I have a problem this morning. My pair of Monday socks with ‘Dreading Mondays’ on them accidentally got caught up in the wash – so I can’t wear them. My autistic-spectrum mindset requires that I must wear Monday socks on Monday – and no others!
We’re good at focusing on our problems…
We worry about relationships that have gone wrong, rather than being grateful for good friends. At church yesterday we prayed for the sick – we didn’t thank God for those who are healthy. I’m aware of my failures more than my successes.
I’m reading Francine Rivers’ ‘Redeeming Love’… Set in California in the 1850s it tells the story of Angel, a beautiful girl who’s abused as a child and sold into prostitution. All everyone sees is a woman with a bad reputation – whose services can be bought. Angel becomes hard, hateful, and accepting that this is her life.
Michael chooses to see Angel differently. Knowing her reputation he marries her and loves her unconditionally. Although Angel rejects and runs from Michael’s love, eventually there is healing and redemption.
It’s a powerful retelling of the Biblical story of Hosea…
Zechariah, another prophet, brings a ‘message from the Lord’: ‘…old men and women will walk Jerusalem’s streets with their canes and will sit together in the city squares. And the streets of the city will be filled with boys and girls at play.’ (8:4-5)
Often problems focus on children or the elderly. Here’s a positive picture of hope. Young and old are integrated; there’s safety, security, stability…
Zechariah continues: ‘The traditional fasts and times of mourning… are now ended. They will become festivals of joy and celebration… So love truth and peace.’ (8:19) Fasts become feasts!
Musing… I can mourn past failures, losses and mistakes; I can moan that things aren’t how I think they should be… Or I can choose to celebrate with joy…
…I’m not ‘Dreading Mondays’; I shall open a new pack of socks and choose a cheerful orange pair!
malcolmsmusings.org 