Tenderness In Reverend Culberson's Definitions

As if reading her mind, the reverend went on to give her definition of love. “Love is what cultivates growth and development in any relationship, enriching us both separately and together. As love magnifies perfect individuality, freeing each to be their truest, most complete self, it also binds us to all that lives. So what makes such a unique connection flourish? Tenderness in safekeeping, a shared responsibility of needs, and the mutual commitment to care. When these are present between two of us, surely God is too.”
Tee realized she was holding her breath. There had been no specific mention of a man and a woman in Reverend Culberson’s description. Was the pastor actually suggesting that a relationship such as hers and Helen’s might be acceptable to the Lord Almighty? “Why would we be created with this ability if not to implicitly acknowledge the God in us each time we speak of love for another? Doesn’t love—this generous, open, offering of one’s self to another—offer us a reflection of what God has so freely given to each of us?” she heard the reverend say. Tee’s mind was reeling. Was that the reason she felt the way she did about Helen? Would loving her somehow help her understand more about God’s love?
“For those who believe that God is working in everyone, we know it is because God loves and cherishes everyone. …show more content…
Tee answered that she thought judging was how you gauged where you were not measuring up to what God expected of you. Then the reverend suggested that judgment was God’s job. “You don’t want to be playing God, do you Tee?” Tee couldn’t even count how many sermons she’d heard about damnation, but that idea didn’t seem to be in the reverend’s vocabulary. One thing was certain—the lady reverend didn’t talk like any preacher she’d ever known when they were in private, and this sermon hadn’t sounded a bit like the ones she was accustomed to,