Finding Grace in Those So Different Than Ourselves

This is a picture of a kissing gate. I may have passed through this same gate with my wife on a walk through Wales about 4 years ago around this same time. It is called a kissing gate, because only one person can pass through at a time, and the man can demand a kiss before letting the girl pass through. Somehow it reminds me of the interactions of fellowship which randomly occur in life. We have our moments of passing into true fellowship, and they surprise us like the demand of a kiss at the kissing gate.

Some of the recent interactions of deeper connection, and grace have occured with people whom I might not have expected such freedom of relationship (if I were thinking like a typical Evangelical): a gay Pagan man whom I knew did not quite trust me but somehow we came to new appreciation of one another, an Occultist with a tough exterior who showed a gentle heart which surprised me, a middle-aged female Witch whose seeking led her to spend all afternoon asking about our church, an extremely liberal female pastor with a foot in cast and heart for mission, a liberal pastor whose primary interest was saving the planet, and an evangelical pastor who played 40 questions with my life and made it feel like a game between friends.

I wonder if Jesus found comfort spending time with people who were remarkably different from Himself? He speaks of His discussion with the Samaritan woman, and says, "I have food to eat of which you do not know." Was there something about that interaction which fed His soul? Did he find the dialogue comforting like a good meal with friends? Or should I assume that He was fed merely by the fact that He served God? Was there no satisfaction in the relational interaction with the woman at the well?

This Samaritan woman wasn't a well studied theologian, or a deeply prayed-up disciple. She was a common sinner - a spiritual ragamuffin. She was a seeker, but a clumsy one at best.

I have been finding myself less comforted by those who speak the typical language of the churched, and more drawn to and "fed" by those who question church as we know it today, and so I ask myself this question: Am I sensing the "food to eat of which you do not know" as Jesus spoke of it, or is something else going on in my heart?

Having to forge new relationships is the nature of the season I am living in, and strangely, ministers whose theology is dramatically different than my own, and seekers whose ideas of religion are only remotely similar to my own at best often offer a deeper refreshing than preachers whose theologies are most like mine. Does this mean I am finding new food for the soul? I am not sure, but it's worth a thought. What do you think? Can we find refreshing in mission itself?

Deep Lessons from an 18 Year Old

It was dark, and I found my way around the back quietly. I did not want the neighbors to hear me. The back door was locked, but not quite latched, and it swung open with a gentle shove.

I made my way down the dark steps to the next door, and fumbled for the latch. The old door creaked softly, and I entered looking around. There is not much to see in the dark, but I saw a shadowed movement ahead of me. I called out with a whisper, and a soft voice came from the darkness.

Feeling my way to the hanging chain, my fingers felt the cold steel, and I tugged to reveal the bare bulb in all its brilliance.

Turning to the room again I looked for her. She appeared around the corner, with the graceful movements with which only the most beautiful make walking an art. As the other nights, she came to hug my neck, and I wondered to myself, "What does this eighteen year old have to teach me? Is there wisdom in her days, which I have not gained, or perhaps I have forgotten? Is this really why I am here?"

Without a word I knew. Intimacy is key to knowing, and it is the blessing of life.

I would have to leave soon, and go back home to my wife.

Of course, another lesson dawned on me too - A little food helps. I put her down, and scooped the cat food into the bowl. "Good Kitty, see you tomorrow."


"This is life, that they may know you the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom thou has sent."
"This is my commandment, That you love one another, as I have loved you."

This is my lesson from feeding the cat for Mike and Stef.