If you are offended by notions of God far outside the Bible and Orthodoxy, you should probably skip this post. If you decide to read, please understand that this is extended metaphor. Poetry/Fiction.
I love how you have woven God/extended metaphor. And I don't get how anyone could be offended by this. This is the embodiment of Christ's philosophy isn't it? Even the extended parts. So beautiful, Rebecca. Simply in love!!!! ❤️
Thanks, N. Actually I know lots of people who would be seriously disturbed by this, not that they are actually to ever see my work. The idea that God would raise a girl up to be his bride....I know a friend who would be very offended by this, like it's child abuse or something. But that would be to miss the larger point. But I did put the "warning" label on it.
Beautiful piece! As an ordained Christian minister, I find this delightful. There are many within Christianity who embrace the theological construct of pantheism—God is everything and everything is God. This is a most beautiful expressions of that idea.
Thanks, Darrell. I grew up in a very-Southern very-country Methodist church during the 70s. It was practically Baptist. I am still gun shy. The idea of marrying God is not a very protestant thing. I would have been horrified by this 20 yrs ago, and it still makes me squirm a little.
God, for me, was someone to question and debate. I felt that God was encouraging me to do right, to act kind, to be just. I felt God was a rabbi I could converse with and debate. But I never saw God as a playmate. And that is one of many reasons I love this poem, Rebecca.
Thanks, Jeremy. When I was little I feared God and I think confused him with my mother. Then I prayed a lot for my sins. Then I began to argue. Finally I broke free.
God was not presented to me as a cantankerous figure, even though that form of God was present in the Tanakh we read at synagogue and in Hebrew school. So, I found myself thinking of God not only as a teacher (rabbi), but also as a voice of my conscience.
However, I also felt power there, too.
One memory I have is asking my father about not believing when I was 8. We discussed on my way to basketball. I was always allowed to question and doubt. I feel very fortunate.
Yes. I was always questioning and doubting, but was afraid to own to it. Now it’s fun to just relax into it. I don’t believe in God, but I figure I’ll write about him forever.
Well at least this is a friendly God, a happy God and a loving God.
Having grown up without any notion of God I regard all God stories as a genre of fairy tales. Like other fairy tales, some contain much wisdom and guidance for life. Others are rather horrific and seem more aimed at instilling fear as a means of control.
I get you completely, friend Dave. But even though I no longer believe, it’s crazy how this piece makes me squirm inside. Even now. Just a little. Also, Dale says I’m getting more prudish as I get older. (ha!!)
Kierkegaard says—and I’m paraphrasing—that faith is the brave leap into trust and uncertainty. This reminded me of that, Rebecca. Thank you for this beautiful poem.
I love the intimacy of this relationship. Scripture says to pray unceasingly. Meaning, let your life be entwined with God. Scripture also says that Christ is the bridegroom and his church the bride. We all should marry God the way this poem describes. I am the vine and you are the branches. If you abide in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit. Apart from me, you can do nothing.
Re reading, re reading... Bowling me over. God is an earthquake, but God is also at least as good as you portray here. What is faith if it does not reach beyond reason and what we already think we understand?
I love the way you give him the benefit of the doubt. You have confidence that you are beautiful, perfect, and loved. God is doing the best they can by definition. We all have skin in the game.
Oh my God Rebecca this is utterly stunning. Your language is woven through with true fairies fabulous. I can’t wait to read it again thank you love Rebecca the lesser.
I love how you have woven God/extended metaphor. And I don't get how anyone could be offended by this. This is the embodiment of Christ's philosophy isn't it? Even the extended parts. So beautiful, Rebecca. Simply in love!!!! ❤️
Thanks, N. Actually I know lots of people who would be seriously disturbed by this, not that they are actually to ever see my work. The idea that God would raise a girl up to be his bride....I know a friend who would be very offended by this, like it's child abuse or something. But that would be to miss the larger point. But I did put the "warning" label on it.
Yes, you did! ❤️
Beautiful piece! As an ordained Christian minister, I find this delightful. There are many within Christianity who embrace the theological construct of pantheism—God is everything and everything is God. This is a most beautiful expressions of that idea.
Thanks, Darrell. I grew up in a very-Southern very-country Methodist church during the 70s. It was practically Baptist. I am still gun shy. The idea of marrying God is not a very protestant thing. I would have been horrified by this 20 yrs ago, and it still makes me squirm a little.
God, for me, was someone to question and debate. I felt that God was encouraging me to do right, to act kind, to be just. I felt God was a rabbi I could converse with and debate. But I never saw God as a playmate. And that is one of many reasons I love this poem, Rebecca.
Thanks, Jeremy. When I was little I feared God and I think confused him with my mother. Then I prayed a lot for my sins. Then I began to argue. Finally I broke free.
God was not presented to me as a cantankerous figure, even though that form of God was present in the Tanakh we read at synagogue and in Hebrew school. So, I found myself thinking of God not only as a teacher (rabbi), but also as a voice of my conscience.
However, I also felt power there, too.
One memory I have is asking my father about not believing when I was 8. We discussed on my way to basketball. I was always allowed to question and doubt. I feel very fortunate.
Yes. I was always questioning and doubting, but was afraid to own to it. Now it’s fun to just relax into it. I don’t believe in God, but I figure I’ll write about him forever.
I love the way this poem makes me feel. Light and childlike and filled with light
Thank you
Thank you, Sharon. So much.
Well at least this is a friendly God, a happy God and a loving God.
Having grown up without any notion of God I regard all God stories as a genre of fairy tales. Like other fairy tales, some contain much wisdom and guidance for life. Others are rather horrific and seem more aimed at instilling fear as a means of control.
I do like yours though.
Best Wishes - Dave :)
Thanks, Dave.
PS No offence meant to believers. My statement is purely about my own lack of belief in God as characterised by the major religions.
Enormous best wishes to you, friend Rebecca.
Dave :)
I get you completely, friend Dave. But even though I no longer believe, it’s crazy how this piece makes me squirm inside. Even now. Just a little. Also, Dale says I’m getting more prudish as I get older. (ha!!)
This is incredibly beautiful, moving and wondrous. Just what I needed. Thanks, Rebecca. I have not enough superlatives to say how moved I am.
Ahhhh. Thank you.
Kierkegaard says—and I’m paraphrasing—that faith is the brave leap into trust and uncertainty. This reminded me of that, Rebecca. Thank you for this beautiful poem.
Thank you. I have never read Kierkegaard. Perhaps I should.
I love the intimacy of this relationship. Scripture says to pray unceasingly. Meaning, let your life be entwined with God. Scripture also says that Christ is the bridegroom and his church the bride. We all should marry God the way this poem describes. I am the vine and you are the branches. If you abide in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit. Apart from me, you can do nothing.
WOW. Thanks. You are correct, of course. But not everyone, where I'm from, is comfortable with metaphor like this. I'm glad you are.
Re reading, re reading... Bowling me over. God is an earthquake, but God is also at least as good as you portray here. What is faith if it does not reach beyond reason and what we already think we understand?
Exactly, Jed. This used to be my argument against hell--that I wouldn't be so cruel, so neither would God, who must be as good as I.
Who among you if your son asks for grapes, will give him thistles, or if he asks for bread, will he give him a stone
Oh, yes! Yes.
I love the way you give him the benefit of the doubt. You have confidence that you are beautiful, perfect, and loved. God is doing the best they can by definition. We all have skin in the game.
Oh my God Rebecca this is utterly stunning. Your language is woven through with true fairies fabulous. I can’t wait to read it again thank you love Rebecca the lesser.
Thank you thank you, you dearest girl of the island. Read the one before this one--How I Almost Moved On.