Letter to a 6-year Old Girl from God (Sort of...)

A six-year-old Scottish girl named Lulu wrote a letter to God. It was brief but to the point:


“To God, How did you get invented?”

Lulu's father is not a believer, but sends Lulu to a Scottish Church primary ("elementary") school. Rather than ignoring her letter or choosing to answer it himself, Lulu's father sent her letter to various church leaders-- the Scottish Episcopal Church and the Presbyterians, who sent no reply;and the Scottish Catholics, who sent a theologically complex reply. Thankfully, he also sent it to the Archbishop of Canterbury (Anglican), Rowan Williams, who sent this sweet letter in reply:

"Dear Lulu,

Your dad has sent on your letter and asked if I have any answers. It’s a difficult one! But I think God might reply a bit like this –

‘Dear Lulu – Nobody invented me – but lots of people discovered me and were quite surprised. They discovered me when they looked round at the world and thought it was really beautiful or really mysterious and wondered where it came from. They discovered me when they were very very quiet on their own and felt a sort of peace and love they hadn’t expected.

Then they invented ideas about me – some of them sensible and some of them not very sensible. From time to time I sent them some hints – specially in the life of Jesus – to help them get closer to what I’m really like.

But there was nothing and nobody around before me to invent me. Rather like somebody who writes a story in a book, I started making up the story of the world and eventually invented human beings like you who could ask me awkward questions!’

And then he’d send you lots of love and sign off. I know he doesn’t usually write letters, so I have to do the best I can on his behalf. Lots of love from me too.

+Archbishop Rowan"

If you're looking for a complex, tightly put-together apologetic, this is certainly not it. If you're looking for a theologically comprehensive exposition of the Gospel complete with atonement theories, this is not it. This is written to a 6-year old. It is simple and humble and filled with tenderness. It is warm and personal not abstract and argumentative. There is no shaming of the girl for her question or the phrasing of it or the presupposition behind it. The Archbishop "sees" the little girl and writes of a God who "sees" her too.
Maybe there is something to learn from this approach...

Story courtesy of http://www.glennpackiam.typepad.com/

Life's Little Lessons (I love alliteration)

I've wanted to come back on and blog a bit for awhile, but I couldn't bring myself to. So many things going on, so much "upheaval" (for lack of a better word) in my life, I probably would of just ranted and raved on this things for 3 hours. So maybe now, I'll be more succint.

I've been learning a lot over the past couple of months. There are two ways of learning - the easy way and the hard way. Unfortunately for me, all of my learning lately has been the hard way. But if you think you can get away with not learning the "hard way" for your entire life, you're in for a surprise, because that's what I thought. Or at least what I was banking on.

Sorry for being vague.

I think the most important thing I learned is that truth is paramount.

Truth.

What a crazy, complex word in only one syllable. Yet, it is this word that will either make your life the most rewarding, blessed life imaginable, or the most miserable, pathetic life possible. Jesus once said that the truth will set you free. Very cliche, I know. But He couldn't have been more accurate. It's insane to believe how deceptive and betraying secrets, lies, and falsities are to one's livelihood. It can destroy you. And while some things can destroy your from the outside in, and others from the inside out, dishonesty destroys you from all directions. And you won't see it coming.

So how does one live a life of truth and transparency? It's easy, actually. Here's a simple Truth for Idiots, step-by-step guide in making your life awesome.

1) Baby steps.
In honor of Bill Murray, start simple. Choose to be straightforward about the most mundane of things. If you can be honest about little stuff, it will develop a habit of being honest about the big stuff

2) Realize how insignificant and inadequate you are.
This probably should have been #1. Pride is a real truth killer. If you're in the mindset that you can handle everything on your own and you don't need help, you're screwed. As soon as you realize you need help - from God, your mom, your rabbi, your pen pal - then you have a good shot.

3) Man up.
You have to own up to your mistakes. Take responsibility. Admit you messed up. Ask for forgiveness. And if you ask for forgiveness, guess what? You'll get it. Want to know why? Because #4 is as important as the rest.

4) Realize that the people around you are on your side.
Whether it's your folks, your significant other, or your goldfish, they actually care about you and want the best for you. These are the people that, (here comes a Bruno Mars reference) would catch a grenade for you, or (and some Mat Kearney) would take a bullet for you. They will always be there to help, support, and encourage; never hinder or discourage. Just understand that if you push them away too much, you'll wake up one day and they'll all be gone.


That's it. Pretty easy, right? I sure hope so, because I need to abide by this more than anyone. I'll keep you posted on how it goes.


Fin.