My son, the one that is argumentative, assertive, and loveable... got the only 100% on a recent essay in his religion class. He was asked to read it aloud. The essay was on stewardship, and it had specific areas it had to contain. Basically it asked about the whys and hows of stewardship of God's creation. Then it asked how his family was contributing to the principle.
I am very proud of him. My son is inconsistent with his grades. He is capable of high A's (and his teachers remind us of this every reporting period), but he is 14. I figure he will get the grades he should next year, when his high school records start.
But, what makes me the happiest, is that he was able to convey a key principle of our family in essay form. Our family believes that showing love to all of God's creation, is the perfect reflection of our perfect God. Our raising of happy, free-range chickens, using glass milk/orange juice bottles, recycling, etc., are areas where we staunchly act in praising God's creation.
But, what his essay did not say...
Our family is very trusting. And we pay for this trust way too often. When we feel that there is someone in need, we give all that we can emotionally and physically. This is the essence of love. But we are coming to realize that those who distrust easily....are also willing to hurt others easily.
I am trying to come to grips with the sadness I have endured recently with another family that our family gave our hearts to. When I am hurt deeply, I fight with myself not to hate the people that have hurt me. How do I show compassion? I can SHOW compassion, and I do...but how do I FEEL compassion?
Dunno.
