The Presence of Doubt
Mark 6:14-29
Illustration
by David Heller

You are familiar with David Heller's delightful little book, Dear God: Children's Letters to God.  There are some wonderfully witty observations. For example,

Dear God, What do you think about all those movies made about you around Easter time? I think they're kind of corny, myself. Your buddy, Charles (age 9)

Dear God, What do you do with families that don't have much faith? There's a family on the next block like that. I don't want to get them in trouble, so I can't say who. See you in church. Alexis (age 10)

Dear God, Want to hear a joke? What is red, very long, and you hear it right before you go to sleep? Give up? A sermon. Your friend, Frank (age 11)

Then there is this one from a youngster who sees all the misery in the world and wonders: "Dear God, I have doubts about you sometimes. Sometimes I really believe. Like when I was four and I hurt my arm and you healed it up fast. But my question is, if you could do this why don't you stop all the bad in the world? Like war. Like diseases. Like famine. Like drugs. And there are problems in other people's neighborhoods, too. I'll try to believe more. Ian (age 10)"

Is there any of young Ian in you? If you are honest, probably. Undoubtedly, there was some Ian in John the Baptist.

Dear God: Children’s Letters to God, by David Heller