tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2514529524983639875.post4919739668593312607..comments2024-02-12T09:56:09.053-05:00Comments on The Matador Word: September 15 Homily PrepThe Matadorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15691990950873810610noreply@blogger.comBlogger3125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2514529524983639875.post-86669656090600920522013-09-14T13:54:23.460-04:002013-09-14T13:54:23.460-04:00This really hits home for me on several levels. Bo...This really hits home for me on several levels. Boy, was *I* LOST! Fortunately, through time spent in chapel, I know I've been found once again and it's truly joyful!<br />I do tend to still be a bit afraid in "trusting" in The Father's love for me, but I'm working on it and learning--always learning. Having had a Prodigal Daughter situation in our family, I sure can relate to the father of these sons. A human parent loves unconditionally all their children, just as I'm beginning to take in that God The Father does no matter what they've done and there is joy and celebration when they return. I GET THIS! :-)<br />Without continued prayer and reading of Scripture, I find it's easy for me to get "lost" yet again. With God's Grace, I now see to be only a little lost. :-)Margarethttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01180047843714833028noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2514529524983639875.post-14980704607334305122013-09-14T07:39:30.730-04:002013-09-14T07:39:30.730-04:00I'm right there with Anon1 ... lost and then R...I'm right there with Anon1 ... lost and then REALIZING I'm lost ...conversely, found, and then realizing I'm found not knowing I'm lost! It seems such a win-win situation, though, that I don't despair as I used to over my (or others) sins/faults/weaknesses because I keep learning & understanding & growing in the fact that God uses ALL of it to bring me/us around. Amazing Grace!JoyFurallenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2514529524983639875.post-34205146797887493552013-09-13T21:12:16.408-04:002013-09-13T21:12:16.408-04:00It's probably fair to say that I'm always ...It's probably fair to say that I'm always at least a little lost - but sometimes I'm more aware of it than others. Sometimes something will happen, or something will come to my attention that will prompt me to realize the degree to which I am lost - or found. For instance, I recently read the book Mother Teresa's Secret Fire, and it made me realize that I was not "taking in" the extent of God's love for us/for me. I don't suppose one can ever fully take it in - it is beyond our understanding. But truly, I hadn't given the extent of His love for me the depth of realization that I could reach. Since that reading, it has been a focus of my prayer and it has changed me. I have reached a new level of being found - found in God's love. It strikes me that this is similar to the older brother in the Prodigal Son parable. It appears he hadn't even realized how lost he was. It took his jealousy of his younger brother to cause him to express his misery. It exposed his brokenness. That is the odd "gift" of sin and weakness. It can wake us up to our flaws and inadequacies and coax us to turn to God - the source of strength and light - with whom we hope to one day remain forever.Anon 1noreply@blogger.com