My neighbor J. is a conservative Christian, a Republican, a man who strongly believes, that Obama is as close to the anti-Christ as it gets. He is convinced that the world will end someday soon, and that he and his fellow Christians will be saved by Jesus, and the rest of us sorry humans will burn for eternity.
My neighbor J. also adores my children. He loves how friendly, intelligent, and kind they are. He loves how they greet him, chat with him, hang out with him when he works in the front yard. His wife works with children at his church on Sunday mornings, and he constantly tells us, how he has never met children at their Sunday School that are as friendly as my children.
My neighbor J. has a very high opinion of my husband, and frequently asks for his opinion. He finds it difficult to accept my husband's secular take on subjects, but takes it in, and then asks my husband again. He has had conversations with my husband about politics and religion. He walks away from these discussions confused and irritated.
He is irritated by the fact that my daughter insists that the beautiful "creation" around us is a result of evolution, when clearly to him this is God's doing.
My neighbor J. is confused and surprised to meet a family who is so obviously nice and kind, friendly, and caring, and good, all without the promise of salvation or the threat of eternal damnation. What to make of these people whom he cares so much about? How to deal with the fact, that these people are perfectly fine with not going to heaven?
I would like to see him drop his guard just once and tell me, just what is going on inside his mind. I would love to crawl into his head and understand what he's thinking. And more than anything I would like to explain to him why I don't subscribe to his belief, and have him really understand. I know this is not going to happen. I know he is not ready for a conversation of this kind. But I am happy that a seed has been planted in his head... however small it may be, and however long it may take to grow.
I had a neighbor like that. Still good friends after she moved away. She told me that while she respects my right to not believe as she does, it makes her sad to think that someone she likes so much is someone she won't see in heaven. And that makes her sad because she likes me enough to want to see me in heaven.
ReplyDeleteWell, aren't you lucky. Nothing quite like being reminded by a humble Christian, that you could be as good as her... if only you'd burn for eternity. ;-) I was told so too by a friend once. We still enjoy each other's e-mails, but lately her references to God are a little much.
ReplyDeleteIt sounds as if although you and your neighbour are so very different in your belief systems, both of you appreciate each other's qualities of goodness - be they God-given or taught. I have a friend who in recent years 'went back to God' and she won't stop sending me 'Godly' emails - she thinks eventually I, too, will 'go back'....
ReplyDelete"I would love to crawl into his head and understand what he's thinking."
ReplyDeleteEww. I wouldn't recommend it. He's probably hoping that - someday, however long - the seeds that he's sowing in your family's garden will sprout, grow and bloom. ;)