In 1956, Ann and I took a footlocker full of letters that we had written to each other prior to our marriage. We had been lugging them around for about 8 years and saw no benefit in continuing the process. We burned them.
The apostle Paul wrote, “When I was a child, I spoke as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child; But when I became a man, I put away childish things” (I Corinthians 13:11). Looking back over 56 years, I can tell you that all those letters were innocent, joyful, loving, kind and sweeter than the honey comb.
Today, I was browsing through another box of letters, and found some “Letters to God” written by children. They too were innocent, joyful, loving, kind and sweeter than the honeycomb. The authors could have been any of your kids or mine, or maybe even you or I when we were young.
“Dear God, please put another holiday between Christmas and Easter. There’s nothing good in there now.” (Amanda)
“Dear God, Thank you for the baby brother…but what I asked for was a puppy. I never asked for anything before. You can look it up.” (Joyce)
“Dear Mr. God, I wish you would not make it so easy for people to come apart. I had to have three stitches and a shot.” (Janet)
“God, I read the Bible. What does “begat” mean? Nobody will tell me, love, Allison.”
“Dear God, How did you know you were God? Who told you that you were?” (Charlene)
“Dear God, Is it true my father won’t get in heaven if he uses his god words in the house?” (Anita)
“Dear God, I bet it’s hard for you to love all of everybody in the whole world. There are only four people in our family and I can never do it.” (Sue)
“Dear God, Did you really mean “Do unto others as they do unto you?” If you did then I’m going to get even with my brother.” (Darla)
“Dear God, I like the story about Noah. That was the best one of all. You really made up some good ones. I like walking on water, too.” (Glenn)
“Dear God, my grandpa says you were around when he was a little boy. Just how far back do you go? Love, Dennis.”
“Dear God, Do you draw the lines around the countries. If you don’t – who does?” (Nan)
“Dear God, It’s O.K. that you made different religious, but don’t you get mixed up sometimes?” (Arnold)
“Dear God, Did you mean for giraffes to look like that, or was it an accident?” (Norma)
“Dear God, What does it mean that you are a jealous God? I thought you had everything that you wanted?” (Jane)
“Dear God, How come you did all those miracles in the old days and don’t do any now?” (Billy)
“Dear God, Please send Dennis Clark to a different camp this year. He is a nerd.” (Peter)
“Dear God, Maybe Cain and Abel would not kill each other so much if they each had their own rooms. It works out O.K. with me and my brother.” (Larry)
“Dear God, I keep waiting for spring but it never did come yet. What’s up? Don’t forget.” (Mark)
“Dear God, You don’t have to worry about me. I look both ways before I cross the street.” (Dean)
“Dear God, if you will watch in church on Sunday, I will show you my new shoes.” (Barbara)
“Dear God, Is Reverend Joe a friend of your or do you just know him through the business?” (Donny)
“Dear God, In Sunday school they told us what you do for a job. Who does it when you are on vacation?” (Jane)
“Dear God, in school we read that Thomas Edison made light, and in Sunday school they said that you did it first. Did he steal your idea?” (Donna)
“Dear God, I do not think that anybody can be a better God than you. Well, I just want you to know that I’m not just saying that because you are already God.” (Dick)
Special note: Dear God, I thank you for our kids, made just the way you made them. You’re wonderful, majestic and full of goodness and grace – just like them. Is that why you wrote, “And he took a child, and set him in the midst of them, and said, “assuredly I say to you, unless you are converted and become as little children, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven. Therefore who ever humbles himself as a little child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. Whoever receives one little child like this in My name receives Me” (Matthew 18:2-5).
In Jesus Name, Amen.