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Tacos, Rescues, and Lovers

We pass the white plastic coffee carafe around the room,
twelve women with Bibles splayed out, pens raised. During the video
presentation, we fill in blanks, scribble notes, and sip from styrofoam cups.
When the lights are flipped on again, we laugh, ask questions, and discuss the
material from our week’s study. 
This room that has been painted tan, then blue, then grey,
then cream. For fifteen years, white coffee carafes have been passed, and women
of all ages have been stirring in cream and sugar, and feeling God stir in them.
The Bible study facilitators and books have changed, but always there are women
gathering, grabbing coffee and dipping into God’s word. 
This morning, we studied Genesis –beginnings– and heard the
plot forming of a cosmic love story played out on a grand scale. This Creator
who built a world, created people, and has plans for them, loving them
fiercely, selflessly. Foreshadowed throughout his book is a tale of a wound
that cuts him deeply, but brings life to others. 
Gathering my books afterwards, I stuff them in a sequined
shoulder bag, gaily end conversations, and head home to make lunch. 
Adam. One man alone in a garden, naming beasts, full of
passion, potential, and new life, suddenly glimpsing how alone he was, with no
one to share all his love, excitement and new ideas. The Creator in the wings
was waiting, letting this lesson sink in, wanting man to know how alone he was,
how incomplete he was without woman. Then, when asked, the Creator sallied
forth, put the man to sleep and wounded him, piercing his side to bring life to
the man’s second half, his love and new companion. 
Male and female, intertwined, life from each other; and in
marriage, one unit. Created to be a deeper picture of the intertwined
relationship of the Three-in-One-God; and a picture of how much the Son loves
the Global Church, his bride. Later in history during a Roman torture scene, we
see a wound that cuts open his side—and Jesus gives life to his Bride. 
At home, as laundry piles and the dishwasher hums, I ponder
this relationship. Love and passion between my husband and I, I get. Love and
safety with God as my Abba Daddy, I get. That comes easily. Seeing God as my
Lover that I long for and miss comes harder to me, but it denotes a deeper
passion and intimacy that I am intrigued by tonight. 
After tacos tonight, I headed to the garage with a ladder,
some S–hooks and a plan. Standing the blue metal ladder precariously against
the door to our house, I leaned on tip-toe, assembling a chain from which to
dangle suitcases and backpacks. Suddenly the handle of the door supporting my
ladder turned and my four year old opened the door. My ladder slipped. I
screamed and grabbed onto rough garage rafters, as the ladder tumbled uselessly
out of reach.
“Mark, help! Daniel, shut the door! Help!” 
Dangling from the rafters, far above cement steps, I was
stuck and terrified. 
Mark’s arms came around me then, laughing wryly at the mess I
was in. 
“Let go,” he demanded. 
“No! You just have one arm holding me.” 
“Let go. I’ve got you.” His shoulders against me, his arm
wrapped tightly, I trusted and let go. 
And suddenly, this rescue by my human-husband helps the idea
of a God-Lover holding me tightly make a bit more sense too.

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16 Comments

  1. Brandee Shafer on October 12, 2012 at 2:07 am

    Oh, my. So thankful your man was there! I was part of an amazing women's Bible study for awhile. Wish it were still available.

  2. Unknown on October 12, 2012 at 3:04 am

    I have a room I go to like that every week too. But the walls are made of bricks that were made by hand by the founding members of our church… love this post.
    Glad you have a hubby who can save you. 🙂

  3. Cheryl Barker on October 12, 2012 at 5:00 pm

    What a great illustration, Jennifer. Helps me see God as our Lover a little clearer, too. Blessings to you this weekend!

  4. Jennifer Dougan on October 12, 2012 at 8:50 pm

    Brandee,

    Those Bible study groups can be so bonding, and are sorely missed too, huh?

    Thanks for stopping by here.

    Jennifer
    jenniferdougan.com

  5. Jennifer Dougan on October 12, 2012 at 8:57 pm

    AJ,

    Bricks made by hand by the founding fathers… wow, if that isn't an analogy?! 🙂

    Thanks for stopping by, AJ.

    Nice to meet you,
    Jennifer
    jenniferdougan.com

  6. Jennifer Dougan on October 12, 2012 at 9:00 pm

    Thank you, Cheryl. Always nice to interact with you. 🙂

    Jennifer
    enniferdougan.com

  7. elaine @ peace for the journey on October 12, 2012 at 9:17 pm

    Oh the keeping, catching arms of Jesus. The Love that will not let me go.

    peace~elaine

  8. Jayne on October 12, 2012 at 10:11 pm

    I got tears in my eyes! How sweet! I love illustrations that help me to see the lover of my soul even deeper.

  9. Houseofmills on October 13, 2012 at 1:20 pm

    Oh my…..So glad Mark was home. That is a neat illustration. =)

  10. Dontmissyoursunsetlady on October 14, 2012 at 2:18 am

    I was on the edge of my seat just reading! I learn so much from your writing. If only we lived closer, we might be friends!

  11. cabinart on October 14, 2012 at 4:41 am

    Oh wow, Jennifer, that was exciting! Was it too far to drop onto the floor? Was Mark on the ladder or is he really tall?

    Sorry for the stupid questions. What I really mentally reacted to first was styrofoam cups – ick! 😎

  12. Jennifer Dougan on October 15, 2012 at 2:14 pm

    Elaine,

    "The love that will not let me go…" amen! Thanks for stopping by.

    Jennifer
    jenniferdougan.com

  13. Jennifer Dougan on October 15, 2012 at 2:17 pm

    Jayne,
    Thank you. This picture helped me too this week. I am always so thankful when God helps me get something that is harder for me to picture.

    Have a great week.

    Jennifer
    jenniferdougan.com

  14. Jennifer Dougan on October 15, 2012 at 2:17 pm

    Hi Liz,

    Thanks. Yes, he rescues me often. 🙂

    Jennifer
    jenniferdougan.com

  15. Jennifer Dougan on October 15, 2012 at 2:20 pm

    Angelonwheels,

    Thank you for your sweet words. They encourage me too. I appreciate that.

    If you are ever in MN, I would love for you to come by for coffee! Meanwhile, we can get to know each other here too.

    Have a great week,
    Jennifer
    jenniferdougan.com

  16. Jennifer Dougan on October 15, 2012 at 2:25 pm

    Cabinart,

    You make me smile, and I'm so glad to hear from you! Yes, the styrofoam cups — I knew you would appreciate that too.

    Mark is taller than me, but he was also on the top two steps of the cement stairs. I was dangling further down, and would have landed on uneven surfaces, a metal ladder, and some random junk in our garage had I tried to jump. Mark's other arm was holding onto the doorframe so he could keep us both balanced and safe. Funny, huh?

    I enjoy you, Jana. Hey, where can I subscribe as a google friend-connect on your site? I couldn't find that.

    Jennifer
    jenniferdougan.com

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