The Relationship

That what we have with God is a relationship is nothing new to Christians; but I am writing about it anyway because of the acuteness with which this is being impressed upon me daily, that I fear I might burst if I don't find some release in writing about it.

Why is this being impressed upon me daily? Because there are parallels aplenty between our relationships with the people around us, and that between us and God. Parents in particular, will encounter many; yet that is not to say that most parents are Christians. Indeed, all things considered, I believe Christians are a minority, a people with a peculiar faith. The visible church is huge; many even consider "Judeo/Christian" as the predominant mental framework of the Western world, which sets the agenda for much of what is considered "modern". For instance, I am undecided about polygamy, but I am glad that wife beating is now not only frowned upon in most countries, it is actually illegal. But then again, so much of Christianity is concerned with the invisible rather than what can be seen with the fleshly eye.

Back to relationships… I get occasional parenthood exposure when I interact with my two nephews. They're lovely boys, though somewhat spoilt by my parents who have taken it upon themselves to care for them after my sister's divorce. There is so much I want to show and teach them; yet sometimes this cause is frustrated because there are instances when they are not interested, or that I cannot share something in particular as yet because they are not ready.

I cannot approach them if they reject me; if they are disobedient and defiant, I cannot come close. Knowing full well that their course leads to disaster, I can try to approach them again, ultimately even use the cane... Westerners are squeamish when it comes to the rod, and I have friends who classify it as child abuse; my advice is, don't be too sure. I shall write on child discipline another time. Alternatively, if I don't love them enough, I can do the easiest thing: leave them be.

And if one is more defiant than the other, so that I get more pleasure from interacting with one who is keen to learn, is the more defiant of the two boys then less precious to me? No. Both are precious. Which is why it irks me considerably that my parents sometimes (with no ill intentions, thinking it a harmless thing) proclaim that B is my favoured nephew, the "uncle's pet". This can potentially alienate L from me, and even make him think that I am a third party, robbing him of his brother. Nothing can be further from the truth, as both are equally precious to me.

I cannot overstate the fact that I am undeserving of God's forgiveness; and I am comforted by the parable of the prodigal son, that when the latter returned to his father, his father rejoiced to greet him. Even more comforting, is while I am finite and was tempted to leave my nephews be, God is infinite, and will never forsake us, even as we are too eager to forsake Him.