Egyházi Értesítő, 1990 (314-325. szám)
1990-03-01 / 316. szám
PRAISE THE LORD. PRAISE THE LORD, FOR THE LORD IS GOOD; SING TO HIS NAME, FOR HE IS GRACIOUS! (Psalm 135:3)« Does God really need our praises? Not really! Does a father really need the praises of his children? Not really! What then, is the point of praise? A father may not need the praises of his children, yet he would be a rare one if his heart were not warmed by them. Spontaneous praise is the recognition of something good,something precious,some superb quality, something that the one uttering the praise acknowledges as important and deeply signif cant. A simple 'You are the best daddy in the world' on the lips of a child, will no doubt make the father happy, but will not really alter him or his relationship to his child« The real gain is the child's. The quality in the father that called forth the praise was there long before the cchild recognised it. It influenced and benefited the child without any thought of return or need for recognition. But when the child does notice, and is able to express it in thanks and praise, there is a deepening of the child's relationship vrith its father. The child has discovered that his father is better, more reliable, more fun, than it had ever imagined. The idea of spending time with, being listened to, comforted by, such a father is sheer, but not inexpressible joy. The reaction is spontaneous -and sincere; the praise and its acceptance by the. father give at least as much pleasure to the child as to the father, and the child gains immeasurable from its maturing confi'ence in its parent. Are we not children of God? 'Praise the Lord.' Let's never make that wonderful expression of praise into a cliche. Daily we behold the greatness of God in ^nature, in man's amazing talents, in goodness that refuses to be corrupted, in the comfort that appears miraculously when least expected, in a word of inspired wisdom - but, above all, in Jesus the Word who became man that we might get to know the Father. When moments of special recognition come to you, praise him with all your heart. He will smile, and you will be richly blessed. Praise the Lord, for the Lord is good; sing to his name, for he is gracious! Amen. Egyházi Értesitő. 1*f 1990 március hó
