The last book of the old testament ends with the last verse: "He will turn the hearts of the fathers to the children and the hearts of the children to their fathers" or I will come and strike the land with a curse. Malachi 4:6
I have three reflections from mediations on this:
The Father of heaven turned his heart toward his children, all creation, and opened his heart to the suffering and betrayal of humanity. It opened the door to his creation, children turning their heart toward the Father.
Malachi is the prophet for the 21st Century calling us to turning and tuning our hearts toward our children as father's and to lead our children to turning and tuning their hearts toward us.
Yesterday was fathers' Day. Two of the three of my children, and all three of my great grandchildren were at our home for a hike and cook out. It was wonderful. Over the past few years their has been hurt and betrayal in our relationship. As a father I caused some of that pain. The daughter not present though very present in spirit worked through our sense of betrayal and I asked her forgiveness. My heart tuned and turned to her in a new way and healing occurred. The ripple of that seoulhealing (she is from Seoul Korea) has continued to expand in the family wherever it is welcome. Our family gathering was a rich celebration of hearts healed. All of us different in our minds about lots of things but one in our heart of love for each other.
Turning and tuning our hearts toward the hurt and pain in others creates healing and hope for our world. We judge with our minds that think certain things and our feeling that get stuck in certain fixations. In these days God is calling the church the world to let go of judgment that is about correct thinking and embrace the heart with heart for healing.
So thank you to all my children who have provoked me to growth and who have grown with me! From being right in mind and opinions to being right in heart and attitude.
When the heart of the father can take the lead in admitting failure he may become the best leader of all.
I believe God is calling Father's to take the lead in leadership not as in dominance or control but as example and true fortitude.
It was a great father's Day
About Me
- Don Paine
- I am a pastor and a clinical psychotherapist. My life's passion is defining healthiness from a human perspective and paralleling it to the holiness of God, divine perspective. Shifting perspectives creates a paradigm that is alongside of rather than over and against. The parakalein of God and the paradoxes of humanity are redefined. Humanity is all about winning and yet we are losing ground everywhere. Divinity is all about letting go of the desire to win and the fear of loss. The Divine embraces the world with loving care regardless of anything.
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