Learning lessons the hard way. Yep, that was me the first half of my life. When I was younger, everything seemed so complicated. Poor choices were brushed off with the next difficulty. Only by the grace of God, I raised three daughters, all of whom I cherish. Since the girls were teens, I have tried to teach them the consequences of my mistakes at their age, and encourage them to be better . . . to be wiser. With age does come wisdom. All the pain, all the mistakes, all the poor choices, all the judgments made, and all the secret embarrassment did amount to something . . . humility and wisdom. So take heart lay apostles still in the learning phase, it will all begin to make sense one day. And when it all becomes clear . . . you will be thankful for every single blooper, blunder, aberration or whatever you want to call your misfires. Accept this as part of your journey . . . the lessons and gifts. Once again, He proves just how much He loves us.
In today's Gospel (Matthew 11:16-19), Jesus speaks of wisdom prevailing:
Jesus said to the crowds: "To what shall I compare this generation? It is like children who sit in marketplaces and call to one another, 'We played the flute for you, but you did not dance, we sang a dirge but you did not mourn.' For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they said, 'He is possessed by a demon.' The Son of Man came eating and drinking and they said, 'Look, he is a glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners.' But wisdom is vindicated by her works."
I love the following quote from Anne a lay apostle's book Serving in Clarity. She gets right to the heart of it all:
"Which one of us would deny that our past pain from our sins has given us wisdom and compassion? Do not judge others. Bring others God’s love and God’s truth."
Lay apostles, what lessons have you learned along the way? How can you take those lessons and apply them to your life now? Discard the negative thoughts and replace them knowing the wisdom you have gained will lead you closer to Christ and His mission. Pass on the lessons learned to your children or grandchildren; to close friends or family. Be gentle when they have made the same choices . . .
Thank you, Lord, for the humility and wisdom I have gained so far in my life. Thank you for showing me my "poor choices" have turned me into the person I am now . . . Your devoted follower!
God bless,
Bonnie
In today's Gospel (Matthew 11:16-19), Jesus speaks of wisdom prevailing:
Jesus said to the crowds: "To what shall I compare this generation? It is like children who sit in marketplaces and call to one another, 'We played the flute for you, but you did not dance, we sang a dirge but you did not mourn.' For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they said, 'He is possessed by a demon.' The Son of Man came eating and drinking and they said, 'Look, he is a glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners.' But wisdom is vindicated by her works."
I love the following quote from Anne a lay apostle's book Serving in Clarity. She gets right to the heart of it all:
"Which one of us would deny that our past pain from our sins has given us wisdom and compassion? Do not judge others. Bring others God’s love and God’s truth."
Lay apostles, what lessons have you learned along the way? How can you take those lessons and apply them to your life now? Discard the negative thoughts and replace them knowing the wisdom you have gained will lead you closer to Christ and His mission. Pass on the lessons learned to your children or grandchildren; to close friends or family. Be gentle when they have made the same choices . . .
Thank you, Lord, for the humility and wisdom I have gained so far in my life. Thank you for showing me my "poor choices" have turned me into the person I am now . . . Your devoted follower!
God bless,
Bonnie
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