Dear Kristina

May 7, 2004

Dear Kristina,

Congratulations! It seems strange that you are graduating from College. I remember when you were going to HS and trying to make up your mind about where to go.

At this important point in your life I have been asked to write something to you about religion and I’m happy to do so.

First, I believe that one has to be very humble when one attempts to define God and describe the nature of God. Holy men and women and priests, rabbis and ministers have been trying to do this for millenniums. All they can do…in fact all any of us can do…is just scratch the surface a little. In my mind God is much beyond any thing we can conjure. God isn’t limited to what we think. But I also believe this. God honors our attempts to understand. God blesses us for trying. It’s a real humbling exercise.

Secondly, real religion isn’t so much about what we say we believe but about who we are and what we do. Real religion isn’t so much about the doctrines we claim to believe as much as it is about the way we treat others and care about those in need. Your Aunt Jeri doesn’t talk about religion a whole lot nor does she even care about a lot of the doctrines which seem important in both Catholicism and Protestantism, etc.  She just lives it. She has a faith which is very real to her and she cares deeply about people. She reaches out and helps others…which to me is the sign of the person who is truly religious.

One more thought; the truly religious person doesn’t’ condemn or judge others who don’t think and believe the same way. I remember the time when Baptists used to condemn Catholics and Jews and Buddhists and every one else who thought about God in somewhat different terms. How sad that was and how ludicrous. I’m thankful that in these times we’re not so quick to judge those who see things differently. The important thing is to respect and honor those who call themselves something other than what we call ourselves. No group or person has a corner on the Almighty.

Here’s the portion of Scripture that has meant possibly the most to me through the years. It’s taken from the book of Psalms in the Old Testament…Psalm 139:7-12.

Where can I go from your spirit? Or where can I flee from your presence? If I ascend to heaven, you are there; if I make my bed in Sheol (hell), you are there.  If I take the wings of the morning and settle at the farthest limits of the sea, even there your hand shall lead me, and your right hand shall hold me fast.  If I say, Surely the darkness shall cover me, and the light around me become night… even the darkness is not dark to you; the night is as bright as the day, for darkness is as light to you.

May the Source of life bless you, guide you and give you a joyful, loving heart.

With Love,