{RE:} Restored Relationships

John Beverley write an incredible book called

"The Bait of Satan". What is that bait according to Bevere? In one word"offense". When we take offense to God or another person, we have chomp down on Satan's bait and we are hooked. By the Holy Spirit, we must not let offense enter into our lives. I think of Jesus' first words from the cross,"Father forgive them, for they know not what they do." Lest we think it is only Jesus who can do this, consider The Deacon Steven who in his final breath asks God not to hold the sin his murderers are committing against them. We must die to self and allow the fresh pure water of the Spirit to flow through us. I believe it is Paul who says,

"Insofar as it depends on you, be at peace with all people." In my life, I have had many restored

Honestly, as I venture into the Passion of Easter, in my place on earth, I relate more to the beatitudes than I do to Paul and a vision of recreating Eden. In a post pandemic society where my daughter has nowhere to go to create meaning in her life because day programs can't hire enough staff because former workers make more doing "gig work" now. Where leaders of local churches don't want to talk about an inclusion ministry because they question my love of Jesus because of my support of interfaith collaboration, and where members of the congregation openly admit they haven't had a new family join in years and question why a divorced mom of a young adult daughter wants to join their church. I can't imagine Eden when I know families like mine are isolated and struggling to recreate a meaningful community here on earth. THIS Easter season, I'm hoping for a deeper connection to others: " For Jonathan Pennington, it's crucial to grasp that the Sermon on the Mount is oriented not only toward some ultimate salvation lying on the horizon but also toward the cultivation of wisdom in the here and now. The "blessings" of the Beatitudes-the macarisms, as he calls them, based on the Greek word makarios that Jesus uses-are descriptions of what it looks like to be living well in the present. Thus "flourishing" ...". (Matthew 5-7, The Sermon on the Mount and Human Flourishing). Peace be with you.

I have never thought about l restoring "Eden relationships". But as we come closer to God, I can see that we are bringing us closer to the relationship which God wanted with mankind. I suppose that it is really what I wanted all along but just did not know it. As I speak to God in prayer, I have begun to talk more to him like "my daddy". And as I do so, I can envision him relating to me as "his daughter". To be honest, I have difficulty seeing how I can relate to God as far as relationships with the world, nature, etc. But this scripture has led me to see that perhaps God wants me to expand my relationship with the world. Oh daddy God, show me what I should do to expand my relationships in this world. In my limited capacities, show me how I can be a daughter to the world as well as to you. I love you daddy God, And I know you love me too.

Thinking out loud... How often do broken relationships, both on the micro and macro levels, rely on power? So much of my own struggle with other people, especially in the family, had been my desire to run things, to decide how things ought to be done. But healthy relationship is a community experience, not a hierarchical experience. I've gotten really good at developing this in my work, my classroom, but still struggle with it in my home.

And at the macro level--i honestly believe that everyone evil in society can be traced to the desire for power. Even in the church, as Teri describes her heartbreaking experience, people want to stay in their place of status, and likely don't want to try new things or welcome new people because maybe there will be a shifting of the pecking order.

God, help me to be gracious in making room for others to have a voice and a place.

I think the area I have grown in the most in the last 10 years is having a better idea of what it means to be restored in relationship with God. It seems odd to say 30 years into what I would call my Christian life, since "having a personal relationship with God" is such a catch-phrase that I would have agreed with from the very beginning. But to live it is different (and one I am still figuring out). I would say obedience and "doing" characterized more of my earlier years.

I appreciate the question "How do you think about God?" because I think this helps capture what's in our hearts. Too often "a strict dad or someone waiting to catch you messing up" fits the bill. That might produce respect or fear, but not true restoration. I would like to make the alternative more personal--"a being that longs to be connected with you" still feels a bit other-worldly. I loved the picture in Kaitlyn's sermon on the everlasting father--the dad who wants to be the first one you call no matter what trouble you are in. Or how about the bridegroom gazing down the aisle for the bride he can't wait to be married to? Love that never gives up. That's what I'm slowly beginning to truly believe. I'm still waiting for it to transform me to the point that my love for others looks a tiny bit like that.