A COMPLICATED JOY
THOUGHTS ON CELEBRATING MOTHER'S AND FATHER'S DAY
By by Phil Ware
The article that is found here was originally published by Phil Ware on June 10th, 2002 www.heartlight.org and is reproduced by permission of the author. The topic that Phil deals with is most significant within the Church - especially as preachers and liturgists struggle with what they should say and do within their faith communities each May and June as Mother's Day and Father's Day looms up before them.
A Complicated Joy, by Phil Ware
Have you noticed how hard it is to have a simple joyful event
anymore? Something inside wants me to blame it on some external
factor like political correctness run amuck. Unfortunately, it is not
that simple. We live in a fallen world of complicated joy.
Special times like Mother's Day or Father's Day remind me of this sad
reality. While I enjoy preaching a "happy little sermon" about moms or
dads, the complicated reality of our broken world jumps up and trips
me. There are those moms or dads who have been abandoned or abused by
their spouses and the last thing they want to do is give thanks or
hear nice things about something and someone they don't have. Ditto
for those who have had horrible experiences with their own moms or
dads. In addition, there are those who have wanted and prayed and
waited to be moms and dads without success and with deep wounds.
Suddenly, what seems so simple and profoundly important jumps up has
the joy stolen from its moment. Our concern for the wounded often
leads us to forego the rejoicing, tone done the celebration, or issue
all sorts of exception statements so the wounded don't get further
injured. Meanwhile, those who have reason for joy have a lot of it
siphoned out of the moment.
As Christian communities, however, I believe our churches need times
of unabashed joy. Yes, there are those in pain who have been
victimized by bad marriages or bad parents. Yes, there are those who
ache to have children of their own and who find what is missing
hurtful on these kinds of days. But, I believe we truly NEED to
celebrate these kinds of moments without apology. Let me share a few
reasons why.
First, we need to honor those to whom honor is due. In our petty and
nit-picky world, people seldom get the affirmation and praise they
deserve. Standing up and honoring those who deserve must be done -- it
is not an option for godly people. God wants us to honor those to whom
honor is due. (Romans 13:7)
Second, our children need to know that in the troubled world in which
they often find themselves, there are moments of joy to cherish and to
anticipate. How do they know what "normal" should be, or what goal to
set for their own lives if all they hear about are the exceptions and
the injuries? Let's teach them to be kind and compassion as well as to
think on lovely things and to reach for them in their own lives.
(Philippians 4:4-9)
Third, so often in caring Christian communities, our focus is on the
broken, the wounded, the left out, and the injured. This is not only
appropriate; it is righteous in the truest definition of that
biblically rich term. We must be communities of care and compassion.
We also must maintain a healthy and holy balance. Thanks for our
blessings, praise for the greatness and graciousness of our loving
God, and appreciation for his response to our pleas for help and
healing should also be a part of our worship. A compassionate
community will lose its compassion if it forgets the joy that inspired
it. We must rejoice with those who rejoice in addition to weeping with
those who weep. (Romans 12:15) The broken need to share the blessing
of gratitude with those who rejoice. This is not just encouragement
for those rejoicing, but it also helps the broken refocus on other
things than their own brokenness and offers the promise of their own
brighter tomorrow.
Birthday parties are special because a group of friends come to
rejoice at the blessings of someone else. Much is the same in our
celebrations of complicated joy at church. We will never assemble with
unfettered joy on this side of heaven. But, if we will allow
ourselves, we can anticipate that unfettered joy in moments of
celebration where the broken, injured, and wounded share in the joy of
the moment with those who are not. While it may be a bit complicated
by our fallen and broken world, our time together as God's family must
be a time to anticipate the joy that awaits us when our Father brings
us home!
Even though it may be complicated, rejoice!
In this you rejoice, though now for a little while you may have to
suffer various trials, so that the genuineness of your faith, more
precious than gold which though perishable is tested by fire, may
redound to praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus
Christ. Without having seen him you love him; though you do not now
see him you believe in him and rejoice with unutterable and exalted
joy. As the outcome of your faith you obtain the salvation of your
souls. (1 Peter 1:6-9)
Article Copyright - Phil Ware (c) HEARTLIGHT used by permission.
Page Copyright - Rev. Richard J. Fairchild 2002
- please acknowledge the appropriate author if citing these materials.
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