It is a virtue, right? It is one of the essentials for “right living, not so? The saying about patience that can endure so much comes from a poem by Dante (Paradiso Canto XXI – The Divine Comedy), written in the early 14th century. Without speaking Italian the words are almost comprehensible in the musical rhythm of his…
Tag: forgiveness
273. And then…
This past week, I received a lot of feedback on the last Pebbles about forgiveness. I shared what I had to go through myself. Some things had accumulated and built up. Thoughts multiplied, grew, and almost took on a whole life of their own. I know the teachings about forgiveness. Knowledge is nothing and helps nothing if it doesn’t take root in…
272. The whole caboodle
Evil comes in waves. It catches you off guard, like a rogue wave suddenly breaking through the rhythmic beat of the sea. The wave that sweeps your feet out from under you is a bundle of disappointment, insult, hurt, and rage. The sins of others in your life tear your heart apart in an instant with words that wound,…
233. Strategy for the Feast
It is the last days of November, and December with all the glitter and glam of Christmas is upon us. Our thoughts are filled with parties, events, family, friends, food and drink. We might even think of a few days away. All these things require planning, shopping and preparation. We will again, like every year, make the most of our…
177. I am bleeding
Life is unfair. Yes, yes, we all know it. It is such a well-known little platitude. Can nobody think of something original? As a matter of fact, no. Why not, you may ask? Well, since bitterness and inner pain is one of the oldest destructive forces on the face of the earth. It has been…
176. Anointed senses
We are only human, after all. Whatever we see, hear, taste, smell and feel makes a difference to our every day. We judge people and places based on our senses. We enjoy or reject in a split-second decision whatever and whoever we encounter because of what we sense physically, even before we can make a…
134. A lonely man, a dark night.
[John 18] Everything that takes place in the dark is different from anything in daylight. People getting together during the day are working or visiting for a quick word or two. Lunch parties are so essentially unlike dinner parties. The evening brings a certain relaxation, a time frame that could be stretched. These days dressing…
112. Free to face the world.
But You, O Lord, are a shield for me, My glory and the One who lifts up my head. (Psalms 3:3) The story of the woman caught in adultery is one of my favourite illustrations of grace, mercy and judgment and how it all works together in our favour when the world turns against us in all its cruelty and prejudice. It…
Pebbles of Perpetuity 