Have you ever had a genuine, long-lasting, close relationship in which you have never had a misunderstanding, an argument, a fight or if you’re in the South an ‘oh, hell no …’ moment or if you‘re in Youngstown an ‘oh no you didn’t! (pronounced: o no you Di'n't!)?

My relationships tend to run rather smoothly. I’m easy going and don’t care for a lot of drama. Yet every close and long-lasting relationship I’ve had has had its moments of misunderstanding or a quarrel - and there have been the rare gloves off throw downs.

Such events are not necessarily indicators of a poor relationship - they may actually be signs of a healthy, growing relationship; one in which both parties care enough to confront perceived or actual issues and work towards a better understanding and connection.

I wonder if the true quality of a relationship can be authenticated if it has yet to work through an acid test of misunderstanding, a quarrel or a fight.

I’m in a lovers quarrel with God.

I have been for some time.

This may sound really silly to some or even sacrilegious to others. I’m okay with that. Honestly, it doesn’t really matter that much to me what people think about me and God. They get it or they don’t. They get me or they don’t.

I was reminded today by two friends of mine that this is an okay place to be and that I am in good company. One was Susan Isaacs, actor, comedienne and author or Angry Conversations with God, as I listened to part of the podcast interview I did with her a few years ago. Also by Mike Morrell in a comment he made on the reposting of one of his blogs. Abraham, Jacob/Israel, Moses and David are rather good company, I’d say.

As I was reminded by my friend Brandon Mouser a couple days ago: every true relationship requires the investment and activity of both parties. It cannot be one-sided effort. There must be exchange or it is not a genuine relationship.

God and I are in a quarrel … there are misunderstandings that we’re working on, some disappointments and some anger that need to be hashed out … but at least it is a lovers quarrel.