NACR Daily Meditation for Sunday, Jul 27, 2003

27 Jul 2003 07:00:02 -0000

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NACR Daily Meditation for Sunday, Jul 27, 2003

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Suppose a woman has ten silver coins and loses one. Does she not light
a lamp, sweep the house and search carefully until she finds it? And when
she finds it, she calls her friends and neighbors together and says, 'Rejoice
with me; I have found my lost coin.' In the same way, I tell you, there
is rejoicing in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents.

Luke 15:8

God rejoices when we turn away from our self-destructive way of life
toward a grace-full way of life. God rejoices.

The process of recovery begins when we are able by God's grace to recognize
that our efforts to be God -- to control, to make things perfect -- have
failed. When this happens we are able to face clearly the behaviors which
have been destructive to ourselves and others. We can then turn from our
sin to God. Even when this process involves a long search, God rejoices
when we are found.

When a child is born, it is a joyful event. Functional parents prize
the child. They hold the child and talk to the child and marvel over the
child. The infant does not yet contribute much to the world. It comes
as a bundle of needs. But the infant brings joy simply by being.

God is our Good Father. God prizes our existence in the world. God desires
to have a relationship with us. Even when we are a bundle of needs and
not yet able to contribute much to the world, God rejoices over us. When we
are restored, reconciled, found, it brings God joy.

God rejoices over you. God experiences joy when you are found. God
throws a party when your relationship is re-established. God finds
joy in you.

Lord, help me to take it in. 
I can't image myself as the object of your joy.
Help me to see that you find joy in me.
Amen.

Copyright 1991 Dale and Juanita Ryan 

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