My maternal grandfather, Vern, had a hat that he kept on his nightstand. Next to it was a pen and a notepad. Throughout his adult life, he always wrote down all the issues that bothered him or were unresolved each night. Once he finished writing them all, he put the piece(s) of paper with the litany of concerns and issues into the hat. Then, he relaxed the rest of the evening.
He always believed that once night arrived, it was no use to be bothered by the activities of the day. My mother always told me that he was always present with the family in all forms; mind, body and spirit. This was the case even when troubles seemed to be swirling about them but because he practiced putting his problems in the hat each evening it rarely got in the way of his family time.
He also committed himself on his wedding day that he would never raise his voice or speak a negative word to his family as long as he was alive. My mother told me that she cannot remember a time when he ever said anything that was not helpful or negative.
My memory of my grandfather is a man who had amazing patience and very humbled. He was the most personable and most calming person I had ever known and I regret that he died before I was old enough to really understand him fully and learn from him more thoroughly.
My grandfather was and still is an example of what St. Paul is asking the Ephesians to do with one another. St. Paul asked the Ephesians to look upon each other with love and approach each other with the kindness and gentleness much like Christ approached the woman at the well, his disciples and the neglected. Christ did this all the while pursuing understanding of one another so that issues can be resolved in love and grace.
It sounds so easy but often hard to practice. It requires so much for us to do. It means that we have to be humble, take a back seat at times, and even prepare to not get what we want. Yet, it is from this position that some of the greatest ministry of this world has been done. Think of Mother Teresa, Martin Luther King, Jr. and Dietrich Bonheoffer.
We probably won’t change the world like them but we can change the lives of the people we encounter if we practice what St. Paul asks of us and what Christ did with the people he ministered to.
All through this season, I’ve invited us to reconsider where we are in Christ and how we can live according to the Will of God. I am convinced with my interpretation of the Bible that God has asked me daily to always take the position of humbleness and allow His Glory to prevail. What is God asking you in this season of reflection and re-connection?
Prayer: Dear Lord of our lives, open our eyes to the will of your mission and give us the tools so we can be successful in our commitment to you. Amen.
