We had dinner with our friends Graeme and Kate Young the other day, it was nice to catch up with them. Graeme is probably one of the most ‘experienced’ Christians I know, if that is indeed a catergory distinction and is one of the few Christian ministers who has taken seriously and continues to explore Jesus’ statement in Luke 18:
16But Jesus called the children to him and said, "Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these.
Graeme has currently been working on a commentary on Luke which should be a very interesting read, he descibed it as a commentary which works the same way as the old Children’s encylopedia, completely accesible for Children (above 8) but still containing the truth and facts of the things it is explaining. Graeme does a great job at presenting childrens resources which aren’t like so much other material, watered down and patronising, his website is here, although it could maybe do with some stylistic updates there is some great stuff on there and Graeme’s resources are superb.
The Youngs have shared with us in some rough times over the past few years and when we came in, on the table were copies of this:
People are often unreasonable, illogical, and self-centered;
Forgive them anyway.
If you are kind, people may accuse you of selfish, ulterior motives;
Be kind anyway.
If you are successful, you will win some false friends and some true enemies;
Succeed anyway.
If you are honest and frank, people may cheat you;
Be honest and frank anyway.
What you spend years building, someone could destroy overnight;
Build anyway.
If you find serenity and happiness, they may be jealous;
Be happy anyway.
The good you do today, people will often forget tomorrow;
Do good anyway.
Give the world the best you have,
and it may never be enough;
Give the world the best you’ve got anyway.
You see, in the final analysis,
it is between you and God;
It was never between you and them anyway.
I was really encouraged to read it, it renews the call to live for Jesus not for men or the praises of men, and it echoes Matthew 25:40 – ‘I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.’
Hopefully this will centre your focus today as it did mine when I read it.
2 responses so far ↓
1 Clare Young aka Miss Young // May 10, 2008 at 11:17 pm
Can I just be a little smug and say, “They’re my parents!” You know that obviously but I was so proud to see them talked of so lovingly in your blog.
Was just going to leave you a congratulations note on getting engaged to the most beautiful, friendly, God fearing, cheerful girl I know. She’s one of my oldest friends so you better look after her!
2 Liam Byrnes // May 12, 2008 at 11:42 am
Claire! Thanks for the comment, yes you can certainly feel free to claim your parents! Thanks for the Congrats, and Ill do my best! Always nice to hear from you when you drop by my blog. Liam