{"id":18022,"date":"2021-10-29T06:00:00","date_gmt":"2021-10-29T05:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/mailchi.mp\/urc\/urc-daily-devotion-29-october-2021"},"modified":"2021-10-29T06:00:00","modified_gmt":"2021-10-29T05:00:00","slug":"urc-daily-devotion-29-october-2021","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.trinitywimbledon.org\/index.php\/urc-daily-devotion-29-october-2021\/","title":{"rendered":"URC Daily Devotion 29 October 2021"},"content":{"rendered":"

Friday October 29, 2021<\/span> <\/strong><\/p>\n

Proverbs 16: 31 – 32<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

Grey hair is a crown of glory;<\/span>
    it is gained in a righteous life.<\/span>
One who is slow to anger is better than the mighty,<\/span>
    and one whose temper is controlled than one who captures a city.<\/span><\/p>\n

Reflection<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

\u2018Your daughters could help you do something about ageing,\u2019 <\/span>was the unsolicited advice proffered.  The girls were listening.<\/p>\n

\u2018<\/span>Grey hair is beautiful.\u2019<\/p>\n

I was startled. Mostly teenagers are brutally blunt. <\/span><\/p>\n

Feminists and animal rights activists do warn against colourings.  Yet I like to think that deeper insights underpinned our daughters\u2019 verdict.<\/span><\/p>\n

God sees what\u2019s good.<\/span><\/p>\n

God knows us inside out.<\/span><\/p>\n

The first proverb shows the beauty of a life well lived: a wrinkled, imperfect, hoar-framed face radiates grace.  Such a person has long been able to express trust and praise, through bad times as in good ones.<\/span><\/p>\n

Yet could such a man or woman ever have lost their temper? <\/span><\/p>\n

Yes, and they\u2019d have found that most disquieting. <\/span><\/p>\n

Sometimes mounting anger feels as though a match is about to ignite a bonfire.<\/span><\/p>\n

Time out prevents flames from fanning. Breathing deeply, feeling air move through every pore of skin as mind and body settle – these are wholesome strategies.  Yet feelings may toss around, giving the illusion that God is absent.<\/span><\/p>\n

Rage might be the response to absurdity or injustice. <\/span><\/p>\n

Being real is vital for well-being.  No-one wants to end up crushed and despairing, nor to withdraw into a cold silence, barely covering pain and contempt.  Before inhibition sets in, infants know how to let rip.  How great it is, to see a creative parent <\/span>allowing, containing and understanding those ear-splitting currents of emotion.  There\u2019s time to reflect once the storm passes.<\/p>\n

Throughout life, finding that safe place and seeking wise counsel matter greatly.  Prayer is not about \u2018being a good boy (or girl)\u2019.   Self-control requires honesty, not compliance.<\/span><\/p>\n

Learning how to handle ourselves skilfully is very different from \u2018keeping the lid on\u2019. <\/span><\/p>\n

God loves us at the core, even in our troubled state. <\/span>Our choices, courage and genuine resilience expand as we face our vulnerabilities squarely. <\/p>\n

Prayer<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

Dear Jesus, <\/span>
You met hypocrisy with shrewd wit and went after corrupt people with a whip. <\/span>
You also tell us that we must forgive not seventy times, but seventy times seven.<\/span>
We ask for deep awareness that you accompany us through all life\u2019s scenes and stages.  <\/span>
Give us the humour and serenity we need, <\/span>and humble discernment whenever we are ready to call out whatever is outrageous.  Amen  <\/span>
 <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Friday October 29, 2021  Proverbs 16: 31 – 32 Grey hair is a crown of glory;    it is gained in a righteous life.One who is slow to anger is better than the mighty,    and one whose temper is controlled than one who captures a city. Reflection \u2018Your daughters could help you do something about ageing,\u2019 was the … <\/p>\n

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