Daily Worship

Basecamp Family

Albert Bogle January 04, 2017 0 0
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Psalm 39: 4-6

4 ‘Show me, Lord, my life’s end
    and the number of my days;
    let me know how fleeting my life is.
5 You have made my days a mere handbreadth;
    the span of my years is as nothing before you.
Everyone is but a breath,
    even those who seem secure.

6 ‘Surely everyone goes around like a mere phantom;
    in vain they rush about, heaping up wealth
    without knowing whose it will finally be.

Our lives have many basecamps where we stop and draw inspiration before we continue to the next base. Creating a family legacy of love and compassion, forgiveness and mercy must surely be at least one of the greatest achievement we should all aim for as we move through life. Each of us has a responsibility to ensure that our families are never exclusive, that we always leave space for others to be welcomed into even deeper bonds of friendship and loyalty. 

As I write this reflection Martha and I have just become grandparents for the second time. I hope that the world will be a kinder place than it is today for the children of the future. However they have  their own contribution to make to the world and I guess the timing of their birth decides where and when that contribution will be made. I pray it will be a good one.

It is at a time like this we are aware that life is a gift from God. For me it is not a given or even a right. It is a mystery in God’s hands. All through our lives we move from one stage to another. From youth to middle age to old age. As we move forward into another year and perhaps another basecamp let us all take note of the words of the psalmist when he writes , “So teach us to number our days that we might apply our hearts to wisdom". Psalm 90.12


Lord,

Thank you for basecamps

For people who inspire and encourage us.

Children and parents and grandparents

Aunts and uncles

Neighbours and friends

All who make up the extended family

Teach us how to be inclusive

Open hearted.

Give us the will and the energy and the understanding 

To be more considerate to each other this year.

Help us to share more of our lives with each other

The good and the bad

Give us grace to be 

Less critical of our family faults

Help us learn from 

the waiting times

the wishing times 

the wondering times 

Draw a circle of love and protection around 

all who are vulnerable and feeling unwanted. 

Today we pray,

For the children about to be born

The children who have just been born

The children who have been waiting for years on the will 

Of a father 

Or a mother

To say yes to a their life

Grant to us the wisdom to know when 

To step out and say yes to the next stage of our lives

Give us the grace to apply our hearts to wisdom