How do you experience God? Our congregation responds to drawings.

This series of blogs are responses from  congregation members to drawings created by one of our children Enrique and his mother Katie. One Sunday in worship during the children’s conversation, we created a list of names for God. The congregation shared the names they use for God. As our worship continued, Enrique and his mom created images of how they see and experience these various names of God.

In this blog entry, Trish has responded to the drawing of Beloved. I am grateful for the way in which she brings alive the many layers of Beloved, going deeper and deeper into the Core of the Sacred as Beloved. Thank you, Trish.

Enrique,
    You have drawn many beautiful drawings of what you see as The Beloved. I think you have already encountered the Beloved.

    Beloved. We don’t use that name very often. Married people, though, often use that term when they are referring to each other. Beloved. Meaning they set each other apart from and are deeper in relationship than other friends. You are also, as you know, Beloved as the child of your parents. You are Beloved by your grandparents. This is a deeper bond formed than friendship, and you know you love your friends. You can call them up and ask them how they’re doing and they do the same to you. You want to stay in touch with them and have a close connection with them.

    But the word Beloved goes deeper. You are treasured and cherished, you are the dear one. This is how the Creator of the Universe sees you. Beloved. The same being that thought up rainbows and trees and dogs thought up you. The Beloved wakes up with you, walks with you and dreams with you. As you talk to your mom and dad, so you can talk to the Beloved, for you are one. What you experience, the Beloved experiences and yes, The Beloved adores a good basketball pickup game just as much as you.

    To think of the Beloved as close as your heart beat, as close as your breathing in and breathing out, to experience compassion as the Beloved of the Universe experiences it passes all understanding. We know this happens because we have encountered the Beloved when we truly love ourselves and see the Beloved in the mirror with us. Beloved looking at the Beloved.​

Trish Herron

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