God Lives Under the Bed
(Don't start reading this one until you've got more than 3 or 4
minutes to just "scan" over it. It deserves some time for reflection.)
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 our washing machine like a mother with her newborn
child. 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 going' 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
or 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 author is unknown to me.
Ten Guidelines From God
Effective Immediately,
please be aware that there are changes YOU need
to make in YOUR life. These changes need to be
completed in order that I may fulfill My promises
to you to grant you peace, joy and happiness in
this life. I apologize for any inconvenience,
but after all that I am doing, this seems very
little to ask of you. Please, follow
these 10 guidelines
1. QUIT WORRYING:
Life has dealt you a blow and all you do is sit
and worry. Have you forgotten that I am here
to take all your burdens and carry them for you?
Or do you just enjoy fretting over every little
thing that comes your way?
2. PUT IT ON THE LIST:
Something needs done or taken care of. Put it
on the list. No, not YOUR list. Put it on MY
to-do-list. Let ME be the one to take care
of the problem. I can't help you until! you turn
it over to Me. And although My to-do-list
is long, I am after all... God. I can take care
of anything you put into My hands. In fact,
if the truth were ever really known, I take
care of a lot of things for you that you never
even realize.
3. TRUST ME:
Once you've given your burdens to Me,
quit trying to take them back. Trust in
Me. Have the faith that I will take care of
all your needs, your problems and your trials.
Problems with the kids? Put them on My list.
Problem with finances? Put it on My list.
Problems with your emotional roller coaster?
For My sake, put it on My list. I want to
help you. All you have to do is ask.
4. LEAVE IT ALONE:
Don't wake up one morning and say,
"Well, I'm feeling much stronger now, I think
I can handle it from here." Why do you think
you are feeling stronger now? It's simple.
You gave Me your burdens and I'm taking
care of them. I ! also renew your strength
and cover you in my peace. Don't you
know that if I give you these problems back,
you will be right back where you started?
Leave them with Me and forget about
them. Just let Me do my job.
5. TALK TO ME:
I want you to forget a lot of things.
Forget what was making you crazy.
Forget the worry and the fretting because
you know I'm in control. But there's one
thing I pray you never forget. Please, don't
forget to talk to Me - OFTEN! I love YOU!
I want to hear your voice. I want you to
include Me in on the things going on in your life.
I want to hear you talk about your friends
and family. Prayer is simply you having
a conversation with Me. I want to be your
dearest friend.
6. HAVE FAITH:
I see a lot of things from up here that you
can't see from where you are. Have faith in
Me that I know what I'm doing. Trust Me;
you wouldn't want the view from My eyes.
I will continue to care for you, watch over you,
and meet your needs. You only have to trust Me.
Although I have a much bigger task than you,
it seems as if you have so much trouble just
doing your simple part. How hard can trust be?
7. SHARE:
You were taught to share when you were
only two years old. When did you forget?
That rule still applies. Share with those who are
less fortunate than you. Share your joy with
those who need encouragement. Share your
laughter with those who haven't heard any in
such a long time. Share your tears with those
who have forgotten how to cry. Share your faith
with those who have none.
8. BE PATIENT:
I managed to fix it so in just one lifetime
you could have so many diverse experiences.
You grow from a child to an adult, have children,
change jobs many times, learn many trades,
travel to so many places, meet thousands
of people, and experience so much. How can
you be so impatient then when it takes Me
a little longer than you expect to handle
something on My to-do-list? Trust in My
timing, for My timing is perfect. Just
because I created the ! entire universe in
only six days, everyone thinks I should
always rush, rush, rush.
9. BE KIND:
Be kind to others, for I love them just
as much as I love you. They may not dress
like you, or talk like you, or live the same way
you do, but I still love you all. Please try
to get along, for My sake. I created each
of you different in some way. It would be
too boring if you were all identical.
Please, know I love each of your differences.
10. LOVE YOURSELF:
As much as I love you, how can you not
love yourself? You were created by me for
one reason only -- to be loved, and to love
in return. I am a God of Love. Love Me.
Love your neighbors. But also love yourself.
It makes My heart ache when I see you
so angry with yourself when things go
wrong. You are very precious to me.
Don't ever forget......
Note: I rec'd this from a friend and I have
no idea who wrote it, but I was so touched
by it, that I had to share it with you.
I hope that you will be blessed by
it and will share it with others.