DAILY MEDITATION: "Becoming Friends of Our Children" The Henri Nouwen Society in Toronto, Ontario, Canada for Monday, 26 March 2018

DAILY MEDITATION: "Becoming Friends of Our Children" The Henri Nouwen Society in Toronto, Ontario, Canada for Monday, 26 March 2018

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Can fathers and mothers become friends of their children? Many children leave their parents to find freedom and independence and return to them only occasionally. When they return they often feel like children again and therefore do not want to stay long. Many parents worry about children's well-being after they have left home. When their children visit they want to be caring parents again.
But a mother can also become the daughter of her daughter and a father the son of his son. A mother can become the daughter of her son and a father the son of his daughter. Father and mother become brother and sister of their own children, and they all can become friends. It doesn't happen often, but when it does happen it is as beautiful to watch as the dawn of a new day.

For further reflection..."Accept one another, then, just as Christ accepted you, in order to bring praise to God." (Romans 15: 7 (NIV))
Your response...
How have your own family relationships changed over time?Comment on this meditation.

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Text excerpts taken from Bread for the Journey, by Henri J.M. Nouwen, ©1997 HarperSanFrancisco. All Scripture from The Jerusalem Bible ©1966, 1967, and 1968 Darton, Longman & Todd and Doubleday & Co. Inc. Scripture chosen by L. Yeskoo.

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