Wizened Attitudes Learn Anew

He is a very young pastor, an animated storyteller, and a longtime fan of Super Heroes. With this in mind, I approached the sermon series that he led on this topic with an indulgent attitude. An attitude of “I’m old enough to be your mother” and “I’m many decades past this interest” kind of indulgence. 

Over the three weeks of sermons I’ve laughed deep chest laughter during his telling of Super Hero lore. I have. More to the point, my generational ‘wait and see’ attitude has been impressed.  The teaching points have been solid and they’ve touched deep cords of my soul’s need. 

This young pastor suggests that humanity’s fascination with the legend of a Super Hero is likened to what we think we want God to be; accessible on demand, super powered, and avenging. Yes, we would like that. However, that would likely also be a hero inclined to grandeur, narcissism, and anger.

Our Lord Jesus embodied very different attributes. Our Lord teaches the value of very different characteristics.  Our God wants us to be loving, self sacrificing, humble and to wait on His timing. He wants to be in touch with us moment by moment in praise and prayer; not just in our hour of need. Our Lord pursues forgiveness and restoration before vengence. 

You shall not take vengeance, nor bear any grudge against the sons of your people, but you shall love your neighbor as yourself; I am the Lord. 

Lev. 19:18 NIV

Yes, the young pastor caught the attention of my wizened attitudes. So I sat up straighter and let the Lord wash these reminders across my heart.

Love is Faith in Promises

Fragile, dusty pink, winter rosebud still symbolizes promises of  endearing love. 

I moved off to the side, out of range of the computer mounted camera. Really, just to let the young babes focus on their daddy [projected on the screen] and on their mama hovering about, prompting their participation in this precious online interchange. 

For the twin babes it was lunch time; PB&J diced up nicely on the trays before them. For dad, well it was late in the night for him; half way 'round the other side of the world. But he snacks too, just to be insinc with the family meal.

Their mama prompted the babes for waves of hello, patty cake claps, and narrated recent events of toddler life. Both parents began a rendition of a favorite nursery rhyme pausing pointedly... knowing their twin-duo would chime in with gusto for the refrain...E,I,E,I,O-O-O! Thrilled applause all around. 

The children 'converse' with daddy. It's a back and forth, sing-song, toddler babble of the highest seriousness. Dad leans in close to the camera, eye to eye with "his boys"; encouraging, responding in kind. 

From the sidelines, I had not expected to be so... moved. Truly it was a precious tribute to the faith these parents had in their marriage and their family despite the challenges of long separation. 

It was a mirrored reflection of our relationship with God.

Relationships often languish with absence, unless there is a commitment, a vow, a promise. Relationships often languish unless there is trust and faith in the other. Faith that promises will be honored. Faith that promises will be lived out.

In marriage there is a promise to love and honor even when we are separated by multiple longitudes and an unknown expanse of time. In marriage there is faith that our beloved will live out the vows that were made.

In marriage we emulate God’s relationship with us and His promise to us of eternal love and care.

Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her... Ephesians 5:25

Joining Jennifer and the February writing project on Marriage over here...

and linking with Ann and those honoring marriage here...