Been there done that!

Readings for reflection for Sunday February 5th 2012: Epiphany 5 - Isa 40:21-31, Psalm 147:1-11; 1Cor 9:16-23; Mark 1:29-39

I always find Jesus' encounter with Peter's mother-in-law 
a bit shocking.
How men so often presume 
on the generosity of women,
not even recognising 
that they are not well,
and just assuming 
that they do what they are told.
They have obviously never lived 
with the 4 sisters, 
or the 3 daughters
that I have been blessed with
in my gifted life.
None of whom have done what they are told!!!

But I think there are some points in this story
that we overlook:
Jesus heals
 so that we might live our lives 
with better quality
not so that we might continue to moan 
about being sick.
We are healed 
so that we can continue living
and so we should not be surprised
when a sick woman gets healed
and gets on with her life!

Nor do I think 
that we should overlook that 
Jesus heals 
even when the sickness 
seems to us
to be minor.
I never understand people who say
"Don't pray for me, 
there are others who are more needy"
As if there is only so much to go round.
This story 
at least 
might tell us that
God's concern 
is not just with 99% sickness
and maybe 
we should be more faithful 
in bringing 
even small matters
to God 
for healing.
THIS WEEKIs there somewhere 
we have been healed, forgiven, 
reconciled 
where we haven't actually 
appropriated that gift? 
Have we chosen to remain sick 
when we are actually healed?We don't need to play games, but nor do we need to lack faith.

Are there some areas of our life 
that we think are not important enough 
for God's care?
Do we maybe even consider 
that we are not important enough 
for God's grace?Pray to trust God in all things great and small!