Tonight Mali and I went solo to church. I have to say, Mali enjoys church more than anyone else in our family. Or should I say, she seems to pick up on the spiritual component more than the rest of us! Tonight, we ate on the way home and she said to me, "Mama, everyone in the world is in a big show, and God is the audience." I was a little taken aback, without anything profound to say, I asked, "Did you think that up, or did you hear someone say that?" I wondered if there had been some analogy she picked up on in Sunday School. She said she made it up, then pointed to a sign and said, "See that picture? That's what gave me the idea." I looked, and there was a picture of the Earth, colored in bright rainbow colors, with the three recycling arrows around it. Huh.
As I thought about her image of God, I felt myself getting a little uncomfortable with it. I get so squeemish about an image of God that is judgmental, critical, causing us to act a desirable way out of fear. I think that's what I was picturing when I was thinking of God as an audience. Then, I realized with great relief that this is Mali we're talking about. She has the most innocent perception of "show" and "audience" I can imagine. She always talks about wanting to be in a show (she never has), and her idea of an audience is more like a large presence that is joyfully watching over her, content to take her in and just be there. She thinks of audiences and they are not judging. They are clapping and cheering her on. I'm also quite sure that "putting on a show" to her is more of a gift she gives than a plea for attention. This was a big shift in my thinking. Whatever her image of God is, I want to let it be hers. But, I was relieved that what she came up with was something that was comforting and kind.
After a day of difficult conversations about church, this was a gift to me. . . to hear how simple it is for her.
7 comments:
Wow. That's really beautiful. All of it.
Dad used to sing a John Prine song to us. The chorus is: "Blow up your TV, throw away the paper, move to the country, build a little home, plant a little garden, eat a lot of peaches, try and find Jesus on your own." This post makes me think of this song, and it's a beautiful thing.
yes, I know that song. I discovered it in college, and loved it.
Oh, how we are quick to judge....and I am trying so hard to stop...to catch myself before I instill it in others....Mali is such a treasure!
Love the music on your blog! Can you show me how to do that at T-day?
Speaking of T-day, can't wait to see you!
Church is a continuous discussion in this household as well....Aaron stopped going for awhile and it was just me and the kids.....felt more empty than it was worth, really. Now we're trying all together again.
Jen CD
Quite pure and lovely. I love the idea that God is cheering me on.
Yes, Jen, I'll show you how to add music to your blog (since I'm assuming you'll have one soon!).
Aimee, thanks for commenting -- good to have you here.
Mali is such a gift--I love hearing what she's thinking and talking about.
Ditto on the music--we've been leaving your blog up on our computer so we can listen.
Post a Comment