Parenting

Today is the Feast of the Holy Family. A day set aside to reflect on the relationships between of Mary, Joseph and their son Jesus.

I occasionally spend time pondering what it must have been like to raise the Son of God. I wonder how He cried as a baby. Did He ever have any 'terrible two' moments? How did He react when He skinned His knees? Did He get in trouble with His friends?

As parents did Mary and Joseph ever need to discipline this child? Did they need to defend His actions? How did they do this? What sacrifices did they make to raise the Son of God? How can we, as parents, live by their example of selfless giving?

Parenting is one of the most undervalued and yet most important tasks that two people can undertake. Parenting is a form of ministry, or perhaps better described, as a form of service to God. By agreeing to give birth to and raise a child as a gift from the Creator, parents assume this role of service.

I was graced today to observe the actions of parents who, in my opinion, are shining examples of this role of parent ministry.

In both cases weather impacted the travel plans of their children. In both cases, these parents selflessly set aside their own plans to serve the needs of their children. Time is a gift these parents freely gave to their children.

During these travel days driving conditions were less than ideal. If they were traveling for their own pleasure, I do not doubt that these people would not have chosen to travel. These parents did not tell their children to find their own way; they did not suggest that the children take a bus home. Instead, these parents put their own safety concerns aside to serve their children who needed to reach their destinations for work purposes.

Despite the obvious inconvenience, as I watched these parents interact with their children, I saw pride and joy that they could be of service one more time.

On a day dedicated to the Holy Family, these parents upheld that image for me. They embodied in word and in deed the true meaning of parenting as a service to God. Thank you for being such wonderful role models, I pray that we all can follow your example.

Christmas Lights

Merry Christmas to all!

Hard to believe that this day has come upon us again, so quickly. All of our preparation, anticipation and expectations have lead to this day.

During this past month, as I watched the houses on our streets come alive with various arrangements of lights and colours I couldn't help but wonder about the kind of "light" growing in each of us as we prepare for this day?

For many preparation for Christmas means trip planning, gift shopping, special baking, and cooking holiday meals. We decorate our environments with assorted Santas, Nativities and Snow-people. Christmas music fills our malls, our rooms and our cars. We purchase new clothes and clean our home. But what do we do to prepare our hearts for the coming of a tiny baby who would be our saviour?

We anticipate special Christmas mail, festive gatherings, and gifts. Some eagerly await special moments or reactions from others. A woman who has given birth knows the anticipation around bringing a new life into the world. But during Advent, do we take time to truely anticipate the birth of a tiny baby who would be our saviour?

Many approach this season with expectations for the holiday. We expect the lights, the meals, the family and friends. We watch children who expect Santa to bring gifts and as a community we gather around to support those in need, so that this 'expectation' of Christmas is fulfilled. We pray that these gifts will bring re-newed hope. Yet what expectations do we place on the birth of a tiny baby who would our saviour?

These are our opportunities to be 'light' to others in this season of lights. When we prepare our hearts and our homes for the coming of this baby; when we anticipate this birth as an opportunity for new beginnings; and when we expect the miracle of Christmas, we will find it. When we find that miracle, we too, can be lights in this world for all to see.

Mery Christmas!

A Gift

"Even a happy life cannot be without a measure of darkness, and the word happy would lose its meaning if it were not balanced by sadness. It is far better to take things as they come along with patience and equanimity."

These words from Carl Jung haunted me today. This was a day of mixed blessings; some "wins" and some "loses", but overall a good day. How good those gains felt against the backdrop of unforeseen difficulties! Would I have felt so good about those "wins" if I had not also experienced those snags?

I imagine that the God who knew me before I was born, also knows those words from Jung. I need adversity to gain a sense of achievement and triumph. I need hard times to prove that I am strong. I need those times when I get scared, so that I know to be brave and that my God will lead me through.

A day like this, teaches me to wait for the next moment. God surely has another surprise, puzzle or moment of grace waiting for me. I just need to be patient and trust in Him. I need to trust that the process that unfolds with each day, is just as God intended it to be. What is personal miracle each moment really is! Each "good", each "bad" and each "ugly" in every day, is a special gift to me from God. May my eyes remain open to see these gifts. May your days be also filled with such wonders.

Elizabeth

Over two thousand years ago, a young woman left her home to travel to that of her friend and cousin, Elizabeth. Although Elizabeth was about six months pregnant and by all accounts an older mother-to-be, she still welcomed this young unmarried but pregnant cousin. At that time, pregnancy outside of matrimony could have resulted in death. Perhaps the young woman sought refuge with her cousin; she probably sought friendship and companionship; she would have also appreciated the acceptance that came from this older woman.

Do you have an Elizabeth in your life? A sister, a cousin or a friend, to whom you could go for understanding and unquestioning acceptance of who you are or what you have done?

Today, my "Elizabeth" offered instant compassion before words could convey my concerns. She acknowledge my plight and kindly offered wisdom and guidance. She helped me to comprehend the "other side" of the issue. Through our conversation she clarified for me what God's plan may have been and helped me to set aside my own plans. All this in a matter of minutes. A true friend, like God, understands me at times when I do not understand myself.

If you have an "Elizabeth" in your life, take the time to say thank you for this gift of friendship. If you do not have an "Elizabeth", keep looking, she is probably out there looking for you. Better yet, can you be an "Elizabeth" to your friends, offering unconditional love and acceptance?

The young Virgin Mary's cousin Elizabeth offers an example of friendship that we should each try to emulate. In this season of preparation, perhaps we can prepare for the coming of Jesus, by offering the gift of unconditional friendship.

Rejoicing

They say that the eyes are the mirror to the soul, but I wonder sometimes whether there aren't a few other avenues by which we can glimpse what's going on in the inner sanctum of the heart.

Take for instance the gathering of young children last night at an area church. The reason for the gathering was the celebration of First Reconciliation. As I watched the faces of the children who arrived, accompanied by their parents and other members of their families, I saw nervousness in the eyes of some and wonder in the faces of others.

Did they truly understand the great gift which would be given on this night, or would it pass them by? The scriptures tell of the rejoicing which takes place in heaven over the return of one repentant sinner. If this is true then there must have been a wonderful choir there last night.

As for us on earth, perhaps we got a little glimpse of this rejoicing in the voice of one of the children who was standing not far from me. When we sang the last song, his voice could be heard exhuberantly booming well above all the rest. Is this what it will be like when we all see the face of God?

Gift and giver

There was a pasta and chicken fundraiser held this week to raise funds for some needed renovations. We've had a number of breakfasts but this was the first supper that's been held here for quite some time. The turnout was more than satisfactory. There was a good mixture of people ... from the elderly to the young children and the mixture of voices was like a chorus of haphazardly placed notes which together combine to form a symphony.

All those who were here enjoyed the meal and it wasn't long before the desserts were all gone, and the plates had been licked clean, but before the party broke up there were thank-you's to be issued and winners to be announced. The prizes, two gifts which had been donated, were distributed as door prizes ... and then there were the proceeds of the 50-50 draw. Adults in the crowd were no stranger to the concept of 50-50 - half the proceeds from the sale of tickets would be returned as the prize, but it was the look on the faces of the children that was the most precious.

As it turned out, the winner was a young boy who promptly decided how he wanted to use at least some of the proceeds - to treat his family and close friends to some ice cream. 'The desserts were all gone,' he said, 'before I got there, and I'm sure that none of you got any either, so I'll treat'.

This was definitely a case of actions speaking louder than words because the first thing he wanted to do was share his new-found fortune. Some more experienced children would do well to learn a lesson or two from this experience ... about how to win graciously and to share the spoils with those we love.

As for the rest of the proceeds ... they will be invested wisely by his mother.

A Transformed World

It snowed today. It really snowed.

School buses did not run, traffic was snarled and pedestrians slipped and slid to their destinations. A morning like this means shoveling and scrapping are in order. To get anywhere, we all needed extra time. For many this scene brought frustration and disorder.

Yet, this morning, alone outside, one could hear the voice of God. Gently blowing flakes muffled extraneous sounds. The usual street scene was disguised in whiteness. The world was transformed.

I was reminded of the words from Max Ehrmann's poem, "Desiderata",
"Go placidly amid the noise and the haste
and remember what peace there may be in silence."

God spoke. The peace that He brought to this morning came in the knowledge that when each day I pray "Thy will be done," today His will was being done. It was God's way of saying slow down, today is not your day to be in a hurry. Today is not a day for the regular hustle of morning. Today, God surrounded me with his gift of peace.

This snowy scene, a gift of peace from my God to me. May His peace also be with you.