Hyphen
/ˈhīfən/
noun
Definition: a symbol used to join two words together, or to show that a word has been divided into two parts at the end of one line and the beginning of the next.
(Cambridge Dictionary)
Amanda, a good friend, is studying Jewish/Christian relations in Rome and she just shared a copy of her latest assignment, for a course on theParting of the Ways, discussing the split between Jews and Christians.
Amanda in Phoenix
Group Study in Rome | Photo from Amanda’s Facebook page
Sometimes a word or a phrase, in a book, a conversation, a video, or even an academic paper, stops you in your tracks and surprised, you think, “This is a word for me…right now”.
She first heard the concept, hyphen living, while talking with a Rabbi in Israel.
Why did those words jump off the page for me? You would think that by now the question of identity is surely settled.
I also am a Jew, a follower of the Messiah, a Christian, living in the dichotomy, worshipping within the Anglican communion. Where do I fit, church or synagogue? Where is home?
And then I think of the others, multitudes hovering outside uniformity. Is there a peaceful place to settle?
Poster created by Baruch HaShem
Last Sunday I was invited to tell my story, via Zoom, with Baruch HaShem, a Messianic Congregation in Dallas Texas.
Daniel and Monica Valle and their 3 children were there, listening.
Two days later, they just happened to be traveling to California for a family wedding, passing Phoenix on their way!
Sydney, Jonah, Allan, Monica and Daniel in Phoenix.
They stopped by for a short visit and we shared stories.
Daniel, from Spain, living in the USA, heading with his family to Australia, said, “Identity is a journey”
Monica’s family background is Muslim, Armenian with a Jewish great-grandmother….
It was our first meeting but we felt an immediate bond, their presence was a benediction.
What was going on between us?