Sometimes it feels that talking to God is like having a father with Alzheimer's.
The only reason I say this is because of a scene I watched from the Sandra Bullock movie Hope Floats.
While Birdee must deal with the humility of moving back to her small town and becoming the town's juiciest subject, she also has to cope with her young daughter who thinks it's Birdee's fault her dad left them.
As it all begins to feel too much, Birdee goes to visit her dad, who is in a care home for his Alzheimer's. On previous visits, Birdee had talked affectionately to him, asking if he remembered certain things, all the while stroking his hand. He would look at her with a bit of a disconcerting directness, as if searching her. He would say nothing, but just stare at her, sometimes with a simple smile.
On this particular visit, Birdee is very distraught. She pours out her heart to her father, taking comfort in the fact that he hears her, or at least is paying attention to her. She goes on trying to figure it all out, if she's done something wrong, struggling for the right answer... when her father slowly rises. Without a word, he turns to her, love and affection brimming in his eyes. He had been listening to her the whole time. He spreads open his arms and brings her into a dance. Without a word, the two embrace.
There are times when I have felt like this with God. I come to him pouring out my heart, searching for the right answers and unable to grasp them. I walk through my day frustrated and wondering why everything is so wrong. Then, something happens to change it. Oftentimes it's something small, like coming across a song that goes straight to me, or encountering someone who shows me sincere and tender kindness, where I know it must be from the Lord. These moments may be small, but they have a way of carrying me through. It's as if that raging, distraught part of my heart is suddenly calmed by the presence and knowledge of how I am loved. A little voice that calms my fears and soothes the hurt.
God really is a tender Father.
The only reason I say this is because of a scene I watched from the Sandra Bullock movie Hope Floats.
Sandra Bullock plays Birdee Pruitt, a woman who has just moved back to her small hometown after a recent, and rather publicly embarrassing split from her husband. It doesn't help that the town gossips take delight in her recent downfall, loudly proclaiming how "so-and-so would NOT believe you're back in town!" (Momentary cringe for small-town gossip... er... 'small talk')
While Birdee must deal with the humility of moving back to her small town and becoming the town's juiciest subject, she also has to cope with her young daughter who thinks it's Birdee's fault her dad left them.
As it all begins to feel too much, Birdee goes to visit her dad, who is in a care home for his Alzheimer's. On previous visits, Birdee had talked affectionately to him, asking if he remembered certain things, all the while stroking his hand. He would look at her with a bit of a disconcerting directness, as if searching her. He would say nothing, but just stare at her, sometimes with a simple smile.
On this particular visit, Birdee is very distraught. She pours out her heart to her father, taking comfort in the fact that he hears her, or at least is paying attention to her. She goes on trying to figure it all out, if she's done something wrong, struggling for the right answer... when her father slowly rises. Without a word, he turns to her, love and affection brimming in his eyes. He had been listening to her the whole time. He spreads open his arms and brings her into a dance. Without a word, the two embrace.
There are times when I have felt like this with God. I come to him pouring out my heart, searching for the right answers and unable to grasp them. I walk through my day frustrated and wondering why everything is so wrong. Then, something happens to change it. Oftentimes it's something small, like coming across a song that goes straight to me, or encountering someone who shows me sincere and tender kindness, where I know it must be from the Lord. These moments may be small, but they have a way of carrying me through. It's as if that raging, distraught part of my heart is suddenly calmed by the presence and knowledge of how I am loved. A little voice that calms my fears and soothes the hurt.
God really is a tender Father.
