Many Paths: Letters to God reflect on today's issues, both big and small
Dear God,
Sorry I haven’t been around lately. I know I’m not the greatest at staying in touch. But I’m worried about this year. It has the makings of a pretty miserable situation. And there’s a new movie out called “Civil War”, which doesn’t help to calm my nerves.
If Trump is allowed to run for the presidency, it will prove that crime really does pay. I don’t get what those right-wing Trumpies want. I’d ask you to come down to help, but I doubt if you even get it. They do a lot of things in you and your son’s names, which I’m guessing makes you mad. You could smite them, which I wouldn’t see as a really bad thing. It’s looking like you are going to let us kill ourselves off. That would take care of the one mistake you made. I’m hoping that rather than end us all, you go with the politician-smiting idea.
Thanks, Bruce.
Dear God,
It’s hard waking up at 3 a.m. and having your life flash through your mind. Doesn’t make for a good night’s rest. All the things you would like to do over. I’m not like those people that say, (or lie) about not wanting to do anything over. I could use a couple of do-overs. Maybe a couple dozen. I don’t think about the things I did well. It’s the mistakes, the failures, that keep you up at night. The missed chances. When I get to the Pearly Gates, if I happen to get that far, there will be a lot of explaining to do. I figure I’m a pretty good talker, so I should be able to fool old St. Peter, seeing he’s getting up in age. Nonetheless, I’m hoping you are a forgiving God, because I’m going to need it. Forgiveness, that is. With a lot of compassion thrown in. I haven’t asked you for anything since those lotto numbers, so I’m kind of figuring you owe me.
Sincerely, Bruce.
Dear God,
I’m worried. People seem to think they know you pretty well. They want you to back this ideology, this religion, this policy, this war, this idea. A lot of people seem to think they are buddy-buddy with you. Some say they even talk with you. I don’t know, but I think that is getting a little shaky. I don’t think anyone should claim you for their own personal uses and beliefs. We have a lot of politician’s and right-wing Christians doing just that. If the smiting doesn’t work, how about just making them disappear.
Thanks, Bruce.
Dear God,
Your son had a penitence for the rich. Seems we have a lot of rich people down here who buy and do just about anything they want. From spacecraft to fancy cars to politicians, nothing is too expensive for them. They don’t seem to worry too much about the poor. In fact, they do their best to keep them poor. They figure somebody has got to work; it might as well be us. It would seem it’s about time that things changed. Violence is probably not the answer, although your son did seem to have a bit of a temper. At any rate, he did seem to favor nonviolence, so I’ll go with that. A nonviolent revolution. The money of the rich needs to be distributed among the poor. That seems only right since it most likely came from them to begin with. So, I hope you can find it in your heart to be supportive of this. We will need all the help we can get.
Sincerely, Bruce.
Dear God,
People are always asking me whether I believe in you or not. Still, at age 76, I don’t know what to quite make of it all. I do believe that something exists that is greater than us. At least, I would hope so. Concerning ways to worship you, I’m open to any. My faith goes up and down; up and down but remains hopeful and positive. Of course, it wouldn’t hurt if I got a letter in return one of these days.
Sincerely, Bruce.
Bruce Weik was a longtime columnist for The Zephyr, and is co-creator of Many Paths Galesburg since 2019.
This article originally appeared on Rockford Register Star: Many Paths: Letters to God reflect on issues both big and small
