My Dear Children (and believe me, that’s of all of you),
I consider myself a pretty patient guy, I mean, look at the Grand Canyon. It took millions of years to get it right. And evolution? Boy, nothing is slower than designing that whole Darwinian thing to take place, cell by cell, and gene by gene.
I’ve been patient through your fashions, civilizations, wars and schemes and the countless ways you take Me for granted until you get yourself into big trouble again and again. I want to let you know about some of the things that are starting to tick me off.
First of all, your religious rivalries are driving Me up the wall. Let’s get one thing straight: These are YOUR religions, not Mine. I’m beyond them all. Every one of your religions claims that there is only one of Me (which by the way, is absolutely true). But in the very next breath, each religion claims it’s My favourite one. And each claims its religious book was written personally by Me.
Okay, listen up now. I’m your Father and Mother, and I don’t play favourites among My children. Also, I hate to break it up to you, My longhand is awful, and I’ve always been more of a ‘doer’ anyway.
So all of your books were written by me and women. They were remarkable people, but they also made mistakes here and there. I made sure of that, so that you would never trust a written word more than your own living heart.
You act like I need you and your religions to stick up for Me or ‘win souls’ for My sake. Please don’t do me any favours. I can stand quite well on my own, thank you. I don’t need you to defend Me and I don’t need constant credit. I just want you to be good to each other.
And another thing: I don’t get all worked up with over money or politics, so stop dragging My name into your dramas. The thing is, I want you to stop thinking of religion as some sort of royal pledge to Me. The true purpose of your religion is so that you can become more aware of Me, not the other way around.
Believe Me, I know you already. I know what’s in each of your hearts, and I love you with no strings attached. Lighten up and enjoy Me. That’s what religion is best for. What you seem to forget is how mysterious I am.
You look at petty differences in your Scriptures and say, ‘Well, if this is the truth, then that cant be !’ But instead of trying to figure out My paradoxes and Unfathomable Nature, which by the way, you never will, why not open your hearts to simple common threads in all your religions.
You know what I am talking about: love and respect everyone. Be kind, even when life is scary and confusing, take courage and be of good cheer, for I am always with you. Learn how to be quiet, so that you can hear My still, small voice (I don’t like to shout). Hold back nothing from life, for the parts of you that can die surely will, and the parts that can’t, won’t. So don’t worry be happy (I stole the last line from Bobby McFerrin, but who do you think gave it to him in the first place?)
Simple stuff. Why do you keep making it so complicated? It’s like you are always looking for an excuse to be upset. And I am very tired of being your excuse. Do you think I care what you call Me? Do you think I care which of my special children you feel closest to?
You can call Me and My special ones any name you choose, if only you would go about my business of loving one another as I love you. How can you keep neglecting something so simple? I am not telling you to abandon your religions. Enjoy your religions, honour them, learn from them, just as you should enjoy, honour, and learn from your parents. But do you walk around telling everyone that your parents are better than theirs?
Each religion is unique for a reason. Each has a unique style so that people can find the best path for themselves. If you really want to help them commit yourselves to figuring out how to feed your hungry, clothe your naked, protect your abused and shelter your poor. And just as importantly, make your own everyday life a shining example of good humour.
I’m not really ticked off. I just wanted to grab your attention because I hate to see you suffer. I want you to be happy.
Your One and Only,
God
.
