-
August 11, 2017As I watch my grown children become increasingly independent, I am reminded of myself at a younger age. It seems like two things were very important to me: independence and justice...or at least my version of justice. "It isn't fair!" was one of my favorite sayings. As a student in graduate school, I remember pleading with my professor to allow me to do extra credit to bring my sole "B" up to an "A." After all, he had given extra credit to a student who was failing. After several faxes to him....yes, this was in the 90s...he basically told me to "Get over it." As a high school teacher, I always had that one student who came to me begging for half of a point to bring her grade up to the next letter. If I did it for her, I added half a point to every other student's average as well. I had to be fair. My daughter told me once that she never felt like I had a "favorite" among my children. She felt that I always treated them the same way.
As my children grew older, so did their challenges. I always tried to help them in the best way I could. I learned that this meant sometimes giving more attention (or money) to one over the others. My mom says that "the one who needs you the most is your favorite at that time." Reflecting on this makes me think about God's love and mercy. I believe that because God is love, He can love us and give us everything that we need at the moment we need it. So, it might look like God is loving someone more than others. It may seem like God is answering the prayers of others more quickly or more completely than our own. It is helpful for me to remember that God is a parent with unconditional love for each of his children. His mercy and his love fills up the need that I have for it in my own heart. The more that I need Him, the more I can receive from Him. I'm rather in awe of this vastness and depth of God's love and mercy.
I look forward to the day when my children will have children of their own. I know that each of their children will be their "favorite" and mine, too. But most importantly, they and we are always God's favorites.
For further reflection on God's love, watch Fr. Mike Schmitz's very engaging video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=7&v=kKWh0RL2UYQ
Aline Harbison
Associate Director Catechetical Leadership