FRIDAY, May 14

Ephesians 2:1-10. For by grace you have been saved through faith, and this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God.

Before I earned my driver's license, my parents let me practice driving back and forth in the driveway. One night, with the music loud and my mind elsewhere, I dented the car. I went in to confess, but my parents already knew what had happened. My mother went out to the car, assessed the damage, dislodged the car from the boulder I had hit, and drove it into the garage.

I remember watching the red rear lights, tearful, anticipating the forthcoming lecture. As she opened the car door, I began my weeping confession. She interrupted me and said, "I love you." Not really hearing her, I began my confession again, only to be interrupted again. This time I did hear her, but I could barely believe it. My mother loved me. I deserved anger, but what I got was love. She saw my remorse and surprised me with love.

My mother's love was a gift that night, and I think of it every time I hear of God's love for us. It, too, is a gift we do not deserve, but God gives it to us again and again. (2000)

PRAY for the Diocese of Colombia (Province IX, USA)

Ps 85, 86 * 91, 92; 1 Samuel 2:1-10; Matthew 7:22-27

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Good Lesson

May 14, 2010 at 6:31 am

Written by Stephen Miller,

This is a good lesson for me when I get too judgmental. Can we as a community put up the dents that others put in things. The trouble not only in our own families but others out there like immigrants.

...

May 14, 2010 at 9:12 am

Written by Steve Doutt,

Stephen, good point. I heard an opinion the other day that expressed anger from the perspective of, "what I have to lose". It was interesting because the person did not actually possess what they feared losing. It was as if they were angry at losing a hope for something.

Parish Administrator

May 14, 2010 at 9:26 am

Written by Marco of San Francisco,

I am the administrator at a church, not Episcopal, and staff members, including myself,
are given no love or concern when the pastor can't cope with a given situation or something doesn't go the way they want it. Today's reading is a reminder to me to be
more aware of God's love for us and to share that love and be more considerate of others.

...

May 14, 2010 at 9:47 am

Written by Tim Holsonback,

I resemble the car incident. I backed into a tree and dented the passenger trunk end. I ran into house crying. Daddy made me get back out there and keep practicing.

Editor, Forward Day by Day

May 14, 2010 at 9:57 am

Written by Richard H Schmidt,

Thanks for all three of your comments. This is one of my favorite meditations of all those from the past that we are reprinting this year. To Marco: I feel your pain. I've been an unappreciated staff member myself, and I think I may have been a pastor in your pastor's situation in one of my former parishes. I'm guessing your boss is in a lot of pain, too. In my experience, when someone can't express appreciation for the good work of subordinates, it's often because he or she is hurt and emotionally frozen. If your pastor will receive it, try showing him a little appreciation. He may be receiving even less appreciation than he gives out. Anyway, thanks for your comment, and God bless.

...

May 14, 2010 at 10:30 am

Written by Mary kier,

This meditation reminds me how close a Mom's love is to Christ's unconditional love. I trained to be a classrom teacher and I remember one of the phrases they taught us to say during a disciplinary problem was" I like you, I do not approve of your behavior. Always afirming the child of his worth.
God knows our imperfections however he loves us despite thiis as long as we regret and confess our sins God's grace and unending love is with us.

Run away but can't hide

May 14, 2010 at 1:30 pm

Written by Gaye Anne McWade,

I'm struck that we can't hear the love if we don't go to "fess up". There's such great freedom in repentance or simply owning up to our actions that have caused "dents" or worse.

...

May 14, 2010 at 4:35 pm

Written by Sheri Christi,

It is helpful to hear positive mother stories. I took a meditation class a few years back from a Hindu yogi named Karunamayi, who radiates sweetness and “mother energy.” When everyone was deep she somehow pushed her presence into us, laughed out loud and said, “Oh the power! Now everyone will be a little Karunamayi!” For months it was so horrible that if I didn’t have faith in Jesus it would have killed me, but through his grace (plus prayer and fasting), her spirit was thrown off; although, a residual effect lingers. Hers was the best disguise for a devil that I could imagine as mothers are so ubiquitous and central to human life. A wise and loving mother is a profound grace.

...

May 17, 2010 at 4:26 pm

Written by Richard,

This meditation has helped my understanding of grace. The expression of love should superceed other actions. I am not sure it alway should. For example when should a disciplinary action, justifiable at school be followed by one at home as well?

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