This theme brings to mind the Jewish understanding of the fifth commandment to honor parents as being not just your relationship with your parents but also your relationship with God. Your parents are the first representatives of God in a child’s life.
Held said, “When we love, we don't just acknowledge the others separateness; we also embrace and celebrate their uniqueness.” When I read this my thoughts went to the Trinity and the love within the godhead. Held says God wants us to be “other than God” but I believe he still invites us into that divine union of the Trinity.
Refreshing to have love written about. It seems so little is focused on this foundation of our existence. I have a neighbor. He is 8. He is Chinese. And goes to Beijing regularly. And he is lonely. Last summer he spent a lot of time walking around the neighborhood looking for relating. I invited him to come help me feed the birds. We do his homework together now. I give him chips. He gives me surprises. "I told my class about you" he says. "What?" says I. "At sharing I told them about my neighbor and they want to come to your house." It makes me weep that our 8 year olds are so alone they want to meet a stranger with a hope of connection.
It's not just about our blood children. We only have each moment. Are we fully present in it and see the little face looking for someone looking for them?
So grateful for these thoughts and this vision--especially as a grandparent. This line grabbed me and actually brings a measure of freedom--“God's love, and only God's love, is truly unconditional.”
Yes! Tzimtzum is very interesting and far reaching in every loving relationship. It helps expand our understanding of Jesus’ “Greatest Commandment,” and what love can mean to life. Hmmm, how important could the sense of tzimtzum bring to current events from almost any perspective? Thank you, very much, for bringing us this book!
I especially appreciated this statement: "The self of each of us is shaped and formed “by the internalization of its relationships.”, as well as the comment about hands-off parenting. Thank you.
This theme brings to mind the Jewish understanding of the fifth commandment to honor parents as being not just your relationship with your parents but also your relationship with God. Your parents are the first representatives of God in a child’s life.
Held said, “When we love, we don't just acknowledge the others separateness; we also embrace and celebrate their uniqueness.” When I read this my thoughts went to the Trinity and the love within the godhead. Held says God wants us to be “other than God” but I believe he still invites us into that divine union of the Trinity.
Good stuff.
Refreshing to have love written about. It seems so little is focused on this foundation of our existence. I have a neighbor. He is 8. He is Chinese. And goes to Beijing regularly. And he is lonely. Last summer he spent a lot of time walking around the neighborhood looking for relating. I invited him to come help me feed the birds. We do his homework together now. I give him chips. He gives me surprises. "I told my class about you" he says. "What?" says I. "At sharing I told them about my neighbor and they want to come to your house." It makes me weep that our 8 year olds are so alone they want to meet a stranger with a hope of connection.
It's not just about our blood children. We only have each moment. Are we fully present in it and see the little face looking for someone looking for them?
What goodness!
Thank you Scott, I have also been reading this book and reading it slowly. I am really enjoying it.
So grateful for these thoughts and this vision--especially as a grandparent. This line grabbed me and actually brings a measure of freedom--“God's love, and only God's love, is truly unconditional.”
Yes! Tzimtzum is very interesting and far reaching in every loving relationship. It helps expand our understanding of Jesus’ “Greatest Commandment,” and what love can mean to life. Hmmm, how important could the sense of tzimtzum bring to current events from almost any perspective? Thank you, very much, for bringing us this book!
I especially appreciated this statement: "The self of each of us is shaped and formed “by the internalization of its relationships.”, as well as the comment about hands-off parenting. Thank you.