When I was adopted as a two-year-old, I went through a volatile time, like many foster children do, when they can't stay with their biological parents or family.
I was moved around 12 times before settling with the Stelters who raised me. Then, by age five, I went to various child psychologists and psychiatrists to help me with my behavioral problems. I was even put on liquid valium to calm me down, but according to my child welfare file, it didn't work that well. The file said that the only thing that seemed to calm me down was the love and acceptance of the Stelters.
When I reflect on the last 500 years of settlers coming to Canada and the United States, we as Indigenous People have been so resilient due to a love of life, family, and the Creator. After years of oppression, love keeps us going. Not all of my fellow people believe in the love of Creator Jesus, but the love of life and identity keeps them going. Love of culture or love of their community.
When we look at the holy scriptures that have formed the Bible, this entire collection of books and letters to God's people is one gigantic love letter to the human race. It says in so many ways, "I love you; I love you; I love you."
Christmas time marks the season when God spoke to the human race: "I'm going to send my one and only Son to be born of a virgin, conceived by the Holy Spirit, to say, 'I love you.'"
When Jesus died on the cross for the whole world's sins, he obeyed his heavenly Father to say, "I love you, I love you, I love you, I love you."
This message of love is available to all those who oppress people and look down upon them. This message of love is open to all those who are mad at the church and the people in the church because of abuse. This message of love is available to all those who were the abusers of children-the abusers of those different from them.
When a husband or wife cheats on each other, and their relationship is mended and grows, it's because of love. When a mother or father prays for their children and supports them no matter, their actions or how they live, this relationship stays intact because of love. When a child loves a parent who was neglectful during their formative years, this relationship continues because of love.
When followers of Jesus live the life of servants and disciples of Jesus, they do this because they have embraced the love of Jesus that's been extended to them. Not everyone lives out their faith in Jesus in the same way, but when a life of faith in Jesus is lived out to the fullest, it's because of the person's love that's extended back to the Creator of the universe.
An Indigenous person who's a follower of Jesus may be misunderstood by his or her family members because those people don't have a love of Jesus in their hearts. When those same family members say you're acting like a "white man," it's because they don't have the love of Jesus. When people say to non-traditional people, "You're not a natural 'Indian' because you're a Christian," the love of Jesus isn't there.
The love of Jesus the Creator is the central theme that can bring healing to your heart no matter the circumstances or situation. We all have a story. Sometimes we live like victims; sometimes, we don't-but the love of Creator Jesus will bring healing. We also don't always realize that this love of Jesus is best understood when it's manifested and extended from one human being to the next. Jesus uses people to transfer this love to each other.
My family's love helped me calm down and become more stable when I was a child. When I was an adult and wandered away from the faith, the love of Jesus waiting for me helped me turn things around, working its way from one person's life into mine-sometimes thorough music or a good sermon, sometimes through words of encouragement. Through it all, the great love of God through Jesus his Son made the difference.
Parry Stelter is originally from Alexander First Nation, part of Treaty Six Territory. He is an author, speaker, Bible teacher, and workshop facilitator. He is also a doctoral candidate in Contextual Leadership. Visit his website at http:/www.wordofhopeministries.ca.
