BS: God's under the bed

Subject: God's under the bed
From: Haruo
Date: 12 Apr 02 - 02:08 AM

'Tis the Gift to Be Simple, and this story that I just found in last week's archive at BaptistLife.com really touched me:

God's under the Bed

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, returning to eat his favorite macaroni-and-cheese for dinner, and later to bed. The only variation in the entire scheme are laundry days, when he hovers excitedly over the 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 goin' to Chi-car-go!" Kevin shouts as he claps his hands. His anticipation is so great he can hardly sleep on Friday nights.

I don't think Kevin knows anything exists outside 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. He recognizes no differences in people, treating each person as an equal and a friend.

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 submit them to Christ. 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 the Lord. 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!

Source Unknown

When you receive this, say a prayer. That's all you have to do. You don't have to send it on, God will bless you just because!!!!!

---

Liland

Subject: RE: BS: God's under the bed
From: GUEST
Date: 12 Apr 02 - 03:28 AM

A little boy came home from church and asked his mother "Is it rue that when God made man, he made him out of dust?"

"Yes" replied his mother.

"And is it true" continued the boy, "that when we die, we return to dust?"

"Yes" she said. "Why?"

"Well," said the little boy, "there's someone either coming or going under my bed !"

Subject: RE: BS: God's under the bed
From: Jerry Rasmussen
Date: 12 Apr 02 - 08:05 AM

Thanks for posting that article, Liland.One of the great joys that I had teaching children was their innocence.. at least the kids up to six or seven years old. They see the world differently and when I was teaching them about nature, I wasnt sure who was teaching whom. My approach to teaching was always trying to teach kids how to see. In a way, it didn't make any difference what the class was... how to really SEE birds, or trees or farm animals. Unless we are dilligent, we start to lose our ability to see about that mental age of six or seven. Cynicism starts to grow, a lack of trust and self protection takes root in our hearts and we lose that sense of wonder that little kids have. For me, the only way to rekindle that ability to truly see is through the eyes of faith.

Thanks for sharing this...

Jerry

Subject: RE: BS: God's under the bed
From: late 'n short 2
Date: 12 Apr 02 - 11:24 AM

Thank you. I needed that.

Subject: RE: BS: God's under the bed
From: Jeanie
Date: 12 Apr 02 - 11:37 AM

That is beautiful, Liland. Thank you so much for posting this. I know it says at the end "You don't have to send it on" - but I certainly *will* be !

It just reminds me of all the things that Jesus says about being as little children and also that lovely book "The Little Prince".

And I agree with Jerry - a class of little ones is sheer delight. I have often thought "who is teaching whom here ?" The best moment of all I had once in a Sunday school class of 5 year olds. They were hearing the story of Jonah and the Whale, some of them for the first time. I'll never forget one lad, all wide-eyed, calling out in the middle of the story "Wow ! God's a clever boy, isn't he ? " Yes - He is.

Thanks, Liland ! With love - Jeanie

Subject: RE: BS: God's under the bed
From: Mrs.Duck
Date: 12 Apr 02 - 01:27 PM

One of the great joys that I had teaching children was their innocence
Sadly Jerry the children I teach seem to have lost most of that (Y1 age 5/6) and I find it so sad that they have lost the sense of magic and wonder whether it be about god or Santa or anything else. I hope my own children are different but I do recall shortly after his father had died my son, then 7 now 15, said "Do you think my Dad's gone to heaven? Being an atheist I tried to be fairly non commital and said that wherever he was I expect he's watching us and is happy etc. "Well" said Alec " If he has I expect he'll take over god's job 'cos he's not doing it very well if he lets people like my Dad die!"

Subject: RE: BS: God's under the bed
From: Little Hawk
Date: 12 Apr 02 - 03:22 PM

That is an excellent story. A pure faith and an open heart are not easily preserved when the intellect crowns itself king of the world.

Thanks for the thread.

- LH

Subject: RE: BS: God's under the bed
From: Amos
Date: 12 Apr 02 - 03:58 PM

Man, Liland, that is a beautiful description.

Kevin's state seems so powerful in its simplicity. Reminds me of that film, "Being There". A heartwarmer in many ways!

Thanks for the refreshment!!

A

Subject: RE: BS: God's under the bed
From: Celtic Soul
Date: 13 Apr 02 - 12:10 AM

I got something very much like this one in e-mail recently. I thought I'd share it here instead of starting another thread name. Seemed appropo:

"About three weeks ago on a cold Saturday evening, we were on our way home from watching my youngest daughter play basketball. As I was passing an intersection about a mile from my house, I noticed a man standing on the corner. Now this particular corner is somewhat out by its self. Nothing around except sage brush and an occasional jack rabbit. It is considered a busy intersection because lots of traffic passes by. However, it is unusual to see anyone standing there.

As we passed, something spoke to me, almost an obvious voice, and I said to Patti "Something is wrong. I don't know what it is. But something isn't right with that guy. He is in trouble." Well, we continued home because it was getting late and I was not about to stop with my family in the car. I was going to just drop them off and run out for a Saturday night video. It was about 5:00. I pulled out of my driveway and decided that I would go back up to the intersection and see if that guy was still there. If not, I was just wrong.

As I approached I saw that he was still there. So I pulled over, rolled down my window and asked if he was all right. He came over to my passenger side of the car and looked into the window. Immediately I knew what the problem was.

Looking into the window of my car was the face of a very frightened man. A man that was developmentally disabled. Even though his age was about 50, his eyes were that of a child.

He opened the door and I asked him if he was all right. Looking at me he said "No, I am cold" so I offered him the warmth of my car. He got in and said "My name is Larry, Larry Lane. L-A-N-E!"

" Well Larry, my name is Doug. Do you need help?"

Larry looked at me and a smile that ran from one side of his face to the other opened. "YES ! I am lost. I would like it if you could help me." With those few words I was about to receive a blessing that still lasts today.

As I questioned Larry, it was soon apparent that he was truly very lost, and had been all day. I asked him were he lived. Digging down into the deepest part of his mind he suddenly looked up at me and said, " I live in a house! And there is a green car in the drive way! My Auntie lives there."

Unfortunately that was all that Larry knew.

Well, I did the only thing I could do and took him to the Sheriff station. He was well kept and clean. Obviously someone was taking care of him and would be looking for him. On the way, Larry began to tell my about himself. He was born two days after Christmas, December 27, 1948, (Christmas is his favorite holiday. Because it is Jesus' birthday and almost his) he told how he had just moved to town and lived with his auntie and cousin. That he had taken a shower that morning and had put on a clean shirt, clean pants, clean socks and even clean drawers. But he forgot to put his wallet back in his pocket.

Then he started to tell me jokes. Jokes that I have not heard since my children told me them when they were about 4 or 5 years old. I found that hearing them from Larry was just as wonderful as when they had told them. Maybe it was because Larry really enjoyed telling them, or maybe it was because Larry had a way of telling them that said "look at the world through my eyes." Whatever it was I knew that I was being blessed by his presence.

We pulled up to a stop sign and Larry took my hand and said "Let me shake your hand". So we shook hands, then he looked straight into my face and said "God bless you. God bless your family. God bless you for ever and ever and for the rest of your life." I was to find out later that this was Larry's highest form of praise. He said "I was cold and you were the only one that stopped. You are my friend! Do you want to hear another joke?"

When we got to the sheriff station I told him to wait while I explained to the deputy what the problem was. So he sat on a bench and I went to the counter. While the deputy was looking him up in the computer to see if there was a record of missing person, I turned and looked at Larry. There, in the middle of the lobby of the station on a hard bench sat Larry, head bowed. His hands folded together and eyes closed. Quietly praying, asking God to help him find his way home. It was truly one of the most humbling moments of my life.

I heard him say "Amen" then he looked up at me and smiled. He was sure that his prayers would be answered. I thought to myself "if one only has the faith of a child". It made me ashamed of my own faith. Turning I saw the deputy had witnessed the same sight. Neither of us would have admitted it, but we both needed to wipe our eyes.

Well, to make a long story short, the Sheriff Department could not help us. After about two hours, we ended up at the hospital. This was my last hope. I had decided that if they could not help then Larry was going to come home with me. I was not sure what Patti would say if I brought a stray, but Larry was not staying in the Homeless shelter.

The hospital did have a record of Larry as well as a telephone number of his aunt. I called her. Needless to say, they had been worried sick. Apparently Larry had gotten upset earlier in the morning and had gone for a walk. Only he had gotten lost because he was new to the area. His aunt said that she was just on her way to her church to get more help. I told where Larry was, and she came right over and picked him up. A happy ending.

On my way home and ever since then, the thought of Larry stayed with me. What a blessing to spend a few hours with him. I was blessed to see simple faith at work. To see his trust not in me, but his Lord. It was something that I have known others to spend a lifetime trying to develop. Yet this simple man possessed it. Possibly because Larry is not hampered with all the clutter of life that I tend to get caught up in.

All I know is that never before have I ever received a more sincere blessing, than what he gave me over and over that night. "God bless you, God bless your family, God bless you for ever and ever and for the rest of your life!"

Subject: RE: BS: God's under the bed
From: GUEST
Date: 13 Apr 02 - 01:53 AM

Good Heavens! Perhaps, you would also support this poor pathetic excuse for "humanity's" rights to pro-creating.

The resources of the world should NEVER have been wasted upon this wretch. The birthing-doctor should have been merciful to society, the family, and the imbecile himself by exercising the final decision.

Subject: RE: BS: God's under the bed
From: Cappuccino
Date: 13 Apr 02 - 03:52 AM

Ignoring the troll, let me add another wonderful similar story.

A friend of mine ran a factory which always took on a number of 'learning retarded' staff. One, a super lad of about thirty, was always escorted there and back on the bus, because he couldn't handle the journey himself.

Came the big day when it was judged that he would make The Adventure, and go to work by himself, on the bus, paying the fare, watching out for the right stop, etc.

He was excited - he was doing this all by himself!

No he wasn't - the entire factory staff had stationed themselves along the route, hiding behind trees, sitting in cars, watching to see him go past safely!

*That* is the attitude to take, dear troll.

- Ian B

Subject: RE: BS: God's under the bed
From: McGrath of Harlow
Date: 13 Apr 02 - 01:36 PM

Here's a true story I posted on the Mudcat a couple of years back, and it seems relevant. So here is the post again:

This is a story that was told me by a friend to whom it happened.

She was sitting in the town centre in Harlow by the fountain with her son. Now, her son is in his thirties, and he's got epilepsy, and he can't talk too well, and he is pretty unsteady on his feet, and so on.

And there were a couple of well dressed young men - visitors to the town by the look of them - and they were sitting nearby, and after a while she noticed that they were looking at her son, and imitating some of the things he said, and giggling.

And also nearby there was a rough looking local lad, a skinhead, rings in the nose and tattoos, and that kind of stuff, and big boots. And he was listening to what was going on. And then he gets up and he walks over to the jokers, and looks hard at them and tells them to "push off" - except he didn't exactly say "push off". And they pushed off quite rapidly.

And then he goes over to my friend's son, and shook his hands and said "You're all right mate!" And he marched off.

As my friend said "It makes you proud sometimes to live in Harlow!"

And one of the things about the Mudcat is, you can guarantee that there are a lot more people here like the skinhead than like the visitors, when it comes down to what really matters.

Subject: RE: BS: God's under the bed
From: michaelr
Date: 13 Apr 02 - 07:54 PM

Boy, reading those stories I wish I was blessed with a feeble mind! I'd love to be able to believe in an all-seeing God who takes care of all of us and has a master plan and a better hereafter in store...

Unfortunately, my rational mind does not allow me the luxury of blind faith. Intellect: blessing or curse?

"Blessed are the poor in spirit, blessed are the meek
For theirs shall be the kingdom that the power-mongers seek
Blessed are the dead for love and those who cry for peace
And those who love the gift of Earth: may their genepool increase"

Bruce Cockburn, "Shipwrecked at the Stable Door"

Michael

Subject: RE: BS: God's under the bed
From: Jerry Rasmussen
Date: 13 Apr 02 - 08:08 PM

The mind is vastly over-rated. Better to be a fool for God.

Jerry

Subject: RE: BS: God's under the bed
From: michaelr
Date: 13 Apr 02 - 08:34 PM

Jerry - I refuse to be anyone's fool, especially some being whose existence is completely conjectural!

Michael

Subject: RE: BS: God's under the bed
From: CamiSu
Date: 13 Apr 02 - 08:36 PM

These innocents bring out the best in us -- if we let them. That's reason enough for their existence. But they also give love in endless measure.

Subject: RE: BS: God's under the bed
From: Cappuccino
Date: 14 Apr 02 - 03:58 AM

Blind faith worries me too, MichaelR - and this is a worship musician speaking! But that's a whole different discussion...

In this one, I'm happy enough to be encouraged by these stories.

- Ian B

Subject: RE: BS: God's under the bed
From: Jerry Rasmussen
Date: 14 Apr 02 - 06:55 AM

Being a "fool for God" doesn't mean someone has a feeble mind, or has "blind faith." The phrase is used to acknowledge that our wisdom is very small in relation to God. If you don't believe in God of course, it just sounds stupid. If you do believe in God, it's a good reminder that we are of limited vision and on our own can screw up our lives royally. It doesn't take a lot of reflection to remember how many times our own "wisdom" and intellect has caused us to make a mess out of our lives.

But, this isn't a spiritual forum. Besides, it's too easy to express poorly what we believe in a public forum. No offense meant to anyone.

Jerry

Subject: RE: BS: God's under the bed
From: McGrath of Harlow
Date: 14 Apr 02 - 08:42 AM

That story Ian B told reminded me of this bit from a 14th century prayer:

Christ has no other hands on earth,
He only has our hands
to do his work today.
We are his only message
in word and work.