This is, yet again, Jim with Son #1. Having our first son was a lot like having a first child -- tons of pictures. And yet again, one of my many, many favorites. I have heard it said that if you just pray for God to be in control of your life, and then are willing to accept whatever He wills, things will be just fine.
REALLY?!! You really think so? Some people make Christianity sound so easy and simple .... so neat and tidy. Well, I beg to differ. And I should know. When Christians make such trite (though well-meaning, I'm sure) statements, I want to ask "Really?! What the hell has ever happened in your life that would give you the experience to say that?" Because I think I can guarantee you that anyone who has had their life turned completely upside down, anyone who has had their life ripped out from underneath them, anyone who has been knocked to the ground --- no, knocked into a huge, bottomless pit, will never say something like that.
There is nothing neat and tidy about life or about following Christ. And just because we daily TRY (I say "try" because if you've managed to succeed at this then you should definitely write a book to help out the rest of us) to turn everything over to God doesn't mean that everything will turn out "fine". Sometimes you can turn things over and still end up in a pit.
I used to think otherwise .... "before". I thought my life was neat and tidy. It seemed to be, mostly (as neat and tidy as it can by with 6 kids). So I have probably said those trite things. And if any one of you have ever been on the receiving end of those words ...... I'm very sorry.
I didn't know what I was talking about.
I know that I have had a very blessed life ..... "before" and "after". I know that I am still being blessed. Jim was a wonderful husband, father and provider. He did a great job. There are many women in my shoes who aren't as well provided for. I thank God and Jim for that every day. I did lose my best friend and soul-mate and heart, but things could be so, so much worse.
I say this so that you will know that I do see that side of my life. It isn't always as dark as it once was. Not always.
I'm not sure why I wrote this post (heck, I'm mostly never sure why I write anything!). I guess it's just to say, please be careful when you speak. Especially when giving your views on God and life and "why".
Sometimes we will never, ever know why.
4 comments:
I just had to comment on your post - mostly to say AMEN! Jesus Himself said we would have it hard - why would anyone come along and contradict that by saying it's all easy. And the "if you do this part" only adds guilt that you haven't done what you're supposed to, or jealousy because you think God is favoring another Christian over you. Seeking God's will for your life, repeatedly giving your live over to Him, will at best add a peace in your heart that He is in control even when everything feels out of control.
I second that emotion. Sometimes I think others make it sound so easy. Sometimes I think maybe I’m just not a mature Christian. Sometimes I think we’re all kidding ourselves thinking we’ll understand God. Sometimes I think ”I give up!” And sometimes I think I think too much…. “it has not yet been revealed”
I so absolutely love this picture. It is so awesome...that little guy looking up at his daddy with so much love...you just can't say enough about the kind of father Jim was. All six kids have the perfect example of what a dad should be. They are exceedingly fortunate.
I've been thinking about this post a lot and one of the things I think is how since these trite messages don't work even for Christians to Christians, then how would they possibly ever work for non-Christians? I deal with many non-Christians in science and journalism and relating the experience of my own faith is difficult in some ways, and not in others - but I've found that Christ has to be made relevant through very simple langauge, through love in action, through practical realities (like the Kenya experience) and not through words that don't really make "sense" (put your faith in God, and you'll be fine, for example). Scott Peck has said "All great truths are paradox" and I love that saying. We can be absolutely crushed and devastated and no words or anything will ever comfort us, and yet be blessed at the same time. Jesus was 100% God and 100% man. We are both saved 100% by grace, and yet faith without works is dead. Communion is Jesus true body and blood and at the same time bread and wine. These things can sort of make sense by comtemplating them but they are really things that only make sense when we "get it" in our heart through experience. Christianity is by no means a simple faith, nor does it provide super-simple answers to all life's issues(as I think CS Lewis said something like - life is very complex why would we expect a simple faith?). Christians who say trite things are probably trying to comfort, but in their own experience may not (yet), as you say, have been devastated by a tragic loss. Anyways... sorry to get all philosophical on you... but was just thinking out loud (or in writing?)
Post a Comment