Wednesday, December 20
Angry or Not, Here I Come
Narrative Lectionary Daily Devotions written by Kace Leetch from Clergy Stuff.
God promised Israel, through the prophet Isaiah, that they will one day be restored from their exile. They understand their banishment to be their own doing -- they disobeyed and angered God, and they were punished for it. But God promises not to be angry forever.
This promise rings in my head as I myself try to balance anger and punishment with forgiveness and acceptance. As a parent, I find this balance challenging and frustrating. As a general rule, I am a pretty chill kinda person. I don't get shaken too easily. We have a lot of kids (teens) at our house, and they behave like, well, teens. For the most part I love these kids and would do anything for them. But there are a few things that really ruffle my injustice feathers, and my chill nature gets hot. For one, I don't tolerate stealing. It doesn't happen often, but when it does, watch out! Also, I will not accept disrespecting the girls in the house. No touching, teasing, aggressiveness of any kind. When they (rarely) cross the line, all hell breaks loose. The girls call me a "badass mom," and the boys start calling me "yes, ma'am." But at the heart of it all, all I really want is for my house to be safe for everyone. My exterior might be rock solid, but my heart is squishy.
To honor this badass/huggy bear balance, I want to recognize a few of my favorite soft and strong pop culture moms.
Mrs. Weasley in her finest moment balancing badass and squishy.
Beth is both soft and strong. Probably the most genuine badass mom of the bunch.
Narrative Lectionary Text: Isaiah 57:14-21
It shall be said, “Build up, build up, prepare the way, remove every obstruction from my people’s way.” For thus says the high and lofty one who inhabits eternity, whose name is Holy: I dwell in the high and holy place, and also with those who are contrite and humble in spirit, to revive the spirit of the humble, and to revive the heart of the contrite. For I will not continually accuse, nor will I always be angry; for then the spirits would grow faint before me, even the souls that I have made.
Because of their wicked covetousness I was angry; I struck them, I hid and was angry; but they kept turning back to their own ways. I have seen their ways, but I will heal them; I will lead them and repay them with comfort, creating for their mourners the fruit of the lips. Peace, peace, to the far and the near, says the Lord; and I will heal them. But the wicked are like the tossing sea that cannot keep still; its waters toss up mire and mud. There is no peace, says my God, for the wicked.