This is so cool! > >> >> >> >> GOD LIVES UNDER THE BED >> >> Don't start reading this one until you've got more than 3 or 4 minutes to >> just "scan" over it. It deserves some time for reflection. >> >> >> I envy Kevin. 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 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, return to eat his favorite macaroni-and-cheese >> for dinner, and later to bed. >> >> >> The only variation in the entire scheme is laundry, 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. >> >> >> And so goes 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 of power, and he does not >> care what brand of clothing he wears or what kind of food he eats. 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 trust them to God's care. >> >> >> 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 God. >> >> >> 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! >> >> >> When you receive this, say a prayer. That's all you have to do. There is >> nothing attached. This is powerful. >> >> >> Just send this to four people and do not break this, please. Prayer is one >> of the best free gifts we receive. There is no cost, but a lot of rewards. >> >> >> >>