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“Mamma, will I go to Hell if I keep watching “I Love Lucy?"
“Huh? Where’d you get that idea from, baby girl?"
“School. Mrs. Lewis said it was not something Jesus would approve of."
As I look into my daughter’s confused eyes, I draw her
closer to me and gently whisper, “Baby girl, I’ll tell you what I think."
“What, Mamma?"
“Every time you and I watch “I Love Lucy," I betcha Jesus is
sitting right between us and is laughing His head off… especially when Lucy
plans all her schemes with Ethel."
“I also believe that there have been many ballads,
symphonies and Broadway plays that have received applause from the Heavens. I
believe that His children amaze Him and give Him joy and… ‘something to talk
about.’"
With a giggle, Laura asks, “Mamma, can I ask you something
else?"
“Sure, what’s on you mind, baby girl?"
“Do you think Jesus would be interested if I wanted to be a
veterinarian when I grow up?"
“Oh, sweetheart, yes! Jesus is interested in everything
about you especially all of
your dreams! You are His “baby girl" too
and He wants to be included in every part of your life!"
As I watch my daughter happily grab an “I Love Lucy" dvd,
I think about her dilemma of having me as her mother.
I suppose my crime is that I have never longed to discover
God…
I’ve always known and loved Him since I was a child.
I never believed that God intended our relationship with Him
to be complicated; I believe man has over intellectualized what is meant to be
the purest form of Love.
In this world He tenderly created for us, there is much to
enjoy. When we can acknowledge ourselves as being cherished by the King, we are
free to receive all the beauty and culture of this world in gratitude. It is my
belief that the world is evil only when we become enslaved by it.
The truth of belonging to the King allows us to celebrate
life and also let go of what distracts, confuses and jeopardizes the Spirit
within each of us.
The problem, I think, is that His children don’t believe
they are genuinely loved. We are a restless people who are anxious and never
really satisfied. Our compulsive “busyness" unconsciously seeks the approval of
“man" and not God’s. Through our quests, we “hope" that some person, place or
thing will fill the feeling of well being we inwardly so desire.
This is the road to spiritual exhaustion and spiritual
death.
The “truth" in all of our lives is that we were loved long
before our parents, friends and mates. Be still and listen:
“I have called you by name from the very beginning. You are
mine and I am yours. You are my Beloved, on you my favor rests. I have molded
you in the depths of the earth and knitted you together in your mother’s womb.
I have carved you in the palms of my hands and hidden you in the shadow of my
embrace. I look at you with infinite tenderness and care for you with a care
more intimate than that of a mother for her child. I have counted every hair on
your head and guided you at every step. Wherever you go, I go with you, and wherever
you rest, I keep watch. I will give you food that will satisfy all your hunger
and drink that will quench all your thirst. I will not hide my face from you.
You know me as your own as I know you as my own. You belong to me. I am your
father, your mother, your sister, your lover, and your spouse… yes, even your
child… wherever you are I will be. Nothing will separate us. We are one." (Life
of the Beloved, Henri J.M. Nouwen. pps
36-37)
Once we realize that we are God’s “Beloved" and that He
longs for us, then man can no longer compete with that Love. Thus begins a love
affair that is pure and eternal. Life no longer becomes a “test" for survival
but a gift to be cherished. Our quest to “be the best that we can" is no longer
about ego but rather a gift of gratitude for our King, our Lord.
Although spiritually we are not of this world, life is an
opportunity to celebrate who we are, affirm our own spiritual nature and say
“yes" to God.
The true mystery of God is that He wants to be loved. Jesus offers us countless chances to let Him into
our lives, hearts and souls. Saying “yes" to our Lord begins our spiritual
life; our journey of inner truth.
It is then, and only then, that our life becomes a divine journey to express
our love to Him.
At every point of our journey, we have the choice to say
“yes" or “no."
It is my prayer that this New Year brings more souls saying
“yes" to our King. The world is filled with too many dark forces that are violent and
destructive. The Spirit of Jesus counteracts all division and unites.
In unity for everyone, I give thanks this New Year, to Jesus
Christ with a very grateful heart.
Give thanks with a grateful
heart
Give thanks unto the Holy One
Give thanks because He's
given Jesus Christ, His Son
Give thanks with a grateful
heart
Give thanks unto the Holy One
Give thanks because He's
given Jesus Christ, His Son
And now let the weak say,
"I am strong"
Let the poor say, "I am
rich
Because of what the Lord has
done for us"
And now let the weak say,
"I am strong"
Let the poor say, "I am
rich
Because of what the Lord has
done for us" — Don Moen |
