A young man gets intense and discouraged over correct response to moral and practical issues. He’s the head in his new marriage, so he feels the pressure to perform.But life is full of grey areas and the grain of what matters can be fine or coarse.
Age seems to give a buffer of phlegmatism that needs balancing against any creeping cynicism.
Don’t panic, young man. It’s not the end of the world (yet).
A young man prone to lying and losing his rag has said a penitent sorry several times. He is in prison currently. Can he change?
A less young man had father wounds both natural and pastoral. It’s made him ill, and at times unreasonable. Can he change?
Many will leap to say that grace can change anyone. Well how does that apply to personality disorder, mental damage or obtained habits? We have to live with most physical problems after all – or is it just our lack of faith?
A young man is called, apostolically and by God, to move from our congregation to a vital work elsewhere. Picking up the pieces has been a classic story of group decision making that I have tried to orchestrate.
Urgent meeting called, options eliminated leaving only one, so consult further with affected parties. Rejected option revived as it is preferred, further consultations. More drawbacks surface, but constructive views emerge. Back to another failed option, and we may be getting close to a solution, but of course not without pain. Young men will have to grow, which can’t be bad.
I find young men have a lot to learn, and don’t we all?
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