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Having courage

 

We have just spent a lovely weekend with our family. Our daughter, our son and his wife and children. What a privilege to have this time together. I feel immensely sad for those families who hate each other, or simply do not get on together so try not to see each other often. I wonder what leads to those situations. Is it poor parenting that leads children to disconnect from their home life as soon as possible? There were times I simply was not a good parent as I suffered depression from some years—however I did my best and was honest with my children when I let them down. I can remember telling them how sorry I was for something, even when they were quite young and how amazingly accepting they were, giving me a hug and telling me it was alright. Being prepared to say sorry is really important as is the capacity to forgive. Is there a misunderstanding and we let pride get in our way and refuse to back down? How sad that we would let pride get in the way of a relationship with members of our family. I love that my family is so forgiving and accepting of each other and how we genuinely enjoy being together. Our love for each other runs deep. However, we have no idea of what goes on in the lives of others; I can only thank God that we have the relationship we do.

Our grandchildren are very active and high spirited (but wonderful of course), so there were times it was extremely noisy and busy (I should have turned my hearing aids off!). Reflecting on their sheer enjoyment of the moment, I wondered if I should be more like that. As adults we can so often restrain our joy when worshipping, because it is simply not ‘done’ to be unrestrained with our worship. I almost feel a little envious when I see other cultures worship unreservedly in church. How I would love to feel free to dance and shout before The Lord as David did. But what would my conservative white middle-class friends and congregation think?  Maybe they are wishing to do the very same thing? Maybe I should be courageous and let go and do whatever the Holy Spirit leads me to do? Oh boy! That is something I need to work on.

May you have the courage to dance with joy before the Lord and express your worship of our great and glorious Father.

 

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