The other day, I received a curious letter in the mail. The return address on the top of the envelope was also my address, repeated from below. The signature inside read “no signature, for all the Glory goes to God”. I felt the need for anonymity was strange.
The letter had a lot to unpack. It started with “I feel compelled to let you know that there is a very real hope of complete healing for you.” It continued with “Hope of returning to your past active life and hope in every single Word of our everlasting God”.
Now, I always try to appreciate people for attempting to be helpful, but my question is ‘Does this help?’ Perhaps there are some who live a better life thinking that they will jump up out of their wheelchair with better faith, but I’m not sure that I know any of these people.
The only part that made me pause was the part that said that thousands of believers were praying for my cure. “Undaunted by the mocking of faith, and hopelessness embedded in your blogs, the prayers continue to spread for you, all blessed in the Truth, Power, and Will of our Living God.”
It gave me pause because it was never my intention to mock faith. I hadn’t felt that I had. I don’t think that hopelessness is an underlying theme either. A good part of my writing is about the exploration of life, why we are who we are, and of how one copes with difficulties, something that I am learning as I go. I actually feel rather positive a fair bit of the time.
I was given an example of a lengthy prayer for me to recite. “Father, you know I am an unbeliever. You know that I am facing a serious illness…..” “I am scared. I need a miracle…..” “Jesus Christ who died for me……” “I surrender everything. I accept Your Perfect Will…. “ Something to contemplate is; trying to believe something that you don’t, out of desperation, fear, guilt or obedience, is not pleasant, easy or helpful.
People come to an understanding of the way the universe works around them. We come from different places. We all must accept that there are limits to our knowledge. Chipping away at the edges of ignorance is a form of learning and inquisitiveness. A willingness to accept tweaks in one’s understanding shows a desire to get it right, and is an antidote to entrenched behavior.
I have never felt that being offended, about anything, is good for much. It is similar to using cuss words. Both serve as a substitute for content, an easy thing to fall back on when you can’t do better. Mainly, it is important to realize that differing ways of thinking is inevitable, rich and a wonderful thing. People have a need to entertain strategies and ideas that fit with their understanding of the world. PS, I actually enjoy going to church on most Sundays, mostly to enjoy community, my past and a richness of ideas.
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Sometimes, David, I feel you’re the most religious person I know! Thanks for being my friend!
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David, I read your blogs faithfully, in every sense of the word. Part of me is shocked that somebody sent you such a letter, but another part of me knows that too many so-called “people of faith” don’t understand nuance, complexity, or ambiguity, and feel they have a divinely inspired mission, misguided as it is, to interfere in others’ lives. I’m sorry that this person unsettled you.
You are correct to say you have never mocked faith, and I certainly do not read your realism about your disease as hopelessness. I also concur with Guy Pondrom’s statement above. To me, you are a man who appreciates and marvels at all of creation, including your fellow human beings, and that inspires me to try to do the same.
I feel honored to be your sister-in-law.
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Uncle Dave that is so crazy! I have kept up with every entry and have NEVER felt you mocked faith and have never felt a tone of hopelessness. I love reading your writings. Not only do I get to know you better and grandma and grandpa better, but I also find myself reflecting on your different topics. I always look forward to reading a new post. Thank you for writing these!
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David, I have never seen you as hopeless. You are a realist and a problem solver. You think about the big things in life. The letter writer and his/her thousands of good-intentioned believers can continue their prayers. Last time I checked, no one had cornered the market on the right way to believe, or how to handle difficult situations, and this person needs to go on their merry way doing what they think is best, and leave you to go on yours. PS…one of the most annoying cards we received was when someone used the verse that I’ve loosely quoted as “Rejoice in the suffering”. Uh, no thanks.
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A week after my first comment, I’ve had some time to calm down and reflect.
As you probably also feel, I’m sure the letter writer had the best of intentions, even though the execution and the effect left a lot to be desired. Since you were diagnosed with ALS, I’ve been heartened by the number of people who are sincerely praying for you and Mary. I also pray for both of you, even though I admit I’m unsure whether prayer actually makes a difference. The ways of any Supreme Being often seem so arbitrary to me and ultimately unknowable. I lean toward the deist view of God–A creator/clock maker who stepped back and let his/her/their creation run on its own merits and flaws, without intervention. And I think of Jesus as the holiest of teachers and a mentor.
My point is, I hope you are able to take something positive away from the knowledge that so many people care about you.
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