My son had his first sports day today, it was really good fun, and lovely to be able to go along and see him interacting with his friends in his class. A year or so ago he wouldn’t have been able to join in, wait in line and take his part, and we felt really proud of him for doing so well. We had a discussion before hand about what would it be like if he didn’t win, and that was considered probably quite unlikely, and afterwards he announced he had won all the races, even though that probably wasn’t quite true! He is not short of confidence which is great!
The thing I love about being a parent is that just when you think you’ve got things sussed it all changes again. I have been really hard on my son in the past and then realised he was just being a normal 2, 3 or 4 year old afterwards. Having our daughter has been easier because you have a rule of thumb to compare things to, so if she has a tantrum I think it’s because she is 2 not because of some deep-seated psychological issue!
All the mums and dads there today were equally proud and shy of each other’s kids in different ways. One little girl ran really fast and her mum complained its’ impossible to keep up with her!
We recently went on holiday in a caravan and when we got back I was full of appreciation for our wonderful home, and particularly a nice comfy bed. Within a week or so I had begun to notice all the jobs that need doing and picked faults in everything again.
I think I should just act more like my proud 4 year olds hopping around with excitement just because its all fun, rather than agonising over everything, but I guess it’s a human instinct to find fault and analyse everything. In my journey with God its the same, I get complacent and critical about my life and forget about all the positives and gifts I’ve been given.
As christians a key thing we do is to give thanks. Its a good habit to get into whether you believe in God or not, as it puts you in a better frame of mind. The following story is one of my favourites, as its’ about a prostitute in the bible. I told this story to a real life prostitute once and she was amazed that God would care about people like her… see what you think…
Luke 7:36-50
Common English Bible (CEB)
Forgiveness and gratitude
36 One of the Pharisees invited Jesus to eat with him. After he entered the Pharisee’s home, he took his place at the table. 37 Meanwhile, a woman from the city, a sinner, discovered that Jesus was dining in the Pharisee’s house. She brought perfumed oil in a vase made of alabaster. 38 Standing behind him at his feet and crying, she began to wet his feet with her tears. She wiped them with her hair, kissed them, and poured the oil on them. 39 When the Pharisee who had invited Jesus saw what was happening, he said to himself, If this man were a prophet, he would know what kind of woman is touching him. He would know that she is a sinner.
40 Jesus replied, “Simon, I have something to say to you.”
“Teacher, speak,” he said.
41 “A certain lender had two debtors. One owed enough money to pay five hundred people for a day’s work.[a] The other owed enough money for fifty.[b] 42 When they couldn’t pay, the lender forgave the debts of them both. Which of them will love him more?”
43 Simon replied, “I suppose the one who had the largest debt canceled.”
Jesus said, “You have judged correctly.”
44 Jesus turned to the woman and said to Simon, “Do you see this woman? When I entered your home, you didn’t give me water for my feet, but she wet my feet with tears and wiped them with her hair. 45 You didn’t greet me with a kiss, but she hasn’t stopped kissing my feet since I came in. 46 You didn’t anoint my head with oil, but she has poured perfumed oil on my feet. 47 This is why I tell you that her many sins have been forgiven; so she has shown great love. The one who is forgiven little loves little.”
48 Then Jesus said to her, “Your sins are forgiven.”
49 The other table guests began to say among themselves, “Who is this person that even forgives sins?”
50 Jesus said to the woman, “Your faith has saved you. Go in peace.”
inspiredinyork 