Recently I came across a cartoon meme, depicting a doctor holding in one hand a newborn by one of his feet, and in the other holding a branding iron (think cattle branding). On a medical tray next to the doctor were several other branding irons.
Each iron had a different head, symbols that represented different religions.
In good anti-Christian fashion, the head of the iron in the doctor's hand was an ichthys (the fish symbol). The caption of the meme was something like 'Let your children decide for themselves' (I tried to find the meme to let you see it for yourself, but after being bombarded with one extreme pro-choice meme after another, I could stomach the search no longer).
Upon seeing this mockery, I was disgusted.
I assume that most people who read our blog are Christians and that I'm preaching to the choir, but for those of you who are not, I'd like to give you some food for thought.
Let's define LOVE. We are supposed to love our children, right? Right.
Love is desiring the greatest good for another. Desire the greatest good, you say? Hmmm...
That means that parents should desire their children to eat healthy food. Parents should desire their children to communicate & share with others. Parents should desire their children to take baths. Parents should desire their children to not get run over by cars. You get the idea.
How do children do all of these things? They decide for themselves.
Oh, wait, that's wrong. They are taught by their parents.
A parent should also desire their children to know (at least basic) truths.
The Earth is round. Daylight comes from the sun. No matter how far you run while wearing a cape, gravity will keep you on the ground.
Christians hold many truths which we know will lead us to eternal life with God in His Kingdom. For us, this is the greatest good. And so, we teach our children as much as we can about Jesus and how to live the Christian life. Not because we desire our children to not think for themselves, but because we desire them to choose to follow Christ. Because we desire them to go to Heaven.
Parents know that there will come a day when their children will choose for themselves what to believe. No one can force someone to be a Christian. But if parents teach their children about the faith, and they still eventually reject it, at least they will know to what, or to whom, they are saying no.
Do you?
God Bless you,
Becca
Thursday, July 25, 2013
Thursday, July 18, 2013
Saturday, July 6, 2013
Up the Trail, Without a Map...
Sometimes, God asks us to walk a path, that to our eyes, may not have a destination. He asks for a total abandonment of self, and surrender to Him. His eyes will be our eyes, His heart our map, His love and brilliance to light up our path.
Of course, this makes us nervous. And maybe in my case inclusive of a little Divine Humor, since I earned a degree in geography, it's only fitting to take away the 'map' I believe I had to get me there (and even with that one, 'there' wasn't exactly clear).
I think he wants me to relinquish my map, my eyes, and my sense of direction, and think of only one direction: to Him. I must let go of what I think I know, and let the One who knows me better than anyone take over. Which, when you put it that way, His way will obviously be better. I must continue to surrender myself to His Will, take the steps into the unknown, not even looking to where my feet are landing, and keep my gaze fixed on Christ. But making that part of a daily routine is a trial in itself.
So in that last month or so of job hunting, I've done my best not to worry, and mostly succeeded. In doing that I've shown myself that when you do surrender your will and pray about it, then there is no room for worry. In fact, just the opposite. I've been filled with joy and wonder in this whole discernment situation, wondering to where God will lead me. What could it be that is better for me than what I could imagine? I have no clue. But I trust that "God works for the good of those who love him". So in this way, it's all taken care of; it's all sorted out. When I keep this at the forefront of my mind, worry and fear cannot come in.
Don't get me wrong, I have been avidly pursuing another job. But I've left myself open to the workings of the Spirit, and not just applying for ones that I think I may be able to do or in a chosen field. This is a great adventure of life, when you are following the narrow path, and the only map is the light of the Gospel.
Maybe I'll be a carpenter from now on. I did build this in a little 'down time'.
Of course, this makes us nervous. And maybe in my case inclusive of a little Divine Humor, since I earned a degree in geography, it's only fitting to take away the 'map' I believe I had to get me there (and even with that one, 'there' wasn't exactly clear).
I think he wants me to relinquish my map, my eyes, and my sense of direction, and think of only one direction: to Him. I must let go of what I think I know, and let the One who knows me better than anyone take over. Which, when you put it that way, His way will obviously be better. I must continue to surrender myself to His Will, take the steps into the unknown, not even looking to where my feet are landing, and keep my gaze fixed on Christ. But making that part of a daily routine is a trial in itself.
So in that last month or so of job hunting, I've done my best not to worry, and mostly succeeded. In doing that I've shown myself that when you do surrender your will and pray about it, then there is no room for worry. In fact, just the opposite. I've been filled with joy and wonder in this whole discernment situation, wondering to where God will lead me. What could it be that is better for me than what I could imagine? I have no clue. But I trust that "God works for the good of those who love him". So in this way, it's all taken care of; it's all sorted out. When I keep this at the forefront of my mind, worry and fear cannot come in.
Don't get me wrong, I have been avidly pursuing another job. But I've left myself open to the workings of the Spirit, and not just applying for ones that I think I may be able to do or in a chosen field. This is a great adventure of life, when you are following the narrow path, and the only map is the light of the Gospel.
Maybe I'll be a carpenter from now on. I did build this in a little 'down time'.
I have discovered a love for woodwork. I just wish I had more knowledge of technique to build different kinds of things like bookshelves and other furniture. Mostly I just make it up as I go. And since I've used recycled woods, it's a lot like a puzzle when you can only use certain pieces.
This period of unemployment has also brought me the extra time I needed for 're-alignment' of my priorities. Namely, putting God first. I have had much more time for prayer, daily rosaries, some morning masses, and a lot of time in the adoration chapel. And all of these in turn is filling me with more joy, more peace. I'm thankful for this, because I need this much more than I need a job.
And God knows I need a job, He's God. He knows all the things I need to take care of my family and my home, He's quite aware, omniscient if you will. So if I know He knows, why should I worry. What good does that do? None.
A job allows you to take care of your life here, but essentially you were given that by the Lord, and if the time has come for Him to give you a better one, or a different one, you need to be open to that and hop to it. God is continually seeking us out. But if we occupy all of our time seeking everything we 'think' we need in this world, we will miss the train that's rolling on to the next one (Heaven, in case I confused anyone).
So really, now that I think about it, I've always been on this 'trail'. We are all on it. But now I understand, that I don't need a map. Because I know where it all leads.
Pray for me, I'll be praying for you.
~Nick
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