Dear Friends – Lovers and Seekers of the Mystery of God – Celebrants of the Sacrament of Life!
Sometimes a story really helps. This story made me howl with laughter. Then it made me really think. Who knows what it will do for you? Consider reading the story slowly and aloud to yourself.
“Little Carol came into the kitchen where her mother was making dinner. Her birthday was coming up and she thought this was a good time to tell her mother what she wanted. ‘Mom, I want a bike for my birthday.’ Now, little Carol had been getting into trouble at school and at home. Carol’s mother asked her if she thought she deserved to get a bike for her birthday. Little Carol, of course, thought she did. Carol’s mother, being a Christian woman, wanted her to reflect on her behavior over the last year. So she asked Carol to write a letter to God and say why she deserved a bike for her birthday. Little Carol stomped up the steps to her room and sat down to write God a letter.
LETTER #1: Dear God: I have been a very good girl this year, and I would like a bike for my birthday. I want a red one. Your friend, Carol.
Carol knew this wasn’t true. She had not been a very good girl this year, so she tore up the letter and started over.
LETTER #2: Dear God: This is your friend Carol. I have been a pretty good girl this year, and I would like a read bike for my birthday. Thank you, Carol.
Carol knew this wasn’t true either. She tore up the letter and started again with a little more bargaining.
LETTER #3: Dear God: I know I haven’t been a good girl this year. I am very sorry. I will be a good girl if you just send me a red bike for my birthday. Thank you. Carol.
Carol knew, even if it were true, this letter was not going to get her a bike. By now, she was very upset. She went downstairs and told her mother that she wanted to go to church. Carol’s mother thought her plan had worked because Carol looked very sad. ‘Just be home in time for dinner,’ her mother said.
Carol walked down the street to the church and up to the altar. She looked around to see if anyone was there. She picked up the small statue of the Virgin Mary, slipped it under her jacket, and ran out of church, down the street, into her house, and back up to her room. She shut the door and sat down to write another letter.
LETTER #4: God: I GOT YOUR MAMA. IF YOU WANT TO SEE HER AGAIN, SEND THE BIKE. SIGNED, YOU KNOW WHO.”
This story is from Integral Christianity: The Spirit’s Call to EvolveImage may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.
by the Rev. Paul R. Smith who applies Ken Wilber’s Integral Theory in all of its dimensions to Christianity.
Rev. Smith goes on to say: “Bargaining with God represents a tribal stage consciousness that is still with us today and not just with kids. Little Carol’s mother was also teaching Carol how to bargain with a tribal God who grants favors to good kids and withholds favors from the bad kids, even punishing them.”
As you reflect on your theology, how would you describe it?
Theology matters – Are other people safe with your theology? Are you safe?
The theology here with Mary Oliver is open, inclusive, accepting, honoring all – with reverence for all. This is more like the message of Jesus in whose way I seek to live my life.
Please also read to slowly and aloud to yourself, these words from Paul Tillich, a theologian.
“Grace strikes us when we are in great pain and restlessness. It strikes us when we walk through the dark valley of a meaningless and empty life. It strikes us when we feel that our separation is deeper than usual, because we have violated another life, a life which we loved, or from which we were estranged. It strikes us when our disgust for our own being, our indifference, our weakness, our hostility, and our lack of direction and composure have become intolerable to us. It strikes us when, year after year, the longed-for perfection of life does not appear, when the old compulsions reign within us as they have for decades, when despair destroys all joy and courage. Sometimes at that moment a wave of light breaks into our darkness, and it is as though a voice were saying: “You are accepted. You are accepted, accepted by that which is greater than you, and the name of which you do not know. Do not ask for the name now; perhaps you will find it later. Do not try to do anything now; perhaps later you will do much. Do not seek for anything; do not perform anything; do not intend anything. Simply accept the fact that you are accepted!”
Grace and Peace
Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.
Image may be NSFW.Clik here to view.
