I tell you the truth, you will weep and mourn while the world rejoices. You will grieve, but your grief will turn to joy…. So with you: Now is your time of grief, but I will see you again and you will rejoice, and no one will take away your joy. John 16:20 & 22.
Whereas the Gospel of Matthew dwells on the disciples inability to stay awake and watch while Jesus prayed, John gives us Jesus’ words. I feel like I’m reading them for the first time. He knew what was coming, but he put his trust in his Father and prayed even more fervently.
He prays for himself, no longer teaching to crowds, but asking for the courage to continue on his path.
I have brought you glory on earth by completing the work you gave me to do. And now, Father, glorify me in your presence with the glory I had with you before the world began. John 17:4-5
He prays for his disciples, those he knows personally.
I will remain in the world no longer, but they are still in the world, and I am coming to you. Holy Father, protect them by the power of your name – the name you gave me – so that they may be one as we are one. While I was with them I protected them and kept them safe by that name you gave me…. I am coming to you now, but I say these things while I am still in the world, so that they may have the full measure of my joy within them. I have given them you word and the world has hated them, for they are not of the world any more than I am of the world. My prayer is not that you take them out of the world but that you protect them from the evil one. John 17:11-15
He prays for all believers, those who will hear but not see.
My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me…. Righteous Father, though the world does not know you, I know you, and they know that you have sent me. I have made you known to them, and will continue to make you known in order that the love you have for me may be in them and that I myself may be in them. John 17:20-21, 25-26
It’s an incomprehensible love. A love that is made more acute in the face of a cross, a circlet of thorns piercing the skin, and the mocking by those he came to save. It’s impossible to return, but I want to ever more so. He understands the jeers we face, ostracism, physical pain. He also takes joy in small steps of faith and understanding, encouraging us to boldness. It’s a hard path to follow, but Easter can bring you back, especially after facing Good Friday.
Yet another hot topic. A topic that is very, very relative depending on what you think is average. From my perspective, it’s all just breastfeeding. Still not a rant, just a bit of a revelation.
Several months ago I was really wanting to wean Eliza from night-nursing. I wanted …
I read this wonderful post I wish I’d written myself. Anyone who thinks you’re being negative when you say honestly that parenting is hard, probably hasn’t done much of it themselves. Anyway, the writer talked about chronos time, the time in which you get everything done, as …
In 2008 we experienced pediatric dentistry procedures. Sara Ellen was sedated on two occasions to have cavities filled so her baby teeth would be healthy until they fell out, which has now happened. Last month we experienced pediatric opthamology procedures.
Most newborns have closed tear ducts and they generally open …
This is no rant. I chose to use what can be a hot button topic for a title to pull some interest for those who go searching. It’s been months since I’ve written anything new. I guess I’ve been too busy running after my two little elves …
The Twilight Saga excitement has been eclipsed a bit for me, by motherhood. I discovered the Saga the first time Sara Ellen spent the night away from me, three years ago. That week I was pretty obsessed, but Sara Ellen did just fine. She either played by …
Aside from car seats, which are certainly mandatory for vehicle excursions, in my opinion the best baby gear investments are for carrying your babying and your’s and baby’s away-from-home necessities.
While I loved using the Sling-E-Zee Hava sling for the first many months, our Ergo Baby Carrier has, and will …
Do you ever have so much going through your head that you can’t get anything out clearly? That’s been me all week.
I suppose it is because Sara Ellen is out of school but I have been trying to have something going on each day. I have two active girls. …
Do you have personal issues, pet peeves or something that bugs you but doesn’t bother your child? If it isn’t bothering them and it isn’t unsafe should you let it go?
While Sara Ellen takes her swim lesson, Eliza and I wait around watching her swim or walking around among …
I don’t know what it is about horse movies. It’s always an underdog and you know the horse will win. If they set it up well you can forget it’s inevitable, pulling through at the end. It’s exciting anyway.
I don’t go hunting down horse films but this is beautiful. …