Do you remember when you were a child and you didn't want to eat your vegetables?  You would move them around on the plate to make it look as if you had eaten some of them.  Perhaps some would "accidently" fall to the floor only to be gobbled up by the dog.  Though you knew the answer before you asked, you would sheepishly inquire, "Do I have to eat my vegetables?"  "Yes," your parents would respond. "Why?" you asked.  And then here it comes, "Because they're good for you."  Not exactly what you wanted to hear.  You really didn't care if they were good for you.  You still prefer ice cream over Brussels sprouts.

This is a rather a common parent and child exchange.  And the tried and true parental response, "Because it's good for you," has stood the test of time.  To tell you the truth, I never really cared for that explanation, but now as a parent I find myself using it.  Brush your teeth, go to bed, study hard, turn off the TV and read a book, use good manners. Eat your vegetables.The list goes on, and why?  Because it's good for you.

Even as an adult, this same scenario plays out in my mind.  Sometimes, maybe more than I care to admit, there are things I don't "feel" like doing. But, it's exactly what I should be doing.  And why?  Because it's good and good for me. 

This week I came across a wonderful quote by Julian of Norwich, a 14^th century English mystic.  Pray inwardly, even if you don't enjoy it.  It does good, though you feel nothing.  Yes, even though you think you are doing nothing. Pray even if you don't feel anything.  Why?  Because it's good to do.   It's good for you. 

At times we don't want to pray, we don't want to worship, we don't want to be still, we don't want to serve, we don't want to confess, we don't want to forgive, we don't want to give, we don't want to - you name it.  But, Julian says - do it.  Do it, not because it's good for God, not because it's good for humanity, nor because God requires it.  Do it simply because it's good.  Good for our souls.   It's good for us.  That's it.  That's enough.

Paul+

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• In the George Thomas room, greet one another in fellowship for relaxing conversation