Stay in God's Grip!
  • Home
  • Todd's Blog
  • Remember Me When
  • Contact

 While in God's Grip!

Covenant

5/2/2019

0 Comments

 
Picture
"Be imitators of God, therefore, as dearly loved children, and live a life of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God."
~ Ephesians 5: 1,2
Yesterday I spent time with a couple celebrating their wedding anniversary.  As we looked at pictures from the couple's wedding day, the two both smiled and were able to recall so much about the day, including the weather, different conversations, and the vows that they made.

As we talked, the man shared, "and the vows that we made that day were the easiest words to tell her because I just love her so much."

For the last year the couple has struggled with the wife's cancer diagnosis, surgery, treatments, and now hospice.  "This is what I promised her.  That I will care for her, no matter what."

This has been hard on the couple.  The initial treatment involved the removal of her tongue, a muscle from her arm being used to reconstruct a tongue, no longer being able to eat food, or speak clearly, and now watching as the cancer invades her neck and face.  For me, they are the most sacred example of covenant and unconditional love.

The conversation was filled with many emotions.  There are simply those moments when you realize the presence of God in the moment.  For us, this is the covenant that God has made with each of us.  

As I sat and listened, I realized the deep pain that was present that will never go away.  The woman, almost befriends her woundedness at this point, and realizes the deep love that she has for her husband, and he, for her.  What I learned in that moment was that their covenant for one another is filled with many truths.  They now say what is on their mind to one another, and they listen, without judgment.  They understand the need to hear, "it will be okay," and that, "I love you, no matter what."

Essentially, it is what we seek each day in our life, and our faith.  It is our deep need to know that God loves us, unconditionally, and that our words and actions matter to God.  That somehow, when we fail, or fall short, of what God wants for us, there is not some punishment awaiting, but rather, grace, and forgiveness.

The unconditional covenant that God has with us means that God is waiting to take us, hold us, and to remind us that we belong to God... ALWAYS!

The greatest pain that we will ever bear is our own.  The greatest love we will ever encounter is the love that God has for us.

We invite God's unconditional covenant with us when we forgive instead of getting angry with one another.  When we find that ability to bless our enemy, rather than cursing at them.  When we care for the wounds of others, rather than driving salt into them.  When we discover the words to encourage others, instead of discouraging.  When we find a way to provide hope, rather than taking the person down the pathway of despair.  When we hug, instead of harassing.  When we no longer ignore others, and instead, turning a cold-shoulder, affirming, rather than criticizing.  When we praise instead of tearing the other apart.  

In all of these situations, we affirm the covenant that God has with us, and invites that covenant to be visible for the world to see.

While there was great joy in the sharing that I encountered yesterday, there was also a great sense of sadness, knowing that the time that this couple has left is escaping them with each moment.  

Learning to live out our love for God and one another will always provide for moments that will be meaningful.

Stay in God's grip!

G. Todd Williams (c) 2019
0 Comments



Leave a Reply.

    Author

    Rev. G. Todd Williams lives in the Houston metro area and is a Hospice Chaplain at Essential Hospice, Webster, Texas, and is an ordained Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) pastor.

    He serves as the Stated Supply to Westminster Presbyterian Church, Galveston, Texas.

    His new book, "Remember Me When..." is available through Chalice Press.

    Archives

    August 2022
    June 2022
    May 2022
    March 2022
    February 2022
    December 2021
    July 2021
    May 2021
    April 2021
    March 2021
    February 2021
    January 2021
    December 2020
    November 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017

    RSS Feed

  • Home
  • Todd's Blog
  • Remember Me When
  • Contact