This morning's sermon invited us to consider our relationship to the triune God. Not only the father figure was addressed, but also Jesus, who we are in Him, by the Holy Spirit. Many references to family were made.
It's always been a bit tricky for me to recognize the Trinity in the context of family. The illustration is lost on me, perhaps because my own family, at least my historical family, consisted largely of women. Further, they're all dead!
Although I'm married now, with two sons to boot, the vast majority of my life was spent between a strong-willed mother and an obdurate grandmother. I'm an only child. My uncle, a fascinating man and a schizophrenic, completed suicide when I was eight; my time with him was far too short. And my grandfather, an entertaining but
It's always been a bit tricky for me to recognize the Trinity in the context of family. The illustration is lost on me, perhaps because my own family, at least my historical family, consisted largely of women. Further, they're all dead!
Although I'm married now, with two sons to boot, the vast majority of my life was spent between a strong-willed mother and an obdurate grandmother. I'm an only child. My uncle, a fascinating man and a schizophrenic, completed suicide when I was eight; my time with him was far too short. And my grandfather, an entertaining but
brow-beaten man was gone by the time I was ten. (My dad died when I was a baby.) So, when people begin to talk about brotherhood and the father's love, and when they make comparisons to earthly fathers and siblings, well... I just can't relate.
To me, men have always been a bit of a mystery. I am drawn to them, intrigued by them, many of my friends growing up were boys; I seemed to relate better to drums and skateboards than I did to make-up and baking.... or was that just a ploy to get closer to this strange gender I didn't have the luxury of observing up close in my own household? The males in my adult life are playful, or physical partners; I have no schema of a an a-sexual, dominant, loving family leader. The fathers I see on TV or in the movies seem plastic, surreal, missing a necessary element.
I wonder, can the fatherless come to understand a God who longs for us to see Him as our Father?
I hope so.
To me, men have always been a bit of a mystery. I am drawn to them, intrigued by them, many of my friends growing up were boys; I seemed to relate better to drums and skateboards than I did to make-up and baking.... or was that just a ploy to get closer to this strange gender I didn't have the luxury of observing up close in my own household? The males in my adult life are playful, or physical partners; I have no schema of a an a-sexual, dominant, loving family leader. The fathers I see on TV or in the movies seem plastic, surreal, missing a necessary element.
I wonder, can the fatherless come to understand a God who longs for us to see Him as our Father?
I hope so.
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