Johnny, age four, loves adventures! Each day, his mom takes him out to explore a new trail or discover raspberries under a scratchy bush. Recently, we took Johnny to a creek teeming with tadpoles and bugs. Johnny asked what seemed like a thousand questions: “Mimi, why is this frog so green?” “Mimi, why does this bug jump?” “Mimi, why, why, why?” In the book, A More Beautiful Question, author Warren Berger claims, “4-year-olds ask as many as 200 to 300 questions a day. ... kids ask an average of 40,000 questions between the ages of 2 and 5.” Though often exhausting for parents, questioning proves essential for one’s growth. “... Berger shows, the most creative, successful people tend to be expert questioners. They’ve mastered the art of inquiry, raising questions no one else is asking—and finding the answers everyone else is seeking.”
http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/080920.cfm
“Mom, you sure do spiral. One moment you’re flying high and then one bit of unpleasant news and you spiral down.” She stopped me in my tracks. It’s true. We were excited about creating welcome bags for a family event scheduled in September. But the minute she mentioned a guest sending her regrets because of concerns about coronavirus, I spiraled. “No one will attend. We may as well forget the bags. Maybe we should all stay home.” Laura whipped me back to reality, “Mom, no. We need to make a few adjustments, but a cancellation does not warrant we all stay home.” Spiraling. In my little mind, I go from excitement to dread in moments. I plunge from enthusiasm to devastation in seconds. I plummet from faith to fear in milliseconds. On a glorious April afternoon, she rounded the corner of the garage with a bounce in her step. Though she didn’t speak, she practically shook with joy as she held out the single flower from the rhododendron bush for all to admire. Her smile, wide and appreciative, exhibited her excitement over this smallest of gifts. At eighty-five years of age, Mom’s heart overflowed with child-like emotion from years of dementia. In this “diminished” state, she often saw what others took for granted. Not only flowers, but cloud formations, birds, and babies. She could often “see” the important realities of life.
http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/062820.cfm
One cup of cold water Satisfies a thirst One extra-mile Lightens the load One invitation Dispels the loneliness One thank-you Affirms one’s worth One visit Brightens the day One smile Crosses a boundary One handshake Averts a war One stand Brings about justice One prayer Changes a heart One cup of water Christ to another Photo by Brandon Kaida on Unsplash Naming Grace in the Domestic Church reflects on Scripture through the lens of a parent/grandparent. To contact Mary about her reflections or to speak: www.mary pedersen.com http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/062120.cfm
“Don’t worry about it.” Every single time we asked one of our sons what was bothering him, he’d respond: “Don’t worry about it.” As his parents, of course we worried about it—whatever the “it” was. Was “it” failing a class or not making the team? Was “it” struggling with an assignment or a problem with a friend? “Don’t worry about it,” always triggered worry in us. Out of love, we want to know every single detail of our children’s lives—especially their worries. If kept to one’s self, worry grows. If revealed, we could offer a little help, a word of encouragement, or an idea for moving forward. |
ReflectionsThe blog on this page presents reflections on the Sunday readings through the lens of a parent/grandparent, aiding leaders of the domestic church in their vital task as “first heralds” or “first preachers” of the Good News in the home. Archives
December 2021
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