A free and friendly space

… transitional space, a space for our development as a species [and individuals].  If the space is good enough, the likelihood of this happening for each human being increases.  If the space is filled with violence, danger, unfulfilled, needs, poverty, oppression, bias, racism, sexism, homophobia – that‘s not a good enough space for any of us to fully learn to love ourselves [or others].

                     Jacqui Lewis

________________________

 

we all need a safe place

a free and friendly space

where we can discoverer who we are

 

we all need a space in which we can become

fully human

imago Dei

 

Donald Winnicott (bless his soul)

calls the space in which we develop our true self

(versus the false self we present to the world)

a transitional space

a becoming space

 

the world can be a transitional space

so can a nation

a state

a community

a family

 

perhaps the most powerful space is our family of origin

where we learn that we are loved

and learn to love ourselves

 

or not

 

that space where affection, praise,

shame, fear, joy, peace, and violence

can all happen

 

but States too

and countries

 

they can be places where we learn

what is “me” and what is “not”

what I can accomplish and what I cannot

who I am and who I am not

 

out of these spaces we emerge

carrying with us, both good and ill

lessons learned

 

but mostly what emerges are people able to love

themselves and others

and people unable to love

themselves and others

 

my heart hurts over the transitional spaces

so many experience

those dysfunctional homes, yes

but more

those dysfunctional states (Texas, and others)

which are teaching hate, and racism

which are teaching people the way of domination and oppression

 

those leaders (Putin, Trump, Hawley, et. al)

who are teaching violence and brutality

greed and consumption

hate and bias

 

where does this path go?

what comes out of those spaces filled with

voter suppression

radical nationalism

racism

a theology of domination and aggression

a disrespect for women’s rights

guns

bombs

war

death and destruction?

 

what kind of people emerge?

 

I think Sacred looks at all that is happening

and weeps

 

weeps for the damage being done

to the planet

and to people

to precious souls

 

and I think that Sacred

like a mother hen

wants to gather us all under her wings

and give us a space

 

a free and friendly space

where we can be loved

accept love

and learn to love

 

that should be what the church is all about

not about ideologies and creeds

not about what we believe

but about how we live

 

about how we are loved

and love

 

Kyrie Eleison

Christe Eleison

 

let us nestle

but only for a while

then let us go forth

and change the world