Why?

Why do we ask why God would do/not do/allow/etc. something to happen?  Do we really believe in a God that does things for us or does things to punish/teach us or does things for reasons we'll never know?  

For me, that reduces what God is to some kind of abusive parent that I hope had a good day... 

I believe that what God is, if that can be captured in words, transcends the day to day realities and hardships we deal with.  I believe that life happens.  The rain falls on the good and the evil.  Many things happen for no discernible reason.  Sickness, accidents, etc.  Many things happen for identifiable reasons, preventable reasons.  But things happen.  

And the "why" isn't the question to be asking.  

What if we said a prayer of thanks when these things happen?  Being thankful for the presence of God that will always be with us and will guide us.  Being thankful for the certainty that nothing -not death, not a diagnosis, not a breakup, not bankruptcy, not prison- nothing can ever separate us from that of which we are made... The love that is the very essence of God.

I think what makes a difference in times of tragedy and heartache is knowing you're not alone and feeling connected to the Source of hope.  That's why I practice my faith, so I can continue to bring light to all the dark areas of fear in my life and I can begin to more fully trust in that oneness with the divine.

In those spaces of peace, I know that all is well, God is love, and I am perfect.

And I can breathe.

Remembering.

From the Christian tradition, this song "You are for me" has been very healing for me.  What it has helped heal are all the ways I have been taught that God is against me/us.

Because I am human.
Because I am gay.
Because I have failed in so many ways.
Because I am afraid.
Because I will never be perfect.

Today, that is complete.  That chapter is done.  Today, I have total confidence that all that what we call God, is simply and completely Love... and that I am made up of that Love.  I am worthy of Love.  I am worthy to be Love.

Sometimes, I forget that chapter is closed and a new one has been written.  That is why I practice my spirituality.  It is why I sink into music.  It is why I read spiritual teachers.  It is why I write.  It is why I participate in faith communities like MCC Austin, Unity Church of the Hills in Austin, and All God's Children Metropolitan Community Church here in Minneapolis.  I know that what I find in moments of spiritual presence is vital to me.  I know that I'm likely to not be able to simply stay in that presence all the time just because I want to.... that it will take some structure of some kind.  And that is why I practice.  I am remembering who I am and that the I AM remembers me.

Spirituality is not about dominating others.

I believe that every time we see conservative Christianity used as the impetus for behavior that is corporatist, elitist, mysogynist, homophobic, classist, and every other possible way we can divide humanity, that we will see more and more complete rejection of all organized religion.  People whose faith is about more than subjugation of those who are different must become passionate about vocalizing their offense at having faith and spirituality used to manipulate and harm people.  If humanity doesn't hear differently, we can not blame them for lumping all spiritual people in with fundamentalists.  If faith and spirituality really makes a difference, then this really matters.