This morning I went to our church and helped set up tents and tables for our parish fair. I had a moment at breakfast where I remembered about the set up and I got reluctant to give up my time and effort. I thought about how I hadn't made a commitment to anyone so I could just not show and no one would care.
It ended up being a great experience of fellowship and constructive recreation. I got to know some people a little better and I felt like a contributor. One of our priests thanked me and I was grateful for the opportunity to serve. I often pray to be ready to serve God and today was one of those times when I was able to do so in a more physical sense.
The best part of the experience was getting to spend some time talking to a guy from Mexico who is having a difficult life but has recently returned to the church and is finding some hope. I tried to encourage him and let him know that I am having the same experience and will include him in my prayers. This afternoon when explaining our blessings to one of my kids I told them about him. This evening when saying prayers with my daughters we prayed for Benjamin.
I spoke to one of the guys I recently started working with and he conveyed to me the blessings that are occurring in his life. I felt bad that I couldn't get together to do his third step today but was grateful that he is getting to go to a convention this weekend with several guys including my sponsor. I realized that it is all going according to God's plan.
This afternoon my son and I took a bike ride with his friends. All went well until my son didn't like one of my directions and decided to ride off by himself. It was odd to just let him go. Then when I got home with the other boys my son (still on his bike) refused to go inside. It again felt odd not to fly into anger or pleading but just repeat my directions and inform him of consequences. When he finally did come in he repeatedly did not follow directions and ignored his punishment.
At this point I did get a little angry but again felt odd. I felt like I wasn't sure if I should be giving him punishment because I wasn't sure he did anything so wrong. I guess I am so dependent upon gauging the severity of misbehavior by how mad I got.
It was really hard to hear the desperation in his cries as his consequences mounted up on him. But, I had to persevere and know that it was in his best interest and I do it out of love. I had a good talk with him afterward and got the opportunity to share this with him. Later the TV was on and the parenting expert whose methods I am employing was on a rare appearance. I received affirmation.
Thanks be to God for this day.
No comments:
Post a Comment