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It has been noted that St. Augustine, an African bishop in the fourth century, pleaded, chatted and even gossiped with God. For Augustine, God was his friend.

Augustine wanted to understand the Truth. He wanted this with his whole heart. He wanted to live by the Truth and rest in the Truth. Augustine had a deep faith that God, who is the Truth, is constantly in relationship with us – whenever we ask a question, whenever we talk to a friend, and whenever we talk to an enemy. Jesus is in all of our words – helping us to understand, use, and listen to words. Augustine believed and taught that God has a friendly heart. God wants to help us understand more and relate better with others.

We can trust that God is with us whenever we are talking with someone, reading something, searching for answers, or trying to share a point. We can rely on God, who is with us. That does not mean every conversation will go well, or that we will always understand and be understood. But it does mean that God is always there.

This message is excerpted from “God has a friendly heart” by Jennifer Hockenbery from the July 28, 2024, blog of the Women of the ELCA. Today we commemorate Augustine, Bishop of Hippo, 430 and Moses the Black, monk, martyr, c. 400.