the messy middle

Every year during Lent I learn something new about the story of Jesus and what he did before he died a horrible death.  For us to be forgiven of OUR sins.  Pretty big sacrifice dontcha' think?  What He and his followers did was pave the way for us to be kind to each other and meet in the middle.  I don't really see that happening in today's world per the news.  But in real life?  There are so many stories of people who go above and beyond to help the least of these.  

My home church is very inclusive.  Mary Beth and her crew do a great job with welcoming all to the table and we stick together.  I recently had to "resign" as a liturgist because I can't read the fine print.  I wear my distance glasses just to see the screen.  Today as I tried to read the bulletin, I realized that it's a waste of paper on me and my eyes.  In SS we talked about the importance of women in Jesus' ministry as well.  I was today years old when I knew that Jesus had siblings.  Yet none of them were at the cross.  Only the Marys and John.  He spoke gently to his mother and disciple and asked him to take care of her.  There has been spectulation over the years (Dan Brown) that Mary M was his girlfriend.  I think he loved her dearly and resisted.  Maybe not.  After all, he was human and yet divine. 

I do not judge anyone for their life  choices as long as they do ono harm.  And even then, I forgive.  If not I will wither away with hatred and resentment because of the way I have been treated.  People do the best they can with what they have and sometimes we don't meet in the middle.  But sometimes?  It all works out in God's time ^j^