Friday’s thoughts
In the 14th Chapter of the Gospel of John we find these words:
Jesus said, “These things I have spoken to you, while I am still with you. But the Counselor, the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom God will send in my name, will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you.”
Some people have a clear sense of the Holy Spirit. There is a power in their lives that is as real as anything else they know, and it is decisive and strong. Some people will tell you their lives are directed by the Holy Spirit and it is an intimation of the Will of God.
Other people have no awareness of such a thing. They may wish for it but they do not experience it. They may appreciate that other people understand it but they have nothing in their lives that compares to it.
I think there are two areas in every person’s life that can be the equivalent to the Holy Spirit impulse expressed by very religious people. If we have a mother who was a nurturing and caring person, we have an Advocate like that which was spoken of in the Gospel of John.
If we have not had a nurturing and caring mother that doesn’t mean we have no awareness of this. I am convinced every person has an advocate in their lives. For some it is a loving mother. For those who have not had a loving mother, or father there is a mentor. There is someone who has been a caring presence. Maybe it is a teacher who believed in us when no one else did. Maybe it was a sibling who stood up for us when a good word was needed. Maybe it is a spouse who learned to believe in us and helped us learn to have confidence in ourselves.
We all have an advocate. Hopefully, for many of us it was our mother and on Mother’s Day we pause to say, “Thank you”. If not our mother, on this Mother’s Day we will spend some time thinking about the people who have been important to us and through whom, the Holy Spirit has come.
Who has been your advocate?
If you have thoughts about this write me at charlesschuster@fcfumc.net. If you are willing to share your thoughts click on the “comments” box. I will get to read them as will others. I look forward to hearing from you.
Charles
