Dark Brightness

Today is mother’s day. Which is a difficult day for me, as the boys mother is at least 1500 km away. If you a child with one parent, days like this are awful. At least there were no flowers given to Mothers, and the idea of a Mothers day gift has not taken root in the true South. We are too Scottish for that.

So, after talking to his Mum,  Master 12 is needing hugs. Mister 14 has retreated into the playstation.

At Kirk today the talk was about courage, about going where you need to be. The congregational trip to support hill tribes in Thailand was mentioned. Us — we need to get a scattered family together at some time this year.

And we are fortunate. I have a job. I have not (as yet) been retrenched, in a time when both of my employers have less funds.  This is a time of trial for many families.

James 1:2-8, 16-18

2My brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of any kind, consider it nothing but joy, 3because you know that the testing of your faith produces endurance; 4and let endurance have its full effect, so that you may be mature and complete, lacking in nothing.5If any of you is lacking in wisdom, ask God, who gives to all generously and ungrudgingly, and it will be given you. 6But ask in faith, never doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, driven and tossed by the wind; 7, 8 for the doubter, being double-minded and unstable in every way, must not expect to receive anything from the Lord.16Do not be deceived, my beloved.17Every generous act of giving, with every perfect gift, is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change. 18In fulfillment of his own purpose he gave us birth by the word of truth, so that we would become a kind of first fruits of his creatures.

via PCUSA – Devotions – Daily readings for Sunday, May 9, 2010.

It takes wisdom to ignore the hedonistic and negativistic narrative of this time. A narrative of dependance — which does not highlight the Tenessean who is fixing his or her flooded home without help because their narrative is that the elected King (currently Obama) should rescue them.

Which is a fantasy. When there is little money, we have to help each other.

At Kirk we have emptied our missions fund. And we acknowledge help of time as well as money. We are called to be courageous, to do the work of today, to be hospitable… and to be where we do the most good.

And, my dear boys, that happens to be Dunedin at this time.