Christian Living

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Larry Lilly's Letter Monday June 30, 2008

When I was rather young I read Stephen Crane's grand book, "The Red Badge of Courage." You may recall it had to do with the wounds of war, the Civil War in this case. The main character is torn between heroism and cowardice. Crane also wrote, "A Man Said To The Universe" and in this book he uses an exchange, that in many ways reminded me of some of my mother's sayings to me in tender years:

'A man said to the universe;

"Sir, I Exist!"

"However," replied the universe, "The fact has not created in me a sense of obligation."'

Mom's way of saying this came out:

"What's wrong with you Larry, do you think the world owes you a living?"

Mother's do not ask this question any more, for the children understand the fact that the universe does not owe them a living; nor will the universe accept any responsibility for their particular plight. This reality does not bother younger people, and even many with a tad of grey here and there as they know that our country does feel a horrible guilt toward every child of Adam due to the fact that the universe will not accept responsibility for the choices of people, so The United States of America steps in and fills the void left by the universe, and yes, dear child our land of the free and home of the brave will see to it that the living you are owed by the mere fact that you exist will be paid for by the state. The state will do this by taking money away from people that earn it and giving it to you, bless your little heart.

As far as I can read in the Bible or in books about nature no creature is afforded any remuneration based on the lone fact of existence. Due to my limited intellect I am unable to distinguish between robbery and the concept of redistributing wealth via the use of force.

This line of thinking was brought to the fore of grey matter hidden deep within the old skull, as I realized two presidential candidates are working their fingers to the bone in an attempt, (In my case in vain) to convince us poor slobs that they, the near messianic incarnations are going to give to us morons who labor for a bit of bread, what the universe refuses to do and that is to reward indolence.

I never cared all that much for the universe, so to discover that it is neutral concerning me doesn't bother me all that much. And of course when I refused to flee to my refuge, God, insisting the He come to me, with a nice check, well you know how far this line got. He did drive my mind to 1 Timothy 5:8 "But if any provide not for his own, and specially for those of his own house, he hath denied the faith, and is worse than an infidel."

Isn't it amazing how God and the universe are in agreement!! I sure am glad that our now socialist country is out of touch with reality.

Larry Lilly Copyright © 2008 Use with credit

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