Today’s post and the accompanying photos 
are about a trending topic — Motivation.
From Russian President Vladimir Putin’s troop movement into Ukraine to the punches thrown by a leading NCAA basketball coach, the same question emerges. What motivated these incidents ?
But perhaps more to the point —-What does all this have to do with us, oldest daughters and the posted photo?
Here’s the back story, pun intended.
A few weeks ago the parish where I worship invited a group of artisans from a divided, disputed part of the Holy Land to sell their artwork in the church narthex, aka vestibule. Motivation: helping Palestinian-Christian craftspersons support themselves.
As I passed by one of the display tables, a small figurine caught my eye. It depicted the Gospel story of Joseph walking alongside Mary, astride a donkey, cradling the infant Jesus. Motives? Fleeing to Egypt to escape King Herod’s order to slay all male babies under the age of two and so remove a threat to his throne.
One evening while showing my purchased piece of carved art to a friend, I turned the olive-wood sculpture around and saw a detail on the back side, but hidden on the front — 
Joseph’s right arm wrapped tight around Mary, making sure she was securely seated on their journey. Tender evidence of his protection motive.
I’v recently been taking the figurine from a shelf in my family room, turning it around, looking again at its two sides. As I run my fingers over its satiny smoothness, I find myself motivated to consider:
- What could I be missing if I only give a passing glance to what’s going on in the lives of my siblings?
- What tone of voice comes across when I speak or write to them? Do I sound caring or (eek!) like an oldest daughter who has all the answers?
- How would everyone concerned benefit if I explored my own motivations?
Bottom-line: What’s behind the judgments I make and the actions I take?
