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This is the day that the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.

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July 16, 2020 | 2 Comments

Practicing caution in an age of fear

When my son was very young, he developed a fascination with electrical outlets.

Yes, yes, we used the outlet covers, and, yes, yes, inevitably, he’d find the one recently used outlet where we’d forgotten to replace the cover.

It all stopped, though, the night he decided to see what would happen if he put tweezers in the bathroom outlet where I’d just been drying my hair. After a loud crack and a scream, we found him on the other side of the room in a heap, unharmed, but wiser. He never went near another outlet again with small metal objects.

By trial and error, cracks and screams, it could be said that we learn what to fear and what not to fear. 

The Savior Jesus teaches again and again to fear nothing. In Luke 12 alone, he teaches on fear three times. “I tell you, my friends, do not fear those who kill the body, and after that can do nothing more” (12:4), and again, “Therefore, I tell you, do not worry about your life” (12:22), and again, “Do not be afraid, little flock, for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom” (v. 32).

But, my son needed to fear electrical outlets, didn’t he? Fear is good, isn’t it, if it keeps us safe? 

No.

To fear something or someone is to give it power over us–at times, more power than God. Raw fear cripples us. It makes enemies of friends, and it rips neighbors apart. Raw fear makes us stupid.  [Read more…]

Courage, Family, Fear, Gospel of Luke, Jesus Christ, Parenting, Uncategorized Tagged: COVID 19, electrical outlets, Karl


May 8, 2019 | Leave a Comment

A different Mother’s Day

This Mother’s Day is different. I’m getting ready to send my firstborn baby out into the world. In less than ten days, she’ll graduate from high school, and in three months she’ll head to college. Hand me the Kleenex now, and keep them coming.

Parenthood isn’t easy. Remember the Proverbs 31 woman? She’s a mother who works in the home and outside of it, gets up early, goes to bed late, buys land, plants a crop, gives to the poor, helps out the needy, and finds time to make her own clothes. She gives up a lot, mostly sleep, and probably a little free time, too, but what matters is what she gives: she gives confidence to her family, and wisdom, and kindness.

Like every mother of every generation, she gives for no better reason than love.

If any mother tries to tell you differently, on one of those lousy days when we’re feeling sorry for ourselves because the kids won’t behave and the school called again, the car won’t start, the washer’s leaking, and the paycheck didn’t quite stretch as far enough, and you hear us moaning, “Oh, I’m doing it all for the sake of my children…Oh, I think nothing of myself!,”  don’t believe her. Just smile, and nod, and hand her another cup of coffee.

Here’s the little secret mothers like to keep to ourselves on those bad days: We get back just as much as we give. No mother gets paid for being a mother, not in dollars and cents. A mother’s payment is love in return. That’s why we do it.

This Mother’s Day, let’s thank our moms profusely for all they’ve done for us. Let’s thank God for them. Let’s remember and give thanks for all the kindnesses, large and small, and especially for the gift of faith in Jesus Christ, which so many of our mothers passed on to us.

But, also, we mothers might take the opportunity to thank our children, for all they have done and are doing to make us wiser, more patient and holier people, and for bringing us joy.

As my daughter heads off into adulthood, there’s a certain peace that comes with knowing I’ve done all I can do. Of course, the peace alternates with terror. What if all I’ve done wasn’t enough? Both the peace and the terror are eventually overcome, though, by gratitude. Thank you, baby, for letting me be your mother.

Finally, let’s all thank God, the source of life and love. We love, after all, because He first loved us.

Fear, Jesus Christ, Parenting Tagged: Elly, motherhood, self-sacrifice


April 15, 2019 | Leave a Comment

Monday of Holy Week: the dog peed on the backpack

Our dog peed on (really into) my son’s backpack some time over the weekend.  We discovered it as we were pulling out of the driveway to head to school.  

“Mom,” Karl said. “Smell this.”  Never a good sign.

Back into the house we went to unpack and sanitize what we could, transfer the contents of his bag, and throw the stinky backpack in the washing machine.  

Happy Holy Monday.

I am unusually grateful today that the events we remember this week, leading to Jesus’ death and resurrection, are not reliant upon me.

“Jesus said, ‘You now have sorrow, but I will see you again and your heart will rejoice and your joy no one can take from you.’” (John 16:22)

All I have to do is see Jesus. I don’t have to have my act together.  The backpack can get peed on, tempers can flare, work can consume, feet can ache, but all I have to do is look at Jesus.  Just look.

And my heart will rejoice.  And my joy won’t be taken away from me.

William Barclay wrote, “The joy the world gives is at the mercy of the world. The joy which Christ gives is independent of anything the world can do.” (The New Daily Study Bible, The Gospel of John, Volume Two, p. 231)

It gets harder to look at 

Jesus as this week continues.  Gazing upon the cross is difficult when His body hangs there, but that’s all the more reason to keep looking and keep remembering. Without such sacrifice, our joy would depend on us.  Without such sacrifice, the world wins.

Happy Holy Monday, everyone.  Keep your eyes on Jesus, and keep your backpacks off the floor.

Gospel of John, Holy Week, Parenting Tagged: backpack, Holy Monday, joy, Karl


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This is the day that
the Lord has made;
let us rejoice
and be glad in it.

– Psalm 118:24

Rev. Dr. MJ Romano

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Bible Verse of the Day

Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.
Galatians 6:10
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