- Why do aborigines still have half the life expectancy of white people in Australia?
- Why is it possible that we have international aid organisations working in this wealthy nation?
- Why are we tolerating the incidence of abuse and violence in isolated communities?
- Why are there so many families in every part of this nation where violence is a "normal" way of relating?
- Why don't we care?
- Why don't most christians care about these things?
Maybe it's a mid-life thing- I turn 50 next year (oops that's almost this year!). I would like to think that when I leave the planet i will leave something a little bit better than when I came.
WWJD?
I can't believe that Jesus would just sit by in a nice middle class lifestyle, leading some really nice people in a comfortable church while these things are going on.
I'm wrestling with a whole bunch of "social justice" issues in my head at the moment.
Maybe there's not a lot I can do about any of these problems.
Maybe there is something that God is wanting me to do about just one of them.
Oh dear- more sleepless nights ahead!
Have a happy New Year!
Some time ago, my husband had a young man come to the house to help with some work and he brought his wife and kids. My son happened to be there at the same time and, as usual, we were chatting and joking. When he left the lady asked me who that was, and when I told her, she was shocked and expressed much surprise that I would even talk to my kids. It never occurred to me that in some families, it's normal to not have any kind of relationship with your adult kids.I felt as if I should have given her some advice or something, but I was so surprised I couldn't think of anything to say. Afterwards, though, I think maybe God just wanted her to see that her relationship with her kids could be different than the one she had with her family.You're right, we should care more. I'm going to call that lady and see how they're doing.
ReplyDeleteI really hate the way kids become weapons or prizes to be fought over in family disputes. I see it tme and again.
ReplyDeleteYes, I think that is a symptom of our selfish society. I'm divorced, my kids were all over 20 when it happened. The two older kids are friends with both parents, but my younger son refuses to speak to his father at all. I hate to say that I felt a small spark of satisfaction. Aaron has a very strong sense of loyalty and is apalled that his father cheated. Everyone has tried to tell him to make up with his dad, that once his dad is gone, he'll regret it and I believe this is true. Any suggestions to help him reconcile?
ReplyDeleteLois, I think it's a long process for some people. Forgiveness has to be a lifestyle. If Aaron doesn't forgive his father, he is the one who will reap the harvest of bitterness. But you can't force him to do that because it has to come from the heart.There's no easy solution other than prayer and patience.Keith
ReplyDeleteThanks Keith, I'll keep praying. I guess I should have expected this. We had a duck one time with eggs under the dining room window. Aaron came in more angry than I had ever seen him. When I asked him what was wrong, he said that the father duck was out on the pond with another duck while his wife was sitting on her eggs. He kept saying, "While she is sitting on her eggs!" He couldn't understand how he could do that.I tried to tell him that this was the difference between people and animals, that people listened to God, but the animals didn't always. Maybe I didn't explain things to him in a very good way. It's been more than 5 years now. He did call his father to tell him he was getting married last November - pressure from people he works with, but refused to let him come to the wedding.I'm glad he talked to him, but really wish, for his own sake that he would forgive him.
ReplyDeleteKeep praying Lois- that's the sort of prayer that God honours. He is a forgiving God and has designed us to be the same way. I'm sure that God will bring Aaron to that point of being able to let go.
ReplyDeleteThanks for your good advice. Will do!
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