God Lives Under the Bed

Just got this from my wonderful sister in Ohio. Just had to pass it along. Thanks sis.

I envy Kevin. My brother Kevin thinks God lives under his bed. At least that's what I heard him say one night. He was praying out loud in his dark bedroom, and I stopped outside his closed door to listen. "Are you there, God?" he said. "Where are you? Oh, I see. Under the bed."

I giggled softly and tiptoed off to my own room. Kevin's unique perspectives are often a source of amusement. But that night something else lingered long after the humor. I realized for the first time the very different world Kevin lives in.

He was born 30 years ago, mentally disabled as a result of difficulties during labor. Apart from his size (he's 6-foot-2), there are few ways in which he is an adult. He reasons and communicates with the capabilities of a 7-year-old, and he always will.

He will probably always believe that God lives under his bed, that Santa Claus is the one who fills the space under our tree every Christmas and that airplanes stay up in the sky because angels carry them.

I remember wondering if Kevin realizes he is different. Is he ever dissatisfied with his monotonous life? Up before dawn each day, off to work at a workshop for the disabled, home to walk our cocker spaniel, return to eat his favorite macaroni-and-cheese for dinner, and later to bed. The only variation in the entire scheme is laundry, when he hovers excitedly over the washing machine like a mother with her newborn chick. He does not seem dissatisfied. He lopes out to the bus every morning at 7:05, eager for a day of simple work. He wrings his hands excitedly while the water boils on the stove before dinner, and he stays up late twice a week to gather our dirty laundry for his next day's laundry chores.

And Saturdays-oh, the bliss of Saturdays! That's the day my Dad takes Kevin to the airport to have a soft drink, watch the planes land, and speculate loudly on the destination of each passenger inside. "That one's goin' to Chi-car-go!" Kevin shouts as he claps his hands. His anticipation is so great he can hardly sleep on Friday nights.

And so goes his world of daily rituals and weekend field trips. He doesn't know what it means to be discontent. His life is simple.

He will never know the entanglements of wealth of power, and he does not care what brand of clothing he wears or what kind of food he eats.

His needs have always been met, and he never worries that one day they may not be.
His hands are diligent. Kevin is never so happy as when he is working. When he unloads the dishwasher or vacuums the carpet, his heart is completely in it.

He does not shrink from a job when it is begun, and he does not leave a job until it is finished.

But when his tasks are done, Kevin knows how to relax.

He is not obsessed with his work or the work of others.

His heart is pure.

He still believes everyone tells the truth, promises must be kept, and when you are wrong, you apologize instead of argue.

Free from pride and unconcerned with appearances, Kevin is not afraid to cry when he is hurt, angry or sorry.

He is always transparent, always sincere. And he trusts God.

Not confined by intellectual reasoning, when he comes to Christ, he comes as a child. Kevin seems to know God - to really be friends with Him in a way that is difficult for an "educated" person to grasp. God seems like his closest companion.

In my moments of doubt and frustrations with my Christianity, I envy the security Kevin has in his simple faith. It is then that I am most willing to admit that he has some divine knowledge that rises above my mortal questions. It is then I realize that perhaps he is not the one with the handicap. I am.

My obligations, my fear, my pride, my circumstances - they all become disabilities when I do not trust them to God's care.

Who knows if Kevin comprehends things I can never learn? After all, he has spent his whole life in that kind of innocence, praying after dark and soaking up the goodness and love of God.

And one day, when the mysteries of heaven are opened, and we are all amazed at how close God really is to our hearts, I'll realize that God heard the simple prayers of a boy who believed that God lived under his bed.

Kevin won't be surprised at all!

The Kingdom of Heaven is Like a Race Through the House

My precious little princess (aka Greta) has many enjoyments, even at the mature age of 2. One of them is singing. Another is racing. With two older brothers to try and catch all the time, as soon as she could walk, she began to run and still loves it. One of her greatest events is to stand at one one end of the living room and say, "Say 3, 2, 1, go!" When we do so either counting down or up, she begins what I can only describe as pure joy on feet. It's a flat out run, with laughter and smiles all the way. As soon as she reaches the other end, she's ready to start her next race. It is so exciting just to watch her. But sometimes, she takes it to the next step. "Daddy, run with me" or "Chase me" or just a twinkle in her eye, a smile on her face, a giggle and a flip of her hair and she's off with someone on her heals amid squeals of delight.

The apostle Paul likens the Christian life to being in race with a great prize at the end. I can easily identify with his words. But I'm not sure I accept what many people say about this verse - that the Christian life is full of nothing but hardship and trials and constant striving. My Jesus tells me to come and take His yoke upon myself for HIS YOKE IS EASY and HIS BURDEN IS LIGHT. A burden? Yes. But one that, with Him, is easily carried? Yes. Our problem is when we try and take the whole yoke on ourselves. That is a miserable Christian life.

One of my favorite songs of late is by the group the Eason Trio. The song is entitled "Enjoy the Journey." "Enjoy the journey. Rest in God's love. Give Him glory. Be strong and stand up. For He has given a life worth living. So until eternity, enjoy the journey."

Can't you see Him standing there, that twinkle in His eye, that smile on His face, His voice calling, "Come on, run with me."

The Kingdom of Heaven is Like a Stormy Sea

A couple nights ago, we were just winding down our supper. Sharon was in the other room using the computer, Greta was down and playing and Michael, Matthew and I were still at the table. I had just put on a CD to listen to by Valor (www.valormusic.net). The CD begins with the song "Walk on the Water" asking "Jesus, won't you walk out a little farther for me?" Of course this was talking about the storm when Jesus was walking on the water. Matthew said something that had such wisdom. He commented, "Hey, that means to Jesus it was like a bridge." Wow. To Jesus, the storms in our life, the difficulties, the chaos and unceartainty, to Jesus are nothing more than a bridge. A bridge to come save us. A bridge to salvation on the shore. Have faith in your times of trouble. Those troubles are solid under the nail-pierced feet of Jesus.

Psalm 23

I received this recently from a friend in New Mexico. You may have read it before. If so, be blessed again.

The Lord is my Shepherd - That's Relationship!
I shall not want - That's Supply!
He maketh me to lie down in green pastures - That's Rest!
He leadeth me beside the still waters - That's Refreshment!
He restoreth my soul - That's Healing!
He leadeth me in the paths of righteousness - That's Guidance!
For His name sake - That's Purpose!
Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death - That's Testing!
I will fear no evil - That's Protection!
For Thou art with me - That's Faithfulness!
Thy rod and Thy staff they comfort me - That's Discipline!
Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies - That's Hope!
Thou annointest my head with oil - That's Consecration!
My cup runneth over - That's Abundance!
Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life - That's Blessing!
And I will dwell in the house of the Lord - That's Security!
Forever - That's Eternity!

The Kingdom of Heaven is Like Supper

At our supper tonight (5 Dec 2005), Sharon made fried rice and cooked peas - a simple meal, but nonetheless tasty and nutritious. While this is not the family favorite as far as meal menus go, 4 year old Matthew especially seems to not appreciate it. As a special treat, everyone was promised a cookie for dessert IF they finished all the food on their plate. Matthew knew how much work he had put into helping Sharon make the cookies a couple days before and he really wanted one, but he REALLY didn't want to finish the food on his plate. I coaxed, I urged, I threatened, I encouraged, etc... I REALLY wanted him to get his cookie. So, realizing that he will eventually learn to like this food, even without eating an entire plate of his less liked food, and by setting boundaries that he HAD to reach (though much less than an entire plate full) I took his fork and ate a large portion of his food. I then stayed by his side and continued to encourage him and help him to eat the small portion that I had left for him. Then we rejoiced together as he slowly ate his cookie.

God has done the same for us. The difficulty to get to Heaven is large - a whole plate full. Much of it is not our favorite. But the plate must be empty to get the delicious reward of Heaven. God could see that, for a variety of reasons, we could not eat that whole plate alone. But He wants us to have the cookie so badly, that He took a bite, then another and another and another and left us with just a very small part of the not favorite food to eat ourselves. Even then He is by our side to encourage and help us to finish that miniscule amount. If we have submitted to His athority and eaten the portion He left for us, then very soon, He'll come back with the cookie, and we will savor it for all eternity. Mmmmmmmm......I can taste it now.

Purpose of the Site

I had started a blog at a different site, but had not posted many messages and then was notified that the site was going to shut down. Since I have friends that have used blogspot with good success and since WIRED magazine gives it high ratings, I've decided to restart the blog here.

The purpose of the blog is simple. So often in the gospels, Jesus uses the phrase, "The kingdom of Heaven is like unto..." He then would go on to draw spritual lessons from common things. The purpose of this site is to see lessons in common things. Of course I will also post my personal thoughts about the stuff of life, share links to sites that I think are really interesting and want to share and more...

Hope you get a blessing and post your own thoughts.

Karl