Whatever our faith conviction or lack thereof, or our complete indifference to the power and presence of the Almighty, it is impossible to estrange ourself from God. God is the creator of the universe, the giver of life to every child of God’s creation, the inexhaustible source of love in this world and beyond.

   We may turn our back on God, but God never turns away from us, “Where can I go from your spirit? Or where can I flee from your presence? If I ascend to heaven, you are there; if I make my bed in Sheol, you are there. (Psalm 139:7-8). Since the beginning of creation, the faith of humankind in the power and presence of God has been tried and tested. Whatever our separation, no estrangement is hopeless.  

   If we pay attention, we see people every day who are homeless. Each is a beloved child of God, each is a reflection of the image of God, “So God created humans in his image, in the image of God he created them” (Genesis 1:27). Whatever the reason, cause, or circumstance, those who live within the parameters and structure of society yet struggle to meet their basic human needs each day know the lived reality of estrangement.

   There is a small median at the intersection of a neighborhood street and a major highway that I pass by almost every day on the way to work. The scruffy, neglected patch has a sad, unkempt tree and a tenacious cactus snarled with trash, leaves, and debris. On this small wasteland at an important corner, homeless people stand with signs that ask for help. One day I noticed a man whose message tugged at my heart.

   His sign said that he was homeless because he had been in prison. His sign said that he was looking for work. I drove through the intersection but made a U-turn at the first opportunity. I went around the block and returned to the intersection to respond to his apparent need for help. Through the car window, I handed him a bill. To my surprise, he reached into his backpack and gave me a neatly folded piece of paper. He asked me to read it when I had time. When I got to the office, I unfolded the letter and read this message, written on lined paper in neat penmanship,

     "I would like to say I appreciate whatever gesture you gave me even if the gesture was only a smile. I have nothing to smile about until someone smiles at me first and then I smile because the only response to a smile is a smile. When someone laughs at you it may create a frown or a confused blank expression but a smile creates a smile every time. Try it!!

     Some people will never support you because they’re afraid of what you may become. I can’t tell you the key to success. But the key to failure is trying to please everybody. I matured off pain not age. If the goal sets you apart from the crowd, stay alone. Being alone for a while is dangerous. It’s addicting once you see how peaceful it is. You don’t want to deal with people anymore. When you learn to survive alone, you survive everything.

     A hungry stomach, an empty pocket and a broken heart can teach the best lessons of life. Pain changes people. It makes you trust less, overthink more, and shut people out. Pain will leave once it has finished teaching you. I don’t regret the things I’ve done. I regret the things I never had the chance to do. Some people measure time in seconds, minutes, days, and even years. I measure time by missing my daughter.

     I knew there would not be enough time at this light for me to properly ‘thank you’ so I wrote this to thank you. It’s easy to forget someone who says ‘thank you’ but hard to forget a written ‘thank you’.  Respectfully, Eric" 

   We live our days in pursuit of a self-determined life. We see ourself as independent, self-reliant, and capable—until we are not. At some time, whether by outward force or personal circumstance, we are reduced to a state of helplessness. Too often we turn to God only as a last resort. When one we love dies, grief distorts our sense of place in the world. The estrangement of grief brings us to our knees.

   When we separate ourself from God, God does not weaponize love and use it against us. Love is the essence of God. The love of God is not self-serving nor does it seek to possess or control. The love of God never hesitates or falters. It is constant, steadfast, and unconditional. Because God loves us, God is for us. There is no estrangement in all of creation that can separate us from the love of God.

In this is love, not that we loved God but that he loved us.   
1 John 4:10