Do you ever look back at those old family photos and wonder if things were as nice as they seemed to be? I'm sure that every era had it's trials and stresses, but sometimes I can't help but long for simpler times when chores were tougher, but life tended to move slower. It just sounds like a dream come true to spend a whole day down at the Blanco River even if it means doing laundry while I'm down there. This is a photograph of my Great Grandma Becky and her husband J.C. Lane in front of a house in Wimberley, Texas that he built. My Aunt Joy and late Granny Dot are the children in the photo. My heart just rejoices at seeing those sweet smiles on thier faces. I've heard many stories about this season of their lives and I do believe from the bottom of my heart that things were just as nice as they look here.

I recently read this passage from Simply Christian by N.T. Wright. He led up to these statements by describing the longing of our human hearts to want justice and correct order with our worlds. However, we continually struggle for this seemingly illusive goal of rightness.

Meanwhile, we all want a happy and secure home life. Dr. Johnson, an 18th century conversationalist, once remarked that the aim and goal of all human endeavor is to be "happy at home." But in the Western world, and many other parts as well, homes and families are tearing themselves apart. The gentle art of being gentle- of kindness and forgiveness, sensitivity and thoughtfulness and generosity and humility and good old-fashioned love- have gone out of fashion. Ironically, everyone is demanding their "rights," and this demand is so shrill that it destroys one of the most basic "rights," if we can put it like that: the "right," or at least the longing and hope, to have a peaceful, stable, secure, and caring place to live, to be, to learn, and to flourish.

I think that the author's point could be well supported by a few vestiges of this ideal portrayed in our media of recent decades: The Andy Griffith Show, Little House on the Prairie, Christy, the miniseries, It's a Wonderful Life and Pollyanna to name a few. All of these shows depict a delight in home life and a down-home form of neighborly kindness. I'm sure there are a few more modern examples of strong, functional family units, but I am drawing a blank. (If you think of any, please post a comment.) I suppose my realization this evening is that if I want to have a happy home throughout my life, I will not find my inspiration in the culture around me. Nevertheless, I will remain a hopeful idealist, seeking the goodness and mercy of the Lord for my everyday life.

Here is the last bit of Wright's thoughts on the matter:

Once again people ask the question: Why is it like this? Does it have to be like this? Can things be put to rights, and if so how? Can the world be rescued? Can we be rescued?
And once again we find ourselves asking: Isn't it odd that it should be like that? Isn't it strange that we should all want things to be put to rights but can't seem to do it? And isn't the oddest thing of all that I, myself, know what I ought to do but often don't do it?

I suppose I have a choice everyday to seek truth and walk in rightness. We can even walk forward together. Let's go.

A few weeks ago, I returned home to find a package addressed to myself. It was from an old friend I hadn't seen in years. She sent me a book called At the Master's Feet by Charles Spurgeon. I had never read anything of his, but the daily readings have been very encouraging and challenging. I will share the April 14 entry with you today:

While they were stoning him, Stephen prayed, "Lord Jesus, receive my spirit." Then he fell on his knees and cried out, "Lord, do not hold this sin against them." When he had said this, he fell asleep. Acts 7:59-60

Certain tender hearts are not only surprised, but daunted and grieved by the world's opposition. Gentle, loving spirits, who would not oppose anybody if they could help it, keenly feel the wanton assaults of those whom they would rather please than provoke. The sensitiveness of love renders the choicest characters the most susceptible to pain under cruel opposition, especially when it comes from beloved kinsfolk. To those who love God and man, it is at times an agony to be compelled to appear as the cause of strife, even for Christ's sake.

He is most like God who loves most, and he has come nearest to the image of Christ whose heart is fullest of tenderness-the rougher spirits turn out to be rather dwarfs than giants in the kingdom of God. We must have backbone and must be prepared to contend earnestly for the faith; but yet, the more love we exhibit the better, and hence the more pain it will cost us to be continually at war with unloving spirits. This is a part of the tribulation we must endure; and the more bravely we face it, the more thoroughly shall we win the battles of peace and purity.

I suppose if we are to live life feeling the goodness and joy of love, we must also be prepared to feel the pain, sometimes agony of life as well. Sometimes it is tempting to just work, be nice, but develop 'thick skin' if you will. It is easier to hold people in contempt or ignore them than to love them as they are doing something that may hurt or disappoint you.

So, after reading this passage this morning, it helps me consider how this Ephesians verse really can be true of my life.

Be imitators of God, therefore, as dearly loved children and live a life of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God. Ephesians 5:1-2