Luke 1.39–56
Two women were brought together by the hopes and threats of their shared circumstances. Sharing in the unfolding work of the good news of Jesus brings us into partnerships with those who hold a similar hope and vision. We need that support. A burden shared is a burden halved.
I feel that my role is more to help people see for themselves what needs to be done for children. When we teach child rights, we take a strong line on the responsibilities that each child has as well. We do not advocate rights without responsibility. If we are able to help our children to understand this, we are helping them to grow into good members of the community. The community workers I have worked with have been very proactive on behalf of children. As a community they have decided that all children should be going to school, and parents who choose to keep their children away are fined. There had also been a problem with children and alcohol, but now adults are not allowing the children to drink, and parents are taking a more proactive approach in knowing where their children are, and preventing them from going to unhelpful places. The community workers are also making house calls in order to see how they can help people. We are excited, because I didn’t prompt them to do this – they took the training and applied it to their own setting.
Ruth Radley, CMS mission partner
What have you given and received from others as you have shared in mission?
Lord God,
thank you for those who come alongside us for our support and encouragement.
May we know how to receive their encouragement and vision,
as we learn how to encourage and envision others.
Help us to cultivate friendships that nourish us.
Help us to bear friendships that drain us.
And help us to make friends more easily.
Amen.
In love and in friendship,
in sharing common goals and common fears,
in being part of the same extended family,
in admitting that we are so alike,
in recognizing that we are so very different,
in finding a kindred spirit,
in accepting the insights of others,
may we hold in common the things that unite us,
may we hold together the calling we share,
may we know that we are stronger together than divided,
this day and for evermore.
Amen.
