Thank you to all of you who participated in the first week of our book discussion. If you haven’t had a chance to read and chime in…feel free to do so anytime along the way. If you haven’t had the chance to read thru the posts you’ll find them here.
In general, I think alot of us struggle with allowing others to serve us. Being reminded that when others serve us they are receiving a blessing because they are giving seems to be helpful in that regard.
Jennifer, I’m so glad you said what I think many of us feel: “I feel like I’m failing if I “need” someone to help me.” That’s so true! But I do have one thought to add to that. Every person needs to feel “needed.” When we accept help, we are giving others the opportunity to contribute and feel needed. That’s an important part of the human experience.
Shelly, I love your perspective about when Jesus was feeding thousands with five loaves and two fish. Here are her words: “The disciples would get some from Jesus, pass it out, then they had to go back to Jesus and get some more to hand out. They were not the ones doing the miracle and it multiplied in their hands. They had to return to the Source for more. As a mom, I can not do it on my own. I have to return to the Source of love, patience, grace, wisdom, energy, creativity… to serve through the day.” That is great perspective for us as moms! Thank you for sharing that!
Jen, you are right Jesus did not have a time limit on his attitude. I too struggle with only being able to have a good attitude for a limited time…especially with a challenging child or situation.
And Maureen, you are right. It’s important for us to realize that Jesus had REAL friends, a REAL mom, REAL struggles, REAL followers, and REAL frustrations.
And that takes us to this week: Easter.
As we lead into the Easter celebration, will you join me in thinking about Jesus’ human experience over the next few days? On Thursday night, let’s focus on the Last Supper, when Jesus was saying “goodbye” to his friends. How must that have felt? Sadness? What about when he confronted Judas? Betrayed? (Matthew 26:17-30)
On Friday let’s think about when he was in the Garden of Gethsemene. He was asking God if he really had to go to the cross. He was overwhelmed with the reality of what He was facing. And not only that, but he asked his friends to watch and pray with him. They fell asleep. Can you imagine the disappointment he would have felt? (Matthew 26:36-45)
On Saturday let’s think about the pain of the beatings He sustained and his death on the cross. The physical exhaustion and pain He experienced is beyond our comprehension. (Matthew 26:67; Matthew 27: 11-55)
When Jesus lived on this earth He was fully man and fully God. If we can focus on Jesus’ “fully man” human experiences leading up to Easter, it makes His “fully God” resurrection even more incredible. (Matthew 28)
