Several times in recent weeks, I’ve found myself getting Christa’s attention so that, together, we can relish moments of peace, quiet and sweetness with our boys. It sounds cheesy, but what I mean is, Jackson (5) and Max (2), have reached ages where they play well together almost as often as they scream and bicker, disrupt and destroy the aforementioned peace and quiet, I long for.
For example, I’ll walk by Jackson’s room and find him looking quietly through a book, explaining something to his little brother. They also share toys and pretend well together for extended periods of time. Max has even been known to cry out for Jackson, instead of Mommy or Daddy, when he’s upset about something. All of this brotherly love seems to have been a long time coming. And, while I realize it hasn’t blossomed in all its fullness, I’ll take whatever of it I can get.
As people of faith, there are many reasons why we call ourselves “children of God.” It’s easy to see why that may grow out of a penchant for bickering, fighting and our other childish ways. But I think it has a lot to do, too, with our need to be reminded about how loved and adored we are by our Maker.
Over the last few weeks and months at Cross of Grace, we’ve had some pretty holy conversation and dialogue in response to recent ELCA decisions about human sexuality and the Church. Some of those conversations have been challenging. Much of that dialogue has been hard. I think I can say faithfully, though, that all of it has encouraged those of us who engaged it to grow up and to grow even more fully into our role as God’s children.
Just like Jackson and Max make me smile so often these days, I believe God smiles to see us poring over Scripture together, asking questions and sharing ideas and insights about what we find there. I believe God smiles to see us sharing ourselves – our feelings, fears, concerns and joys – honestly, generously and with grace. And I’m certain God smiles to see us leaning on each other, comforting each other, encouraging each other and loving one another in the face of difficult days.
Just like Jackson and Max, I know there is so much more learning and growing and becoming for all of us as brothers and sisters in Christ. My prayer and deep hope for 2010 – and all the years to come – is that Cross of Grace will be a safe, sacred place for that sort of growth to bloom and that through it all we’ll be a witness to the world about the grace of God that holds us together.
Happy New Year,
+Mark
