Old Boxes

How can I convince someone of the deep love of our creator when she has no history with this far reaching, widely accepting, extremely loving God? How do I assure her there is nothing that can separate us from God's love?

My young friend has no history with my Jesus who isn't mad at her. She doesn't know my accepting God or even my neighbor's fundy God. I grew up on sweet tea and old school fundamentalism. I could quote Beth Moore and Romans 8:28. My new friend has no foundation from which to draw. I guess what I am trying to say is, on really tough days I start craving my box - the Jesus box that was a large part of my growing up years. This box is where things are concrete and answers can be found through early morning quiet times.

I've moved beyond my box, but was my life within its walls a necessary stop along the way? Is it possible to convince my young friend of a faith that moves mountains if I withhold from her those who believe those mountains are literal?

When she says, "It's too hard, this being a Christian. God must hate me," what should my counter be? This morning I pulled up youtube videos of Beth preaching about forgiveness. She spoke of letting go and giving things to God. She told listeners, "...no matter where you've been or what you've been through, you can be free." But I never heard her explain the nuts and bolts of finding freedom.

The answer is belief and community and good friends with patient ears and strong embraces. The answer is that God lives and moves and has being in each of us. The answer is in my being God to her and you being God to me. Immanuel, God with us, indwelling in us. The answer comes with years of just knowing because you know and God is.

How do I tell my young friend that without introducing a box? Because right now, if I thought the box would give her peace, I would pull it out of storage and climb in with her.
S

thanks to ohmann alianne for the photo.