The week started with thoughts about Sunday School. The lesson tomorrow morning is intended to be about Acts 5 27-32, and so some of my time this week has been spent reflecting on and trying to prepare to speak with children about that. As I'm preparing, I like to try to work out which virtue is most strongly represented in the story we are meant to focus on. In this story, we hear how Peter and the other apostles respond when they are told they should not teach about Jesus. They were given strict orders not to speak out anymore, after Jesus himself was crucified for doing so, and yet they still chose to tell people about Jesus. I suppose these men had amazing CONFIDENCE in order to do that.
As the week marched on, next I learned about the passing of an amazing woman in our community, Jennie. As I read her story, I realized that this woman was a role model of CONFIDENCE for me. She once told me that I could become President of our local Women's Institute group, which before saying that I would never have dreamed I could do, and with her encouragement I actually went on to do that. I now teach Sunday School as well, as I have learned she once did, and there are other activities in her life story that I feel connected to as well. I will be forever grateful for her presence in my life, as she gave me CONFIDENCE that even a woman like me in a small community can make a difference in this crazy world that we live in.
Of course, my CONFIDENCE has been shaken at times as well this week, but I think that also has led to some personal development. Stories of friends and family passing have become very common in this past year. This week alone, three friends have each lost parents, and another friend lost her brother. This has left me quiet and reflective, especially today as it's been such a dark and rainy day. I recall that, when visiting a friend at a funeral home a few years ago... I cried so much the poor soul on the receiving end probably did not want me anywhere near there. However I reflect now that, as my faith in what cannot be seen has grown in recent years, as I have watched people like Jennie approach life, I have strengthened CONFIDENCE now - I feel I can cope with whatever happens, and so no longer have a breakdown when I visit a funeral home. Tonight I visited a friend and even managed to smile in her presence in the funeral home! I truly admire her CONFIDENCE as she is receiving each visitor tonight in her time of grief.
One more example from this week before I close this post... My daughter was an entrant in a Music Festival competition. In the traditional folk song class, my daughter sang solo and unaccompanied! That too was a great example of CONFIDENCE this week, and she did very well, too! Just now, I was reminded as well in Facebook that my son also competed in the festival six years ago and did very well. My children are growing up with a great deal of CONFIDENCE, and so I feel gratitude for this!
All this to say, I am grateful for the gift of CONFIDENCE, and hope you also feel some CONFIDENCE as you proceed into the coming week, too!
