to me… it was worth it.
The thing is, I love driving. I love hanging out with my friends. I love being able to go out onto an open road and seeing what is possible in the vehicle that I’m operating. Yes, it was expensive and will continue to be so, but again, for someone who loves, money doesn’t have to be an object.
Here are the readings for next week:
Isaiah 43:16-21
Psalm 126
Philippians 3:4b-14
John 12:1-8
And a video of these readings being read:
You all might not get my love for driving or cars in general, and that is ok. Some of you might even think that such a hobby is a waste of money (like my family), and that is ok as well. But what we should be aware of, and I think Jesus is warning us against in this gospel lesson, is that it isn’t hard for us to confuse love with monetary value.
“You’ll always have the poor” says Jesus as certain disciples complained about the extravagant perfume that was poured on his feet. Jesus wasn’t being flippant here (or maybe just a little), but he was saying that the attitudes of certain disciples (that we might share) is focusing too much on monetary value, the dollar signs, the sheer need to pinch every penny because a rainy day is coming. Jesus points out Mary’s love for him.
This doesn’t mean that we should be wasteful and irresponsible with money, but I think it means that we shouldn’t take our love out of the equation. Our love for ourselves of course, but also our love for others.
Spending a few dollars on a friend, whether they need it or not, is a way of showing that love. Being generous with what we have is a learned discipline. Attributing value and worth is almost a spiritual practice in that the world tells us one thing but God might be telling our hearts another.
Now again, I’m not saying that we should blow all our money on frivolous things. But I am saying that sometimes… it’s worth it. And it’s between us and God to discern which is which.
Thanks be to God! Have a great week, everyone!