Take a moment and think about someone you love very much. Now, describe them in one word. That’s very difficult if not impossible. You were probably thinking of your spouse or your parent(s) or one of your children or a sibling. The endearing qualities, the virtues of soul and strengths of character and shared life experiences are what probably come to mind. And that quickly leads us to share stories of what they mean to us, and why.

Now, think about God. You are more likely to talk about how you experience God rather than describe this unique relationship in one word or phrase.

When we first became aware of the world around us, and our place in it, wonder was born in us as we realized that all of this had been made or created by someone. We think of God first as a creator or parent we call Father. As we grow older we discover that not all people are “nice” or caring and that some people are responsible for some very bad deeds. Reflecting on that, we understand that we could have been part of the evil in the world.  But God saved us from that and we think of Him as a brother, a Saviour, a Redeemer whom we call the Son. And as we reach out to others in compassion and care, and fall in love, and bring life into the world and feel the pain of loss we know that God is present in yet another way…as a Consoler and Helper and Sanctifier, the Holy Spirit.

Three different persons yet the same God and the love that sustains that relationship we call the Trinity. It is what God wants for each of us and all of us. That sounds simple enough so try not to get caught up in making it complicated and impossible!