Dearest Ones,
Last night we experienced a delightful time when we invited a Presentation college instructor, Randy Mages, along with his family, to have dinner with us. The occasion was his daughter (Amanda's) 17th birthday. Since Amanda works for us in the dining room, and it was her night to help serve supper - it was planned to be a surprise for her - and it was - she was totally surprised!
Randy's wife, who has had lung cancer for three years, was able to come in a wheel chair. She is on oxygen always. The reason I write about this is because the family is such an inspiration. They have one other daughter, age 14. The family feels their mother's illness has brought the family closer together spiritually, and has brought many blessings. They feel they are completely in God's hands, with no self-pity, although they know she is going to die. They are at peace and thankful for the years they have had together.
The family is the smallest, but the greatest organization in the world! Not only the greatest, but also the oldest. But a family will not last if it lacks obedience, respect, good will and love. "Honor your father and your mother," says the 4th commandment. Why are they to be honored? They are to be honored because after God, a father and a mother give life and all the material necessities of life. They are our first teachers and our first friends.
We say "Thank you" and "May God bless you" when a stranger does a kindness for us. Should we not say, with love, "thank you" to those who break their backs working in order to feed us, providing us with clothes and keeping them clean, who lose sleep when we are sick, hold us on their laps when we are tired and sorrowful? Not a few parents spend sleepless nights worrying about teenagers who are out late, fearing they will not use good judgment by making bad decisions.
Last night we experienced a delightful time when we invited a Presentation college instructor, Randy Mages, along with his family, to have dinner with us. The occasion was his daughter (Amanda's) 17th birthday. Since Amanda works for us in the dining room, and it was her night to help serve supper - it was planned to be a surprise for her - and it was - she was totally surprised!
Randy's wife, who has had lung cancer for three years, was able to come in a wheel chair. She is on oxygen always. The reason I write about this is because the family is such an inspiration. They have one other daughter, age 14. The family feels their mother's illness has brought the family closer together spiritually, and has brought many blessings. They feel they are completely in God's hands, with no self-pity, although they know she is going to die. They are at peace and thankful for the years they have had together.
The family is the smallest, but the greatest organization in the world! Not only the greatest, but also the oldest. But a family will not last if it lacks obedience, respect, good will and love. "Honor your father and your mother," says the 4th commandment. Why are they to be honored? They are to be honored because after God, a father and a mother give life and all the material necessities of life. They are our first teachers and our first friends.
All parents make
mistakes but the secret is not to focus too much on the mistakes, just as long
as they smother it all over with love. In the end what really matters
is love - it washes away the mistakes and each day you start
over.
We say "Thank you" and "May God bless you" when a stranger does a kindness for us. Should we not say, with love, "thank you" to those who break their backs working in order to feed us, providing us with clothes and keeping them clean, who lose sleep when we are sick, hold us on their laps when we are tired and sorrowful? Not a few parents spend sleepless nights worrying about teenagers who are out late, fearing they will not use good judgment by making bad decisions.
It is our father and mother who prepare us for
school first, and then for life. They are
our friends. We all know of some children who make friends with strangers and
close their hearts to their parents. They let strangers spoil their hearts and
minds with bad friendships, which are the cause of many tears for parents.
When you feel lonely, when you feel
unwanted, when you feel sick and forgotten - it is usually to our parents we
turn.
In the life to come, the hereafter, there will
either be a prize or a punishment according to how we have treated our parents.
God orders us to love our parents, and who does not love them, commits a sin.
No doubt, a bad son or daughter will not make a good parent. It is hard to
trust someone who wrongs his parents to be a good parent.
Parents need to be an example of mercy and
compassion. A mother is always the first image of the bride a young man is
looking for - a father is for his daughters the image of the husband they dream
of. If parents are forgiving, their children are likely to be so, also. It is
so sad when one hears of children not speaking to their parents for years
because of unforgiveness. No communication, either by phone or
letter.
My parents are in
heaven - I only hope I gave them the proper respect, which they deserve. May we
love and treasure one another as God loves and treasures us. May the Holy
Spirit lead you and your family to peace and joy!
Love and prayers,
Sister Francelle sisterfrancelle.blogspot.com
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