Dear Christian, For the love of God, Would you let Me say something? I mean, give it a rest already. I feel like whenever you call, it’s less of a conversation And more of just you thought vomiting into thin air While I sit up here twiddling my thumbs and waiting for my turn. And yes, in one way, I suppose I am kind of your therapist Along with being your omnipotent Creator and sustainer, But what good’s a therapist If you never quit talking Long enough to hear any kind of response? And really, out of the two of us, Who’s words should really be pulling more weight, Yours, or the Lord of the universe Who called all things into existence with His word alone? But look, now I’m sounding petty, Which is not very becoming of an All-Supreme Deity. Really though, kid, I love you and I love hearing about your days, And your struggles, your hopes, your family and your friends. But if you got together with your family or friends And entirely dominated every conversation the way you do with me Then you probably wouldn’t really be that surprised When they stopped inviting you over as often, Would you? But that’s what really gets to me: You’re not that way with them, So why are you that way with me? When you pray Why do you treat it like you’re the star of some theater production, Standing alone on a stage and delivering Yet another soliloquy for the audience of Heaven? Why do you continually come before me, Your God, Who is supposedly so high and exalted above you, In order to stand on your soapbox And spew your news and views without interruption, Before walking off and going right back to your day to day business? Would it even matter if I wasn’t here at all? If I just walked away from the phone the next time you called And let you talk it out with yourself, Would you even notice? Most times I’m not sure you would. Ok… I’m sorry. Let me take a step back. I didn’t write you just to rain shame down on you. But it’s because I love you That I get so frustrated and yes, deeply disheartened When I think about how one-sided our relationship has become. All these problems you keep bringing before me— Don’t you know that I, The All-knowing and All-seeing One, am #1) Well aware of all that you tell me Long before you begin speaking and #2) Currently sitting on a treasure trove Of wisdom, solutions, and peace beyond all understanding That I am ready to share with you If you would only Stop, Open your ears and hands, And receive them? And this peace beyond all understanding, I don't mean only that my peace is so amazing That it is unfathomable to you, I mean also that this peace of mine becomes yours by the very act Of giving up your trust in your own understanding— My peace beyond all understanding becomes yours When wrap up your perpetual inner monologue And sit, Ask, Listen, And wait; My peace becomes yours when you put to rest All the plans and schemes that race around your head By placing them out of your hands and into mine— My peace becomes yours When you turn off the TV in your brain That endlessly channel surfs through the hurricane Of scenes, sounds, and words that the world fills you with And gives them all up — Gives up the world and all its spectacles to instead Come before me in the stillness And listen. And once you’ve made a habit of this kind of listening, Don’t you know that I would soon bring stillness To that sleepless storm that rages in your heart and mind— The storm that, I know, generates your many restless and all consuming thoughts, The very ones that have stifled our dialogue for so long And fractured our friendship, along with your peace of mind? Oh, if you only valued your own peace enough— If you were only honest about your need and your inability to rewire your own mind Then you would desire to make the time to listen and rest in my presence more often— Then, then my still small voice would slowly but surely Become more audible. And yes, I know how ironic it might seem That the King of Kings and Lord of Lords is so soft spoken, But that’s just generally how I operate. And there’s a way that my rest comes naturally When you begin regularly talking with me on my level— In softer tones and with a more patient ear. Because when that kind of patient dialogue Becomes commonplace between you and I And your own heart becomes the place where my peace resides Then the sanctuary of the church becomes portable! Then rest becomes available to you At all times and in all places, Whenever you choose to open up with me. And you and I, too, Naturally come to a greater understanding of one another. Well, you know what I mean. So, you see, I don’t command somber reverence before me For my sake only, but for yours. I mean, really, my own peace is eternal and unshakeable, It’s you who keep needing to come to me to vent! So kiddo, Take it easy. Let tomorrow worry about itself, And spend some quality time today with your Old Man. I love you. Sometimes it may seem like I’m just berating you— Telling you to do this or that, but that’s not it. Everything I say, I say because I ache to see you Full of life and peace. I promise. Sorry about the distance. I should be arriving any day now. Talk soon. Love, [insert ineffable name of G-d] (aka Dad)
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