Greetings Parents!
"Mom, you do more for us than Dad does." "In what way?"
I ask. "Well you drive us places and do things with us during the day." So I ask, "How would we have a house, a car, your video games, and the food we eat if Dad didn't work his job?" And in typical teen fashion, "I can walk and if he did stuff with us then I can live without video games." Which is where I see my point was won and they save grace by offering a silly answer. Sometimes, though I go for one more point, "If you completed chores without being nagged and helped out with a few more things, instead of playing video games, Dad and I would have less to do and more time to spend with you."
So considering parents as children and God as parent - is there a message there? Certainly I take for granted the many actions of God on my behalf - and done for pure love of me and my welfare. Most basic (and deep!)- if HE ceases to think of me, I cease to exist. When a slew of things go wrong, how quick I am to ask why is this happening, rather than "What do you want me to learn or do in this moment?" It isn't always about me - maybe God is asking me to do something for Him...
In the meantime, there are people, ministries, organizations, entertainment, and government programs that bring good things to my everyday life. Their actions make more easy my current life, adding some momentary pleasure or easing of suffering that is greatly appreciated. We can become so appreciative of what we see before us that we forget where it came from originally - God. Pondering this reminds me that He probably likes a little love and appreciation back!
Hug your children tight, say prayers together, especially at night, and ponder what God did for your family this day and what the family did for God as well - which can be as simple as everyone making a point to get along and caring for one another.
-- Linda Bader, Coordinator of Religious Education
P.S. Did you know... St. Mother Teresa of Calcutta was born of a well-to-do family, but after a vision of Jesus while riding a train, she gave everything up and began her journey to serve the "unwanted" and "forgotten." Caring for those lying in the streets with maggots in their wounds and smothered in their own filth, she saw Jesus in every life before her and knew their innate dignity required her to cherish each life, regardless of the inconvenience or its brevity. Learn more at: http://www.vatican.va/news_services/liturgy/saints/ns_lit_doc_20031019_madre-teresa_en.html