At our inception, God loved us like a proud parent.
God called out to us.
The more God called to us, the further we ran.
We sacrificed to other gods. We burnt incense to idols.
Yet it was God who taught us to walk, hugging us in loving arms.
We didn’t know it was God who healed us.
God lifted us to God’s cheek.
God fed us and nurtured us.
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We chose violence and hatred and the ways of war. We terrorized our neighbors. We threw tantrums before our God.
We were bent on turning away from God.
The God of all peoples and all times grew frustrated then and now at our misbehavior.
We blamed one another. We called out to false gods & heard silence.
“How can I give you up?” agonized God. “My heart winces within me.”
Despite our actions, God’s extravagant love grew warm and tender.
God calls to us.
Praise be to the grace that gives us another chance to be who we are created to be.
Let us worship the God of all generations.
Praise be to the God of all times and all peoples.
Amen.
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Based upon Hosea 11:1-9 CEB. Some phrases are direct quotes from the Common English Bible, Copyright © 2011 by Common English Bible
Tim is a runner, a hiker, a devoted husband, a father of two adult children, and their spouses, and a grandfather of four perfect children. A former early childhood educator, Tim is an ordained minister in the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ). He has served as pastor of both Disciples and United Church of Christ congregations. As we enter what we hope is the final phase of the pandemic, Tim is beginning a journey of rediscovering himself and discerning next steps. He writes from his home in Albany, Oregon and wherever the Spirit lures him.
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