So what's up?

So I was baptized.

When I grew up

I was confirmed

and professed my faith

in the midst

of those who loved

and nurtured me in faith.

I made vows...

celebrating that I belong to God.

I made vows...

promising with God's help

to turn away from sin.

So what's up?

How is it that I can profess faith....

yet have days when I am....

hard headed....

insensitive....

arrogant...

self-centered?

I suppose it's like being a beautiful

blooming plant

covered in thorns.

I suppose that is why I believe

that my baptism and profession

of faith were not

the conclusion of God's activity in my life....

but the beginning of a journey.

I believe God knows all about my thorns....

Scriptures reveals again and again....

God is not

afraid of thorns....

nor will God give up on us because of our thorns.

Upon his head they placed a crown of them.

So again and again....

I come to terms with thorns that prick.

Thorns of fear.

Thorns of regret.

Thorns of anger.

Thorns of grief.

Thorns of doubt.

So each day,

each week

I turn to God...

And each day,

each week

with open arms

God

invites me home again.

"Come to me

my child.

I will pull out the thorns

one

by

one...

and

I will

make you

whole."

This is the journey....

the life giving journey.