Whenever I pick up a book about religion, I’m curious about the author’s sensibility. Here’s mine:
I believe in the God of Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Sarah, Rebecca, Rachel, and Leah (but I can never get the matriarchs in the right order).
I believe that God is what God is, and that my attempts to understand are by definition imperfect.
I believe that we’re supposed to struggle with the material, and I hope God sees engagement in the struggle as a sign of faith.
I believe it’s important to teach my daughter to love God and that we have responsibilities larger than ourselves.
I believe that a life of faith is best lived out in community.
I believe that my life has been enriched by my Christian upbringing and enriched again by being in Jewish community.
I believe that God loves us all, and that learning to understand each other is part of the test.
I believe that sometimes the test you think you’re taking and the one you’re really taking are two different things.
I believe in the still small voice and grace and love and forgiveness.
I believe in divine nudges—that God doesn’t cause bad things, but sometimes nudges us toward good things when we’re quiet and listening.
I believe in “do justice, love mercy, and walk humbly with your God.”
I believe that when I walk off the edge of my own map, I should try to be brave and open and see what I can learn.
This is beautiful, Pam. And I believe it is true.
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Pam, I believe very much as you do. Thank you for this beautiful piece.
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I love the idea of a divine nudge and the reminder that we often r not taking the test we thought we were.
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