Maybe I would write "Tina likes John Hall!" a hundred times. And maybe I took those labels and placed them all over her books, folders, and make-up compact mirror? Needless to say my sister spent the rest of the following week discovering these gifts of love!
Now that I am a little older I can reflect back and see how I was a nightmare to my sister, Tina. It also probably explained the fact why my sister seemed to be a little more secretive about her future crushes. Also, as I look back, I saw myself trying to jump into my sister's life. Being the youngest sibling with two older sisters, I remember my sisters bringing their friends over to the house. I would invade their space wanting to be apart of their friendships. But that's not how friendships are formed or love received.
When I think of love, specifically the love of God, God doesn't invade our space, He patiently waits for our invitation for Him to enter into our lives. He waits during our greatest joys and most tragic parts of our lives for that invitation.
I saw this in my ministry this summer. I was blessed to be a chaplain at a hospital in central Illinois. It was interesting how I would get many different reactions to my knocking at their door; some people were openly happy for my visit, while others told me "goodbye" before I could say anything else (which I graciously left). My hope was not to invade into their life (like when I was in 6th grade), but enter into their life and hospital room through their invitation.
There is one patient that stands out in particular. She wasn't really practicing any faith. She was raised somewhat Christian when she was younger, but stopped practicing and going to any church long ago. She was in her mid 30's, her life was turned upside down and was not like anything she had ever planned. She was diagnosed with an incurable illness that could only be treated by heavy medication. She no longer had communication with or support from her family, and her friends had abandoned her because she could no longer contribute to their social activities. I entered the room asking if I could sit and talk, she said yes. And for the next two hours we talked about life, difficulties, and faith. At the end of my visit, I was clear that I couldn't promise healing of the body (though I would pray for that), but I did point to one important fact from this visit; the power of the invitation before her! I pointed to the fact that her illness opened up the opportunity for our conversation. For by her own admittance, she said she would have never talked to me if she was perfectly healthy. I told her that her illness, though not a direct act of God (that God desired her illness), opened her heart to an invitation to God and the Christian faith once more.
Coming back on retreat, I can't help but to continue to pray for that patient and that 2 hour conversation we had. And on retreat I came across this beautiful meditation of God and humanity; God does not force Himself upon us. The Incarnation points to this reality. First, God asks Mary if she would be the vessel in which the Word would become flesh. It is only after her yes that she becomes pregnant with the Son of God.
It's a beautiful thing how gentle and patient The Lord is with us. He's not abrupt trying to invade our personal space, but God does have His labels over all of creation. The Lord is waiting for our open invitation to let Him enter. I'm so glad that God is not like me, especially when I was in 6th Grade! Needless to say, Tina no longer likes John Hall. However there may be one or two more labels to be found in her old high school folders.
