Hunger Games in my Head: My Little Opinion on a Big Issue

I tend to resist fads and crazes until they've lost their steam. I like to sit back, watch, and listen to all of the lip flappin' and peacocking that goes back and forth. I'm a people watcher. With that said I've heard a lot of opinions about Hunger Games. My roommate had PTSD for about a week or more after watching and believed one of us would kill her in her sleep. My mother was so concerned that she paid the $12 (a marvel in itself) to observe and protect. FacebookBoppers started to pick sides, team Peeta vs. team Gale. 

After living through the Harry Potter, Focus on the Family debacle I shook my head and went palm to forehead. Now that the dust has settled I have watched and the rest of this will be my two cents. You should know that I am most definitely not a movie critic. I am a counselor and I am heavily concerned about social injustice. I write from these lens.

Since I'm less than 24 hours from my experience of watching this movie, I hesitate in committing to the following statement. However, I will say I consider Hunger Games to be an important movie.

My Soapbox Disclaimer: 

I do think that it is unsuitable for anyone that is unable to process abstractly (i.e children younger than 13ish) and that after 13 parents should talk about the message with their teens, hence the rating PG-13. In my opinion not doing so is negligent and watching violence becomes purposeless, if not entertaining. To balance this, I've heard from too many Christians saying the violence in Hunger Games is too much. I would agree and ask if they remember watching the Passion of the Christ? I recognize the difference to most of these critics is that the violence in Passion is purposeful, necessary to get the message across, and not about children. What about "Schindler's List" or other eye-opening movies about the Holocaust?

Reasons I Consider Hunger Games to be Important: 

In college I took a psychology class on mass movements where we studied the Holocaust and the Civil Rights Movement.  These two mass movements come from polar ends of the spectrum. One is a travesty and a window into the disease of hate, the other a triumph and a celebration of human resiliency.  We read a book by Eric Hoffer that I consider one of the most important books I have ever read.  It is a hard, small, and true book.    I walked away from this class with the slap-you-in-the-face reality that I am no different from all others who stood silent during the holocaust and have the capacity to participate.  

I also realized that I am capable of speaking out and being a part of something like the Civil Rights movement. When watching movies like Hunger Games we must not immediately align ourselves with the heroine of the story.  In our history we've watched gladiators fight until death and cheered in joy.  We've owned people and killed because of skin color.  Upstanding citizens have participated and stood silent.   Instead, we have to look at how we are capable of participating in the cruelty as did all of the spectators in this movie.  The hardest question that most of us cannot stand to ask ourselves is not how am I capable, but how do I participate today. 

I know that the following will offend both "conservative" and "liberal" parties.  That is not my intention.  I want to spur us to thinking... to action. 

1) In Hunger Games I was disgusted by the society's obsession with clothes and material things.  So much so that they were blind to what was going on around them.  Killing us Softly is a series of documentaries that explain the impact of this on our society.  Here is a trailer 

2) "African American baby is three times more likely to be aborted and more African American babies have been killed by abortions since 1973 than the total number of African American deaths from AIDS, violent crimes, accidents, cancer and heart disease combined.” As a society we become okay with this because we are told there are not enough resources to support these children at the lifestyle we would like to live as Americans. 

3) What about the way we target Hispanic groups based on the immigration laws in Alabama, Texas and other border states?  (Although this one backfired a bit in the Heart of Dixie).  Children were one of the main targets and culprits of this.  I wrote this paper on the topic a couple of semesters ago while at Denver Seminary.  You'll find typos and errors but hopefully it's insight. 

This post may seem harsh by the end of it all.  I'm even feeling a bit Debbie Downer at this point. My concern is that the opposition to Hunger Games is because we're afraid to see ourselves negatively. That history will repeat. That we'll continue to turn our heads. 

Considering the "Peace Keepers" of the movie. Unity and self-sacrifice, of themselves, even when fostered by the most noble means, produce a facility for hating. Even when men league themselves mightily together to promote tolerance and peace on earth, they are likely to be violently intolerant toward those not of a like mind. - Eric Hoffer

The Law of the Land Reflects the Heart of the People

I intended to publish this a while back but I let it go because things started to change... Looks like it went more underground than stopped.

The Law of the Land Reflects the Heart of the People: Amos and Social Responsibility in Immigration

“The people I see are not criminals, and they’re not looking for a handout. They are mothers and fathers trying to feed their children.  If people knew what I see, then maybe it would counter negative stereotypes so that compassion and humane immigration laws could be passed in Washington.”

- Federal Judge Robert C. Barak, Las Cruces, NM (Daniel, 2010)

Several media sources have reported the “Beason-Hammon Alabama Taxpayer and Citizen Protection Act,” House Bill (H.B.) 56, the toughest immigration law in the US. This has raised a great deal of questions and controversy among residents of Alabama, both documented and undocumented.  My hope is to be a different voice among the clamor, a voice that draws us to the heart of God as spoken by the prophet Amos. It is necessary to begin by briefly addressing the concerns and misconceptions that led to this law, followed by an overview of what the law is about and how it affects all residents. This should bring understanding and weight to the responsibility at hand. The central focus will be on the Christian’s role in social justice, according to Amos.  It has been said, “The law of the land reflects the heart of the people” (Carroll, 2011).  My hope is that our hearts will be able to hold righteousness and justice in the same hand, elevating these virtues as a priority in worship to God. 

The title of this immigration bill is interesting, “...Alabama Taxpayer and Citizen Protection Act”.  Who or what should we be protected from and who are these people not paying taxes?  Unfortunately, the title of the bill implies a threat that is unrealistic.  The fear behind this new law is that jobs are being taken by “illegal” immigrants or “aliens” that are not paying taxes.  In fact, most of the jobs “taken” require skill and hard labor that most citizens will not do for the amount paid (Dwoskin, 2011). This effect is crippling farmers, leaving them desperate for labor.  An even greater misconception is the idea of unpaid taxes. All employees must provide a tax identification or Social Security number for the I-9 form.  Since numbers provided by undocumented workers are false, they are paying into Social Security benefits they will never receive.  Medicare and Social Security are expected to run dry by 2024 and 2036, respectively (Wolf, 2011). Therefore, the deportation of 11-12 million undocumented Hispanics alone, would bankrupt the Social Security system.  

The Alabama immigration law (H.B. 56) aims to drive out immigrants with strict regulations.  It is now a crime for citizens to drive an undocumented immigrant.  Beginning April 2012, businesses must check the legal status of workers or face fines and/or the loss of a business license.  Landlords can also be fined if they “harbor illegal aliens”.  Schools are now required to count “illegal aliens” upon a child’s enrollment.  This has lead to many children withdrawing from school for fear of deportation.  Under this new law police officers can be fined if they do not arrest undocumented immigrants.  As a result of the strict stipulations both citizens and immigrants are fearful.  The nature and language of this law has created opposing sides, “us vs. them,”and is conducive to racial profiling.  It is reminiscent of racial laws that existed in Alabama less than 45 years ago.  

The argument stated until this point is usually where we begin and end.  The language is often hostile and pejorative with simplistic answers that yield transient results (Daniel, 2010). As Christians we must ask where the debate should begin.  Where does God call us to look for his understanding of social justice?  Patriotism is often viewed as a Biblical allegiance to a nation, a faithful Christ follower “obeying the laws of the land.”  Others may question whether the issue of immigration is simply a political issue that should be left alone.  The issue of immigration is not simply about politics or the economy.  It is also about people.  “Many immigrants seek a ‘promised land’ of a better existence, a ‘land of milk and honey,’ but the trek here is hard, and life once they get to the United States scan be full of long hours of work with low pay and few benefits.” (Carroll, 2008, p. 87). 

The prophets passionately point to a number of sins or covenant violations that fall into three categories: idolatry, social justice and reliance on religious ritualism (Hays, 2010).  In light of the pressing concern of immigration, I will focus on social justice, “... central to the message of Amos.” (Carroll, 2009, p. 42).  The Book of Amos is also considered to be the most insightful criticism of society in the entire Old Testament (Hasel, 1991).  Through exploring this prophetic word I will seek to redefine justice and righteousness, point to the warnings in God’s judgement, and provide answers for how we should respond.  

Amos’ defends the vulnerable and condemns the heartless worship of the people of God. Their religious actions, worship, and praise are detestable to God because they neglect the social justice of the oppressed and defy true righteousness (5:7, 5:24, 6:12).  Carroll (2009) points out that the use of justice and righteousness in all three verses in Hebrew are chiastic, a literary device that point to the center to show importance.  Since the time of Amos was effected by a divided monarchy with worship of pagan deities, many of us consider this society separate from our own.  Therefore the words of Amos become void to us. However, in our modern society that equates “experiencing God” equivalent with worship, we must heed the warnings of hollow actions (Carroll, 2005).  Today the word worship is synonymous with music.  This view desperately needs to be redefined.  The prophet Amos speaks of justice and righteousness in treatment of others as key to a right relationship with him. When the people of God substitute these virtues for religious ritual God “despises” their empty acts (5:21).

The actions that defied justice and righteousness included: “amassing of wealth (3:10-12; 15, 6:4), and the enjoyment of a life of luxury (4:1; 6:4-7) at the expense of the exploited classes.” (Hasel, 1999, p. 102).  This is frighteningly similar to the stories of immigrants struggling to provide food for their families at the risk of life (Daniel, 2010).  Still, Amos does not attack wealth; his aim is at the heart and actions of the people of God.  James L. Mays (1969) points out, “The wealth he denounces was specifically the result of oppression of the poor and corruption of the court” (p. 11).

In the United States most of us receive enough money to provide for more than our basic needs.  Unfortunately this limits our understanding of the needs of the oppressed and poor, especially if we are emotionally, spiritually and geographically disconnected.  Carroll (2009) speaks of a nation and culture that is reminiscent of our own “[Israel] was convinced that [God] was committed to blessing and protecting the life they knew. The problem was that God abhorred what was going on inside the world.  He ‘hated’ and ‘despised any religious activity divorced from justice (5:21)” (p. 44).  This sounds frighteningly familiar to the church abiding Christian proclaiming a god of patriotism over allegiance to God alone.  

God’s judgement is clear throughout the Book of Amos, with hope of restoration at the end.  If we understand the immutability of God, that his nature does not change, then we must heed to the wisdom of the prophet.  We must hear God’s distain and pending judgement for those who continue to walk in the ways of injustice and self righteousness.  God emphasizes, “I hate, I despise” the feast, offerings, sacrifices, and songs of worship offered to him. (5:21-23). The Hebrew describes how God’s senses spurn their offerings: I will not smell (5:21), I will not look (5:22), and I will not listen (5:23) (Carroll, 2005).  Amos speaks out against “those who are at ease in Zion” (6:1), who live in excess. Their comfortable lives leave them callous to the needs around so they “are not grieved over the ruin of Joseph!” (6:6).  Hasel (1991) argues that mishpat (justice) and sedeqah (righteousness) are the “root” of Amos social criticism and mishpat should be carried out “... within which one functions with community faithfulness” (p. 103-104).

Amos correct our view of worship, drawing us away from contemporary ideas of raised hands and good music as the equivalent of worship.  This type of worship is idolatrous, to praise and proclaim a deity that is different from the true God (4:4-13).  Still the people seek to serve a god that fits their standards. They offer to give him every burnt offering, grain offering, and song but he rejects them all, only asking that justice and righteousness be central to their practice of worship. (5:21- 27)

If we can realize the weight of the prophets message then we must ask how we should respond.  The general principles inferred from Amos must be sculpted and applied to the modern issue of immigration. First we must speak out against injustice.  God proclaimed judgement on Amaziah, the high priest of Bethel” for trying to silence his prophet (7:14-17).  Amaziah realized the weight of the message and called it a “conspiracy” against the crown (7:10).  He felt the threat of his security and retaliated by trying to silence Amos as he proclaimed justice and righteousness.  Micah also denounced the religious leaders, “...for never questioning the optimistic national ideology of victory and the injustices of the status quo” (3:5-12) (Carroll, 2009, p. 45). Second, we must care for the vulnerable.  From the prophetic point of view, it is impossible to profess to worship Yahweh and not exhibit care for others.  We must know these faces and listen to their stories to know the full story of immigration.  

Hopefully, you can see the weight of immigration is not simply a political matter.  It is effecting some of the most impoverished people within our geographical proximity. Despite your political affiliation my hope is that we can see the heart of the person, listen to their stories and offer help, despite fear of the law. If we were truly caring for the poor, displaced and sojourners in our land then we would know their stories and they would no longer become nameless faces to fear. “For the Hispanic, as for the majority culture, being God’s representative is both a privilege and a responsibility” (Carroll, 2008, p. 70). My prayer is that we do not take this responsibility lightly. 

References:

Carroll R, M.D. (2011, Oct. 19). The Book of Amos. Lecture presented in Understanding the Kingdom of Israel and Her Prophets, OT 511, course at Denver Seminary, Littleton, CO. 

Carroll R, M.D. (2008). Christians at the Border: Immigration, the church and the bible. Grand Rapids, Michigan: Baker Academic.

Carroll R, M.D. (2005). Can the prophets shed light on our worship wars?-How Amos Evaluaes Religious Ritual.” Stone-Campbell Journal, 8(2), 215-227. 

Carroll R, M.D. (2009). Failing the vulnerable: The prophets and social care. In J.A., Grant & D.A., Hughes (Eds.), Transforming the world? The gospel and social responsibility. (1st ed., pp. 35-50). Nottingham, England: Inter-Varsity Press. 

Daniel, B. (2010). Neighbor: Christian encounters with “illegal” immigration. Lousiville, Kentucky: John Knox Press. 

Dwoskin, E. (2011, November 11). Why Americans won't do dirty jobs. Bloomberg Businessweek. Retrieved from http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/45246594/ns/business-us_business/t/why-americans-wont-do-dirty-jobs/

Hasel, G.F. (1991). Understanding the book of Amos: Basic Issues in current interpretations. Grand Rapids, MI: Baker. 

Hays, J.D. (2010) The message of the prophets: A survey of the prophetic and apocalyptic books of the Old Testament. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan. 

Mays J.L. (1969). Amos: A Commentary. Philadelphia, Pennsylvania: Westminster.

Wolf, R. (2011, May 13). Medicare, Social Security running out of money faster. USA Today. Retrieved from http://content.usatoday.com/communities/theoval/post/2011/05/medicare-social-security-obama-geithner-republicans/1

Relationships: Sacrifice and Sanctification

Daily we are flooded with images and stories of relationship.  It becomes difficult to sort reality and fantasy. Girl meets boy and gets married. Compatible in all the right ways they seek pleasure in one another and enjoy a comfortable yet occasionally adventurous life. Mother has daughter. Daughter begins to resent mother for inconsistencies and unmet promises.  She gradually pushes away and works to form a "new beginning." The relationship becomes cold and cordial while bubbling with hostility under its shallow waters.

I could continue with the vague scenarios and the faces and roles could shift places like a deck of cards.  In the end my hope is to challenge the way we view the purpose of relationships.  Is the purpose of marriage compatibility and comfort?  Are we to write off all of those that do not meet our standards?  While there may be a place for these things in the name of boundaries, I challenge us to consider love and it's foolish wisdom that despises the proud.


Then said Almitra, Speak to us of Love.

   And he raised his head and looked upon 

the people, and there fell a stillness upon 

them. And with a great voice he said:

    When love beckons to you, follow him, 

    Though his ways are hard and steep. 

    And when his wings enfold you yield to

 him, 

    Though the sword hidden among his

pinions may wound you. 

    And when he speaks to you believe in

him, 

    Though his voice may shatter your dreams 

as the north wind lays waste the garden.

    For even as love crowns you so shall he 

crucify you. Even as he is for your growth

so is he for your pruning. 

    Even as he ascends to your height and 

caresses your tenderest branches that quiver

in the sun,

    So shall he descend to your roots and

 shake them in their clinging to the earth.

   Like sheaves of corn he gathers you unto 

himself. 

   He threshes you to make you naked.

   He sifts you to free you from your husks. 

   He grinds you to whiteness.

   He kneads you until you are pliant; 

   And then he assigns you to his sacred

fire, that you may become sacred bread for

God’s sacred feast.

   All these things shall love do unto you 

that you may know the secrets of your 

heart, and in that knowledge become a

fragment of Life’s heart.

   But if in your fear you would seek only 

love’s peace and love’s pleasure, 

   Then it is better for you that you cover

your nakedness and pass out of love’s 

threshing floor,

   Into the seasonless world where you 

shall laugh, but not all of your laughter, 

and weep, but not all of your tears.

- Kahlil Gibran, "The Prophet"

the thing about new years.

Without fail I have this tendency to hold on to the first day of the new year, trying to squeeze out all of the positive Mojo I can.  I rethink life, make grand plans, and conjure up a revolutionary resolution.  This year is no different.  Truly a part of me died not watching the ball drop or having a proper count down.  I substituted black eyed peas (not the music group) for asparagus and quinoa, and I failed on the first day of my "Bible in a Year" reading plan.

In my 26th year of life I have realized a pattern.  I'm fatalistically Type B, maybe even BB but I strive to be Type A. Though it's written in my name, it missed my DNA by a mile. Still, I live in a Type A world, and I struggle. I deeply struggle.  Ask anyone that knows me and they will tell you that I would be late for the rapture and I could care less about Dymos. On a low week I could even be mistaken for a dirty hippie.

Before I delve deeper I would like to make few disclaimers: 1)There are better personality theories than the pop psych "Type A/B", that lends itself to Seventeen magazine "Know Your Lover" type quizzes.  2) I have learned many glorious things from these "Type A" people.  I am better at paperwork, organizing the fridge, and I've decreased my tardiness to an average of 5-10 minutes.  

So as a result of this realization, my proclamation of this new year: "Cease striving and know that I am God"

strive |strīv|verb ( past strove |strōv|or strived ; past part. striven |strivən|or strived) [intrans. ]make great efforts to achieve or obtain something 

In Brennan Manning's "The Furious Longing of God" he writes a chapter titled "Union." I thought this was going to be a bridegroom wedding sort of chapter.  Instead, in this brief musing he surprised me with the harmonious melding of two little words: "rest" and "union."  He argues for John's theology as "abiding restful union."   In truth, so much of my striving is wrapped up in identity, fitting in, and finding my place. In all of my "striving" to meet the demands of an obnoxiously demanding world I forget the gift that I have to offer in my "Type Bness." In all of my striving I have forgotten my value and place of rest.

"Words such as union, fusion, and symbiosis hint at the ineffable oneness with Jesus that the apostle Paul experienced: 'It is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me' (Gal 2:20).  No human word is even remotely adequate to convey the mysterious and furious longing of Jesus for you and me to live in His smile and hang on His words.  But union comes close, very close; it is a word pregnant with a reality that surpasses understanding, the only reality worth yearning for with love and patience, the only reality before which we should stay very quite. . . I've decided that if I had my life to live over again, I would not only climb more mountains, swim more rivers, and watch more sunsets; I wouldn't only jettison my hot water bottle, raincoat, umbrella, parachute, and raft; I would not only go barefoot earlier in the spring and stay out later in the fall; but I would devote not one more minute to monitoring my spiritual growth. No, not one."  - Brennan Manning "The Furious Longing of God" 

"The entire process (of self-development) can be very exciting and entertaining. But the problem is there's no end to it. The fantasy is that if one heads in the right direction and just works hard enough to learn new things and grows enough to get self actualized, one will be there.  None of us is quite certain exactly where "there" is, but it obviously has something to do with resting. " - Gerald May as quoted by Manning.

So my new years resolution is to cease, in all of its useless ways, striving. to rest. to be free.

Chew On This

Below are lyrics from Josh Garrels song "Beyond the Blue" on his Album "Love & War & The Sea In Between... some food for the soul. enjoy. 

Beyond the Blue

Stand on the shores of a site unseen
The substance of this dwells in me
Cause my natural eyes only go skin deep
But the eye’s of my heart anchor the sea
Plumbing the depths to the place in between
The tangible world and the land of a dreams
Because everything ain’t quite it seems
There’s more beneath the appearance of things
A beggar could be king within the shadows,
Of a wing

And wisdom will honor everyone who will learn
To listen, to love, and to pray and discern
And to do the right thing even when it burns
And to live in the light through treacherous turns
A man is weak, but the spirit yearns
To keep on course from the bow to the stearn
And throw overboard every selfish concern
That tries to work for what can’t be earned
Sometimes the only way to return is to go,
Where the winds will take you

And to let go, of all, you cannot hold onto
For the hope, beyond,the blue

Yellow and gold as the new day dawns
Like a virgin unveiled who waited so long
To dance and rejoice and sing her song
And rest in the arms of a love so strong
No one comes unless they’re drawn
By the voice of desire that leads em’ along
To the redemption of what went wrong
By the blood that coveres the innocent one
No more separation
Between us.

So lift your voice just one more time
If there’s any hope may it be a sign
That everything was made to shine
Despite what you can see
So take this bread and drink this wine
And hide your spirit within the vine
Where all things will work by a good design
For those who will believe

And let go, of all, we cannot hold onto
For the hope, beyond, the blue

Said I let go, of all, I could not hold onto
For the hope, I have, in you

credits

Where my heart is at

There is something deep in my heart that is longing for this...

I am; therefore I see

I was fortunate enough to have my eyes opened a bit tonight.  A friend of mine put together a lesson on video gaming and hit on several points of why people become "gamers".  I'm not talking about the occasional hobby type but the obsessive lifestyle living-in-my-parents-basement image we get when we think of true gamers.  He spoke of a desire for community, power, achievement and safe intimacy.  We watched several testimonials of people that live their life through gaming.  They create an alternative beautiful or robust avatar to live in a world they fabricate and thrive in rather than the reality they merely exist in.  Some of these memories even become real.  One young woman spoke with excitement about the number of friends she has in her version of a real world.  Is this world that bad?

SEE ME!!! please see me, all of me... and still love me.  

This is the deaf scream that I heard from so many. 

Sure, there are exceptions but the harsh reality became so real.  So many of these people look for an alternative body to live in because we tell them they are not beautiful enough.  They look for achievement and power because we tell them they will never be enough.  You ask, "How can I tell them this! I have no part in it.  It's the media's fault."   I'm not proposing that as an individual we must rush out and rescue every hurting soul.  It's impossible.  As a Christian I'm learning that to "rescue" even one is not of my own.  I'm simply challenging that we begin to SEE the people we encounter.   I feel this so real in their lives because I've felt it in my own. 

I titled this "I am; therefore I see" because I have come to the realization that the more my personhood is intact the clearer my sight becomes.  When I have a sense of self and feel comfortable in being who my Creator designed me to be then I am better able to see and to love.  I am no fool to deny that my own fears and over-analysis (the occupational hazard of being a counselor) play into this cataract view.    

Herein lies the problem.  Being consumed in self and fear renders me unable to see others.  Other times I realize that I need to fit them into a box in order to understand them and feel safe.  Researchers call this a schema which is sometimes used to develop a fixed action pattern.  In other words, we try to fit someone in a box so we know how to act and react.  This is great when a shady character is about to mug you but it's unfortunate in relationship.  It cuts off the totality of the person and doesn't allow us to accept the fluidity of their personhood and/or character in a variety of situations.... sometimes their weak... sometimes their strong.  

There is a quote I heard a long time ago and I'm not sure of its author.  It say, "We see people as we are not as they are."  I've made it a point to burn this in my memory and try to live against it.  Sadly it rings true more often than not.  However, the more I live outside of my fears and the less I try to fit someone into a schema, the more I feel free to SEE them and to love them.   Maybe we sometimes fear seeing people because we're afraid we won't have the capacity to love them and maybe sometimes this is the reason we're afraid of being seen.   

Good old C.S. Lewis brings it home in his book The Screwtape Letters.  Uncle Screwtape teaches his demon nephew Wormwood how to corrupt relationships from the inside out.  His "pointers" are particularly directed to the home life but I believe they can be applicable in all relationships.  

Pointer # 1 - Keep his mind off the most elementary duties by directing it to the most advanced and spiritual ones

Pointer # 2 - It is no doubt, impossible to prevent his praying for his mother, but we have means of rendering the prayers innocuous. Make sure that they are always very 'spiritual', that he is always concerned with the state of her soul and never with her rheumatism.  

Pointer # 3 - Bring fully into the consciousness of your patient that particular lift of his mother's eyebrows which he learned to dislike in the nursery.  

Pointer # 4 - Your patient must demand that all his own utterances are to be taken at their face value and judged simply on the actual words, while at the same time judging all his mother’s utterances with the fullest and most oversensitive interpretation of the tone and the context and the suspected intention.  

The first time I read this a couple of years ago the simplicity of these truths made perfect sense.  I wish I could say it is always a part of my daily interactions.  However, there are many relationships I have that are painted with the fulfillment of these “pointers”.  My hope has been to heal those areas and be conscious enough to prevent them in the future.  A hope that in order to be fulfilled, grace is necessary.

This idea has been itching at me for quite some time.  Maybe years.  But I've never quite been able to scratch it (develop the concept this far). This is an area I’m working on so I am pleased to see this more fully, my heart more enlighten for a challenge.  My prayer is that I grow more in who I am and what I am created to be so I can see.   

I would love your thoughts on this topic.