A simple, yet complex question for today. As I sat trying to silence my mind in the midst of a busy week, a question kept coming back to me and I knew why. I was finally compelled to get up off my comfortable couch and come to the computer to write this. Who can you live life with in an honest relationship with no fear or retribution or heavy-handed judgment?
Seldom do you find that where you should: in church relationships.
There are several things that I think God wants me to accomplish at LRC and in my life. Being a person anyone can feel SAFE with is a key goal. Providing a church-community atmosphere were you can feel it’s okay to make mistakes (I even encourage them: read mistakes to help you learn) and not be frowned on is elementary. Doing things that are illegal, sinful, and just plain self-destructive will not get you ex-communicated, but rather prayed for and helped.
Don’t confuse love, empathy, and true soul care for somehow condoning bad behavior. There’s no suggestion that it’s okay to hurt others or self by deceptive or self-serving behaviors.
I don’t think I am alone when I say that too often my experience in church life, both before being on the “inside”, and now, has shown that guilt is compounded by more guilt. I’ve found few who feel good about doing bad things. There are truly evil people in this world, but I’ve known few. Most people are looking for a helping hand to get back on their feet, not a judgmental slap across the face for being such a stupid reprobate. Aren’t friends made for difficult times? Why is is harder to cut someone some slack than it is just to cut them out of our lfie?
But, back to the reason I’m away from my meditation time to write this.
Who can you be FREE with? Who can you TRUST and feel SAFE that no matter what you do, you’ll not be abandoned? If you do not have at least a couple of people that fit that description could it be because YOU are not that way with anyone else? Isn’t it true that to HAVE friends, you must first BE a friend? If you can’t be SAFE with someone, could it be because others can’t be SAFE with you? Shouldn’t there be at least a few who “stick closer than a brother” in all of our lives?
Is what you’re missing in life because you’re not being, giving it?
Are you feeling unloved (therefore the answer is)? What will you change today? NOW!
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