Upwrite

My mom and I (accidentally) went on a shopping spree today.  Going to Macy’s “One-Day Sale” somehow turned into going to every Macy’s in town and then some.  Wow.  Needless to say…I am too tired to write about this, but it’s been nipping at my heels lately, and I just need to turn around, crouch down, and address it!

So here’s the deal. I was reading an article on a Christian website just a bit ago.  The article was talking about imperfect mother-daughter relationships.  I couldn’t bear to get through the whole article, because it started saying how God has created each of our mother-daughter relationships, and God doesn’t make mistakes.  That’s all fine and good, but does anyone else see the glaring oversight in this explanation?  SIN!!  My (and anyone else’s) relationship with my mother is not imperfect because God has sovereignly decided to give us a screwy relationship.  It is imperfect because my mother and I are imperfect.  We make poor decisions, we do and say things we shouldn’t, and we don’t do and say things we should.  We screw up in ways that profoundly affect each other’s lives.  And just because a sin is forgiven doesn’t mean it won’t have consequences.  I think it’s totally unhelpful to pretend that what we do doesn’t matter and that the state of our relationships is wholly God’s idea.  Why do we “blame” God for everything?  It’s almost asinine. *Sigh*

I’m sure if I had finished reading the article, I would have found it edifying in some way or another (and it may have even addressed my grievance).  But, perhaps because I’m tired, I just didn’t have the patience for something that wasn’t making any sense to me.  Maybe some time when I’m feeling more charitable, I’ll give it a fair shot.  I might not though.  This is bigger than this article I just happened to read today.  It’s a whole mindset that assumes that whatever is, is so because of God.  And what about the abusive mother?  That was God’s idea?  I don’t buy that.  Whoa, okay, I’m typing sassily.  Time to stop.

I should just say one more thing though.  Last night I had the great privilege of guest speaking at our young adults’ gathering.  It was awesome to be able to speak the Word and deliver a message.  I was so humbled by the feedback.  And I give all praise and glory to God for the gifts and abilities He has given me and, most of all, for working through me for the benefit of others.

“For you make me glad by your deeds, O LORD;
I sing for joy at the works of your hands.
How great are your works, O LORD,
how profound your thoughts!”
Psalm 92:4-5