Motivated by Love

This was the scene that greeted us on Sunday morning.  The snow did not last long however and we look forward to much milder temperatures this week.  I bravely walked to church, still fearful of slipping since I fell on ice a month ago and hurt my wrist.  It is maybe 98% better.  I then did a bit of snow shoveling to help conquer my new fear.

The priest's sermon was based on the story of The Prodigal Son.  It seems I covered this topic 6 years ago in this post.  It is the story of a rich man with 2 sons.  The older son is a model child who works hard for his father.  The younger son asked for his inhertance early and squandered it away only to return home destitute.  The father welcomed him with open arms to the dismay and anger of his older son.  As a younger person growing up I could make no sense of this teaching.  The answer I now learned and understand as a much older person, is that the father was motivated by LOVE.

New Art Supplies

Art Supplies

I decided to get some new art supplies and it felt like a nice treat. I'm all set to make lots of new art cards!  I will have to start thinking of a good use for all these cards I'll be making.

I enjoyed my walk to church this past Sunday morning, the weather was perfect, the skies were clear, the birds were  happily flitting from branch to branch.   The young priest made a good sermon which caused the congregation to applaud him after.  He spoke about his 22 year fear of public speaking, I do forget why he said he was so scared, but he conquered it over time.

Then the priest spoke of the 'Prodigal Son' bible story. He introduced the story by saying 'how can you ask for your inheritance and your parent hasn't yet passed away?' This man had 2 sons.  One of them asked for his inheritance early and went away.  He squandered it and eventually came home.  The father was overjoyed at his return and threw a big banquet.  The older son was angry and confused.  The father simply asked him to rejoice with him that his long lost son had returned.

This is one story I never understood and has no clear ending.  That day I tried to see it from the father's point of view.  I think it meant that the father loved his son beyond being 'so-called' fair.  It may be what forgiveness truly means.   Some sources say the older son did not think compassionately and represented self-righteousness.  It's a lot to think about.  Doesn't it remind you of family disagreements that happen all the time in real life?