GOD IS 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.

A NOTE

People have "intellectualized" about God for centuries. Men with multiple advanced degrees debate the relative merits of passages of Scripture, focusing intently on the intricate meaning of verb tenses of the original languages. Scholars write, intellectuals philosophize, and pundits espouse. Each one believes he has cornered the market on the truth of God.

And then there is Kevin. No debates. No verb tenses. No cornered market. A simple faith built on a foundational trust and love. No theories, only response to truth.

When I share the life-changing gospel of Christ with people, how I wish I could communicate with them in such an eloquently simple way. How wonderful it would be if they would have the faith of a child and simply trust and obey.

I believe we miss much of the joy the Lord has for us because we insist on viewing all things through the lens of human wisdom and rationale. Why is it so hard to believe God loves me unconditionally, without there needing to be some relative merit or righteousness involved. Why can't we simply accept that God is crazy about us, no matter who we are, what we know, or where we've been? How much freedom in our relationship with Christ would we gain if we would come to the simple realization that it's ALL about Him, not us?

Slow down and simply accept the fact that God loves you! Don't look for reasons. Don't justify. Don't rationalize. Let God be Himself and you be the recipient of His grace and compassion.

Yes, God is under my bed. And in my closet. And at my work. And, most importantly, in my heart!

(Author: Unknown to Me)

PAGE DEDICATION

To My Friend

Mary Jane

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Copyrighted ©May 7, 2001 by Angel45_2B

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SONG TITLE

"Jesus Medley"

Produced by

Larrie Dee