bullies and servants

Jesus got them together to settle things down. "You've observed how godless rulers throw their weight around," he said, "and when people get a little power how quickly it goes to their heads. It's not going to be that way with you. Whoever wants to be great must become a servant. Whoever wants to be first among you must be your slave. That is what the Son of Man has done: He came to serve, not to be served—and then to give away his life in exchange for many who are held hostage." Matthew 10:42-45 (The Message)

It certainly isn't the first time, and I guess it won't be the last. I get so angry when my children are attacked by bullies. It's like a double injury: there is my child, hurt in physical and emotional ways, and then there is the broken life of the offender who is often much older and more deeply immersed in bad decisions and environments. Lord, help me be a stronghold, a deliverer. And help me create a safe haven for my children in addition to helping them navigate complex social situations. May my children grow to be hungry to serve, rather than hungry to rule over others.

prayer to a mothering God

When Israel was a child, I loved him, and I called my son out of Egypt. But the more I called to him, the farther he moved from me, offering sacrifices to the images of Baal and burning incense to idols. I myself taught Israel how to walk, leading him along by the hand. But he doesn’t know or even care that it was I who took care of him. I led Israel along with my ropes of kindness and love. I lifted the yoke from his neck, and I myself stooped to feed him. Hosea 11:1-4 (NLT)

Can a mother forget her nursing child? Can she feel no love for the child she has borne? But even if that were possible, I would not forget you! Isaiah 49:15 (NLT)

Rejoice with Jerusalem! Be glad with her, all you who love her and all you who mourn for her. Drink deeply of her glory even as an infant drinks at its mother’s comforting breasts. This is what the Lord says: "I will give Jerusalem a river of peace and prosperity. The wealth of the nations will flow to her. Her children will be nursed at her breasts, carried in her arms, and held on her lap. I will comfort you there in Jerusalem as a mother comforts her child.” Isaiah 66:10-13 (NLT)

…how often I have longed to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings... Matthew 23:37 (NIV)

Like an eagle that rouses her chicks and hovers over her young, so he spread his wings to take them up and carried them safely on his pinions...You neglected the Rock who had fathered you; you forgot the God who had given you birth. Deuteronomy 32:11, 18 (NLT)

Mothering God, you have loved us, your children, and never will you turn away from us. Can a mother forget her nursing infant, or have no compassion for the child she has birthed? Never will you forget us. We will nurse and be satisfied, we will delight in your overflowing abundance. You have carried us on your arm and dandled us on your knee. You have taught us to walk, taking us by the arms; you led us with ties of love. But though you have raised us, often when you called us in we turned and went further from you. How you have worked to gather us together like a mother hen gathers her chicks under her wings! When we were hurt, it was you who healed us. As a mother comforts her child you have soothed and reassured us. Like an eagle that stirs up her nest and hovers over her young, you have cared for and watched over us. Spread your wings to catch us when we fall away. May you alone lead us. May we never forget you who gave us birth.

outrageous praise and witness

When the religious leaders saw the outrageous things he was doing, and heard all the children running and shouting through the Temple, "Hosanna to David's Son!" they were up in arms and took him to task. "Do you hear what these children are saying?" Jesus said, "Yes, I hear them. And haven't you read in God's Word, 'From the mouths of children and babies I'll furnish a place of praise'?" Matthew 21:15-16 (The Message)

Jesus, may my children respond with praise to the outrageous things you are doing. May they run and shout to believers that you are the son of God. May the community of faith you have brought us to never fail to recognize your outrageous work nor reject the joyful testimony of the children.

for a struggling Christian couple

You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; to be made new in the attitude of your minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness. Ephesians 4:22-24 (New International Version)

Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you. Ephesians 4:31-32 (New International Version)

The disciples went and woke him, saying, "Master, Master, we're going to drown!" He got up and rebuked the wind and the raging waters; the storm subsided, and all was calm. "Where is your faith?" he asked his disciples. In fear and amazement they asked one another, "Who is this? He commands even the winds and the water, and they obey him." Luke 8:24-26 (New International Version)

I tell you the truth, whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven. Matthew 18:18 (New International Version)

Lord of Heaven and Earth, Wind and Sky: I bring before you this struggling young couple for whom my friend Shawn cares deeply. I don't know how broken their relationship is, but I know how hard it is to navigate when storms seem likely to overwhelm. Sometimes it's all we can do to keep the ship afloat. May this couple remember, even amid the thunder and waves, that you are Lord of All Creation, and that all things respond to your command. May they find plenty of community around them to help them bail out the water that threatens to sink their marriage. Let the past not defeat them, nor the present overwhelm them. Send your Light to guide and your Spirit to warm as you recall them to yourself.