• Home
  • About
  • Blog
  • Ministry in Media
  • Ministry of Reconciliation
  • Ministry of Presence
  • Events
  Arthur Rouner Ministries

ARTHUR ROUNER MINISTRIES

Listening to the Children

11/20/2019

0 Comments

 
When our children were young and growing up, Molly and I made a practice of every Monday night taking one of our five children out for supper - so they could "get a word in edgewise," and so we could hear their hearts, and concentrate on each one, one at a time.  We loved those times together.

But now our five are all mature adults, and they have busy lives of their own - even children of their own to attend to.  Or, at least lives of hard work, and busy schedules.

We wait for celebration times, to be together. Birthdays. Easter. Thanksgiving. Christmas.

But today an invitation came, "out of the blue."  "Could Dad have coffee with me at Starbucks this afternoon, about 2:00?" the message came from a daughter, through her mother, by phone.

Well, of course.  What an honor.  My daughter asking me, for a date.  No agenda.  Just coffee and conversation.

We did meet for 2-1/2 hours, to talk a little bit about everything.   About times of change in life.  About decisions.  About church.  And, about life outside of church.  In the world - the world of need.

She wanted to expand.  To see more.  More people.  More conditions of life.  She wanted to understand more.  Maybe help more.

We talked of faith.  And, calling.  I told a little of my struggling to understand the new stage of my life.

My child and I, sitting together, talking of life, being direct.  Helping each other.  Sharing what we knew.  Learning from each other.  Such an exciting exchange.  It made my day.  Indeed, much more than my day.

Could we do it again?  Could I get an hour - or two - to do the same with each of my children?

I realize there is much I can yet learn from them.  And, though they know much of what I think about, and care about, and have tried to stand for, my listening to them with new ears might be a way to encourage them, to help them still, as they, like I, endeavor to navigate new stages in life, especially in these changing times.

Surely, that is what Jesus did, with His nearest and dearest friends.  He looked at the world around, and at God above, and told them what He saw, and what He believed was true.

Perhaps these are days for us all to try to find ways to see the same.

​Bless you, friends.

0 Comments



Leave a Reply.

    Author

    Arthur A Rouner, Jr -
    Minister, Author, Leader of Forgiveness and Reconciliation Retreats, Minister of "Presence"

    Archives

    March 2021
    February 2021
    January 2021
    December 2020
    November 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016

    Categories

    All

    RSS Feed

 All this is from God, who reconciled us to Himself through Christ, and has given us the ministry of reconciliation. . ."
                                                                    2 Corinthians 5:18

Contact Us

>    Call the Faith Line for a daily message:  952-946-7987   <                                                                                    
  • Home
  • About
  • Blog
  • Ministry in Media
  • Ministry of Reconciliation
  • Ministry of Presence
  • Events