During the summer of 2009, I was employed at a summer camp in Georgia. The staff had nights off and most of the time I headed to the staff cabin for a movie or late night hangout sessions. There was one particular guy I was interested in getting to know better. His name was Mateo, several years older than I and someone who was great with the campers. I was interested in hearing his story because Mateo was such a gentle loving person and carried himself differently.

He was reading a Harry Potter book in Spanish, so we spoke about languages and travel experiences and as they tend to do, this particular late night conversation turned to the subject of God. Mateo told me that he was a former seminary student who had recently renounced his beliefs and dropped out. He said he just couldn’t believe that if there was a God that he would damn humanity to hell for all eternity for doing things that were in our nature, i.e. what Christians refer to some actions as sin.

I was asked to consider Jesus as only the judge of humanity; one who lets people join His side and damns everyone else to hell for eternity. The example he gave was what if the summer camp where we were both employed at the time was suddenly taken over by someone who promised to kill every single man, woman and child if they did not join him.

The dilemma that this young man seemed to be experiencing was loyalty to the human race. He went on to vehemently explain that he would rather stand by the group and die than submit to this person.

At the time, I actually was moved by his passion, although deeply saddened by his viewpoint. It wasn’t until years later that I began to understand my sadness that night. I realized that I was upset because I agreed with him. I too would much rather die with my community than submit to a person who is cruel, sweeping, without compassion and appreciation for life.

It is very difficult for me to stand on a hard line sometimes. I feel pain when I think about people going to hell; people I know and love, hate, are indifferent to or have never met. I don’t want anyone to go there, ever, for any reason. I want to live in a world where all of creation acknowledges and tries to appreciate redemption. But, we don’t, so I can’t. I am glad I am not in charge of the universe though, I am too rash in my behavior, speech and thoughts; and there is entirely too much to try and begin to understand. So, I struggle and wrestle with my faith. This I suppose this is a very watered down version of what God must feel as well, especially when it comes to humanity.

Partly because of the culture and traditional background that I grew up in and partly because of selfish desire, I imagine God and think of Him in terms of a father. Because of this, it seems only natural that He would wrestle with Himself as any parent would over the choices He makes involving His children, but He is also God. I have to actually remind myself of that at times… of His power, His wisdom and His will. He is God and we are not.  What must the wrestling of the Lord be like? Does He question Himself or simply take the right and just action because He is Righteousness and Justice?

The second scenario that Mateo proposed was the idea of the Father sacrificing the Son. He stated that God’s choice made no sense whatsoever when it came to Jesus. He argued that if there really was a trinity of these three persons and God had the choice; why did He not go to the cross instead of sending His only son, Jesus, to be beaten, tortured and put to death.  Mateo spoke of the son he might have someday and how he would do anything to protect that child, even if it meant dying for him. He said it would be an easy choice to die for his child and that he wouldn’t even think to hesitate. It was easy to see that his heart ached just speaking about a child that he may or may not ever have. This made so much sense to me, as I would very much like to be a parent myself someday.

What I did not consider was the idea that God did not hesitate. God is Jesus and Jesus is God. The Father and the Son are equal. I do not have children, but I would think that it would be much more difficult to watch my own child die than to suffer and be killed myself. God did both. The Father, for the sake of redeeming His adopted children (humanity), had to stand by and watch the Son be slaughtered by them and the Son submitted to the will of God and sacrificed Himself as much as the Father sacrificed His only Son. It’s a bit circular, but definitely worth considering.

My heart ached for Mateo’s choices all those summers ago and while I did not have an answer to his question of “Why?” then, I do now and I hope he has found some answers of his own too.

As with all graduates everywhere, this is my very favorite question. I am not sure about the rest of the class of 2011, but I knew exactly what I wanted to do, eat.

In 1825, French lawyer, Anthelme Brillat-Savarin made his mark on the world with his The Physiology of Taste. “The book is less a treatise on cuisine or on culinary arts and more a witty compendium of random chit-chat and precepts, of anecdotes and observations of every kind that might enhance the pleasures of the table—with only an occasional recipe being offered.”  Monsieur Brillat-Savarin most quoted remark is: Tell me what you eat, I’ll tell you who you are.

So, with this in mind, I set off with my parents to celebrate my graduation from college at one of my favorite places, The English Rose in Chattanooga, Tennessee. The English Rose is a British tea shop that opened in foyer of the Grand Hotel in 1997. Their menu consists of an array of treats and delicacies ranging from bangers and mash, fresh scones and biscuits to over 200 varieties of tea.

On this most auspicious of occasions, I was eager to partake in a good meal. I promptly ordered the cottage pie, which is ground sirloin with mixed vegetables and gravy baked inside flaky pastry, topped with mashed potatos with a side of steamed peas, accompanied by a crisp salad complete with their delectable homemade herb vinagerette and a fresh crusty roll. SO GOOD!

We spent the next hour and a half eating, drinking cups of hot tea and just enjoying each other’s company. The chairs were comfortable and the tables a good height, although it is a bit crowded in their small alcove of a restaraunt. I think this is cozy as long as your party is no bigger than 4. They do take reservations for parties above 6, which I would highly recommend doing if planning your own festivities at The English Rose. And expect to use a bit of patience because this is not a whip it out of the freezer and serve establishment, but rather a made fresh meal everytime. Our service was fine, but not great.

We finished the afternoon with a sherry trifle which is layers of sponge cake and raspberries soaked in sherry, topped with custard cream and almond flakes. Just the right amount of dessert to bring the meal to a close and we all walked away satisfied; myself especially considering my dad picked up the bill.

All in all, The English Rose is a delightful experience and I give it a 4 out of 5 stars. Go and see for yourselves if you wish. The English Rose is located on the corner of 14th and Market Street, right across from the Chattanooga Choo-Choo and opened Monday through Saturday 11 am to 5 pm. Cheers!