Have you chosen to pass thru the narrow gate?

[Pilgrim525]

“Enter through the narrow gate…” (Mt 7:13)

My skills in driving was really tested when I used to drive my children to and from their school way back in 1992. I would pass through a two-lane street each time. Every afternoon I would experience difficulty in traversing that portion where the school was located because of the numerous vehicles parked on both sides of the street. It was really difficult especially because during that time there was no “one way” sign so vehicles were coming from all direction. I would drive very, very slowly, careful that I wouldn’t cause any dent on the other car or in my car. I knew that it was that particular experience that allowed me to master my driving.

It is the same in our spiritual journey. By choosing to pass thru the narrow gate, we are able to control and master our sensual appetites fairly well and thus end up better persons.

Have you chosen to pass thru the narrow gate?

God bless,
Nimfa

 

[Deacon_Tony560]

Great example. I think the children of this world especially in the U.S. have a lot more difficulty taking the narrow road today than in the past. May God bless and give strength to today’s parents that have to bring up kids in an atmosphere that shuns moral values.

 

[Pilgrim525]

Deacon Tony560:

Great example. I think the children of this world especially in the U.S. have a lot more difficulty taking the narrow road today than in the past. .

Would you say it’s because everything has become so easy to attain [instant this and instant that] and the idea or value of ‘sacrifice’ is not being inculcated in the youth anymore…

NImfa

 

[Deacon_Tony560]

Pilgrim525:

Would you say it’s because everything has become so easy to attain [instant this and instant that] and the idea or value of ‘sacrifice’ is not being inculcated in the youth anymore…

NImfa

I would say both. You bring up good points. This is the third lost generation. Some of the kids of today have moms and grandmothers who were into drugs. I minister at a prison that houses these moms and grandmothers. In the past, mom was the stable, moral, and religious force in the family. We have thousands of moms in our prison. What’s happening to these families? They cry often for their children, but in many cases it’s too late. Until the family unit recovers it’s former identity, we are in for difficult times.

 

[springbreeze]

Dear friend

I liked your analogy, this has been mine…

I have watched farmers lead their sheep into the dip. They all roame about and the farmer gently guides the sheep with their sticks and staffs, calls and clicks of the mouth, into a walled area next to a dipping vat (in the old days it used to be a walled area next to a river). The greatest difficulty is in getting the sheep to pass through the narrow opening into the walled area. The sheep seem more intent in wandering off on their own way not knowing that the walled area is necessary and the dipping vat is to their benefit. To the sheep it is a frighteningly small space when they have been used to the open field with no real restrictions…

Eventually one or two sheep will obey the farmer and go through the narrow opening, on seeing that a couple have passed through a good amount of the other sheep will also pass through the narrow opening, there are always the stragglers and the farmer has to go after them physically and almost shove them through the narrow gate. One or two the farmer has to restrain as they fight with him to get them to go through the gate. Some go absolutely beserk…some totally evade the opening even though they see the other sheep coming out the other side the better for it.

They ‘dipped’ come out the other side refreshed and leap about bleeting and playful, they then run free in the green pastures.

There is no other TRUE option but to take the Narrow Gate.

So it is with us and the Good Shepherd…trust Him enough to take the Narrow Gate, He leads us there for our benefit and for the good of His Good Name.

God Bless you and much love and peace to you

Teresa

 

[springbreeze]

You know, now I think about it, I was about 12 years old (that’s some years ago now! ) when I first saw a farmer lead his sheep to the dip and I recall thinking at the time…‘Stupid sheep, why don’t they just do what the farmer is asking them to do, it’s for their own good?’

‘Whatever He tells you to do, do it’

God Bless you and much love and peace to you

Teresa

 

[Pilgrim525]

springbreeze:

…I recall thinking at the time…‘Stupid sheep, why don’t they just do what the farmer is asking them to do, it’s for their own good?’
Teresa

Come to think of it… most of the time we are like the ‘stupid sheep’ whenever God brings us to the narrow gate - the Dark Nights, right?.

NImfa

 

[Pilgrim525]

Deacon Tony560:

In the past, mom was the stable, moral, and religious force in the family. .

Yes, I agree with you because moms in the past need not have to work outside of the home… they really had more time for the kids but it is not so now, I guess. They are forced to earn a living for economic reasons. In the Philippines for instance, many moms out of necessity need to go abroad to take care or look after others’ children while their own children lack maternal care. This is indeed very sad…

Nimfa

 

[Deacon_Tony560]

Pilgrim525:

Yes, I agree with you because moms in the past need not have to work outside of the home… they really had more time for the kids but it is not so now, I guess. They are forced to earn a living for economic reasons. In the Philippines for instance, many moms out of necessity need to go abroad to take care or look after others’ children while their own children lack maternal care. This is indeed very sad…

Nimfa

Very good point!