I will soon take a walk in the neighborhood and enjoy wide streets, Spanish moss and just the difference of these southern homes compared to where I live. I can't exactly focus today but here are some thoughts after listening, reading and prayer.
1. Listening to "abide with me" and I remember my mothers funeral where that was played. Being with Geoff means sharing memories of our parents. As we age we have an understanding of them and for me, a desire to go back and have other conversations. My mother became a widow at my age and I have a deeper realization of how hard it must have been for her.
2. The text today was Luke 6:36-38. It contains
Be merciful
Forgive
Don't judge
Don't condemn
And in the devotional the text is John 10 when Jesus says " I am the the good shepherd" . I hear Jesus saying to me. ": I'll do the judging - you do the loving"
And I know that is the best life for me to live in acceptance, wonder, curiosity, understanding and desire to love others. and as chuck used to say to me : I'm working on it!
3. The Luke text also has these words which have often been used in church around the offering:
"For the measure you give will be the measure you get back"
And as I heard it this morning I thought it was about our mercy, forgiveness and love the more we give, the more we receive. It is - for me, about being in the flow that makes all our relationships work.
Often in church, however, I wonder if it is being presented and seen as a transaction. The more $$$ you give, the more $$$ you will receive. And that can lead to disillusionment.
Anyway. These are my random thoughts one beautiful Monday morning in Southport.
Ill end with this blessing that I walk around with:
You have given all to me
To you, Lord, I return it
Everything is yours; do with it what you will
Give me only you love and Your grace,
that is enough for me.
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