*The Hurrier I Go, the Behinder I Get*

I remember my mother had a plaque with that saying on it. Although she explained the meaning to me, I never really understood it. Now I do.

The older I get the slower I operate. Maybe it’s somewhat of a protective mechanism.

So much going on this month. First with getting all the taxes done. When you itemize there is usually lots of paper work to be had. And this year I made a mistake and that took time to fix.

Then the *Klutz* and *If It Can Happen It Will*, in me decided to show it’s ugly head. My husband got the flu and shortly thereafter I was blessed to get it also. Then a couple of weeks ago I somehow tore a muscle in my leg, causing pain and aggravation. I eventually realized the pain and appearance of the leg needed a medical opinion, which my neighbor who is an EMT provided. I had a blood clot. Opps. The doctor worked me in and told me it wasn’t a serious thing, but I had to have a couple of tests, results not back as of yet, but my apprehension was relieved and I have tried to go on with things as normally as I can.

I also want to say to my friend Vicki, her father died a few days ago, that I am very sorry for you loss and I love you.

*Leaning on the Breast of Our Savior*

Now there was leaning on Jesus’ bosom one of His disciples, who Jesus loved.”
John 13:23 KJV

Let us go deeply into the portrait of that supper, the last meal our Lord shared with His beloved disciples. As we enter the most intimate scene of human history, do our hearts pound and become full to almost bursting? For we are beginning to experience the magnitude, and depth, and power of being in the presence of Perfect Love. Does our breathing become more rapid or does it stop for fear that even one exhale might disturb the sacred scene before us? Do we sense the immediacy of the passing moments as they fulfill their appointed time?

Now, our eyes fix on Him, the One Who is Perfect Peace, the One upon Whose bosom His beloved disciple leans. Dare we intrude!? Can we even think, with our finite minds, the infinite sensation of receiving the Love being given as that one leans on the breast of his Master and friend? What is this loyal follower sensing through the rise and fall of his Lord’s breathing? Do we have the right to hear, as this one does, the very heartbeat of Jesus? Do we have the right to draw near to the One Whose lifeblood did spill on that Good day to conquer death, hell, and the grave?

He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all–how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things? …Christ Jesus, who died–more than that, who was raised to life–is at the right hand of God and interceding for us. ~~ Romans 8:32,34 NIV

…neither death nor life…neither a power from on high nor a power from below, nor anything else in God’s whole world has any power to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord!
Romans 8:38,39 J. B. Phillips

Our Lord beckons us to draw near to Him. He beckons us to lean hard upon His breast.

“Child of my love, lean hard
And let me feel the pressure of thy care…
Thou are not near enough,
I would embrace thy care;
So I might feel My child reposing on my breast.

Thou lovest Me?
I knew it. Doubt not then;
But loving Me, lean hard.”
~~Anonymous~~

Who’s Responsible

For several months I have been thinking and wondering about the responsibilities of parents to their children. Where does it start and where does it end?

Can you blame parents for everything their children do? If your 5th grader cheats on a test in school, are you responsible? If your college bound child is using drugs, are you responsible? What if your teenage son starts a fight in school, are you responsible? What if you find out your 9th grade daughter is promiscuous, are you responsible? How far does the responsibility factor go for a parent?

Times are so much different now than when I was growing up. Back then silence was a common commodity. If there were cracks in the family dynamic, it was kept silent. If you had a relative who committed a heinous act it wasn’t necessarily broadcasted to the whole world as it is today. If it did become known there was not nearly as much finger pointing. If an offspring or any relative did something horrible, that person got the blame because they were responsible.

It is a fact that no parent is perfect. We all have made and will continue to make mistakes because we are human, but when does our culpability begin and where does it end?

There are always stories about horrible things that have been done by SOMEONES child. I remember years ago a dear friend of mine who had a son who became a drug dealer. He was eventually sent to prison and I just recently found out he has had several trips down that road.

As a parent I know I have felt responsible when my children did something they shouldn’t have done. I must not have set a very good example for them. Or somehow I missed doing or saying the right things.

How long does the responsibility last? Do you or do you think you would, feel responsible for what your children do even if they were adults?