Thought for the Week 24 September 2023

A few days ago my mother shared with me a passage from scripture that she had been given years ago, and then found again when she was given her great-grandmother’s Bible:

Trust in the Lord with all your heart
and lean not on your own understanding;
in all your ways submit to him,
and he will make your paths straight. – Proverbs 3:5-6
In a similar way my father was given an Anglican Prayer book to commemorate QEII’s coronation and his first communion. On the inside cover, his mother had inscribed the following prayer:

Defend O Lord
this thy child
with thy heavenly grace
that he may continue thine forever
And daily increase in the Holy Spirit
more and more until he comes
into thy everlasting Kingdom
Amen

I wonder if we realise how far reaching, and influential these small things can be in the lives of our families? Echoing through lives and generations. Our mothers, our grandmothers, our sisters and friends: truly Wisdom is a woman’s name.

This weekend I am on retreat at Sister Eveleen house in Sumner – another blessed gift – I am seeking wisdom and refreshment for my soul as I head off on study leave in a few days time.

As you go through the coming week, I encourage you to reflect on the small and significant ways that the women in your life have been a blessing and a gift to you in your spiritual journey.

Nga manaakinui,

Rory