Saturday, April 28, 2007

Dad

Despite all the dad induced pain of my youth, I will always be grateful to him for teaching me that above all, despite all, after all, God loves me. Come hell or high water, God loves me. My dad told me these things. He said them to me.

I'm thinking about this right now because after having read the pieces on faith that I submitted for the writing workshops here, the overwhelming response from my group was, "I've been there. I know this. But I gave up on God because my entire childhood I was told that I was a bad person, full of sin and going to hell. I don't need that. Christianity does not equal love."

I've been so blessed and so stupid. I was drowned in love.

4 comments:

Anonymous said...

Mmm I agree, I too have been so blessed with parents who showered me in love and the message that I am loved by God. My parents with their endless faults, dissapointments and heartaches have shown me that Christianity is about loving God and loving others. It was truly the greatest gift they gave me. Oh the account we as Christians will face when God asks us why so many people did not find love in Christianity; for that is what is really all about. Thank you for your writngs.

Cherie said...

How grand that the Angela you've become can see more clearly than the Angela that you were. And the Angela to come? Imagine the possibilities!

Growing older has its benefits - and blessings.

I'm glad for you.

Angela said...

thanks cherie. you know, maybe it's the aggressive onslaught of white hairs this past year, but all of a sudden i wouldn't go back to being 20 for nothin'. i love the kindness that comes with a few years of life.
ya. i'm looking forward to getting nicer!

you're welcome karen. thank you.

deanna said...

A dad who tells you and shows you God loves you -- I agree it's a wonderful gift. God somehow is no respecter of status in these situations, wrapping the present in brown paper.