March 21, 2009

Read Romans 6:12-23.

Since we're free in the freedom of God, can we do anything that comes to mind? Hardly. You know well enough from your own experience that there are some acts of so-called freedom that destroy freedom.-Romans 6:15-16 (The Message)

Four years ago, Leon’s father’s growing dementia and worsening medical condition forced us to make a choice between maintaining our own agendas and lifestyle or taking responsibility for his care. With many misgivings, we moved Dad Waxer to Missouri. The ensuing chaotic months brought late-night phone calls from the nursing home concerning anything from needs for foot powder to exploding toilets, the unmasking of decades-old family tensions, and significant disruptions to carefully-laid work and school plans. We also discovered a grandfather who delighted in our newborn son, an artist who enjoyed sketching portraits of new friends, and a free spirit who would discuss his latest political theories with anyone who would listen. Had we held onto our old freedoms, we would have missed a transformation from family as a source of burden and obligation to family as a formidable source of strength, grace, and love.

Suscipe (St. Ignatius of Loyola) Take, Lord, and receive all my liberty, my memory, my understanding and my entire will. All I have and call my own, you have given all to me. To you, Lord, I return it. Everything is yours; do with it what you will. Give me only your love and your grace. That is enough for me.

The Waxer-Nagasakos (Leon, Elna, and Ethan) enjoy visiting coffee shops, having playdates with friends, and keeping their cat Spot happy and fat.