Dear Elfrieda

 Dear Elfrieda,

My Dad got involved with a very bad group of people. He used to preach at us and he went to church and so did my mom. They pretended to be such good Christians. Finally, I saw the truth. Well, whenever my mom wants to avoid talking about anything... that is what she says. Well. Now I know she's not well. Do you know that song 'It is well with my soul?' I wish that was the way my parents were but they're not. A confession of adultery (not very romantic), left me feeling sick to my stomach. This happened on the weekend. Most people would never believe that this couple was gathering a very bad group of people and asking for donations to build a church. Nobody should give to that group. Someone said they would have to call it the f...ing church because that is how much adultery was practised. Please put the word out that they do not practise THE WORD, as the Scriptures warn.

I am so embarrassed to have to call them my parents. My sister has also gone the way of the wayward and I feel so alone in this predicament.

Timothy was a good man, in the Bible, so I will borrow his name so that I might become good... 

like him.

                                                                                                Tim (of the Bible)

Dear Tim,

Many years ago, I made a baby quilt for a Timothy. Life seemed so promising for this lad who went to experience a little Bible in Texas. This Timothy was really having a hard time with all the 'very strict' rules. I wrote a poem for this Timothy and maybe it will help you now. 

You are very wise to tell people not to give money to this bad church start- up for upstarts.

This poem is my copyright.

                                                    I Stand Amazed

This morning God took time out of his busy schedule to listen to me                                                

I was so amazed that he listened so attentively

He tapped not a toe, he drummed not a finger

In fact, I believe he encouraged me to linger

Not once did he glance at the clock to see

If maybe we could wrap them up, neatly

He missed not a nuance, he knew every sign

Attentive to each little groan of mine

To 'be present' for people, is the answer you see

God teaches us how, as He listens with glee

He hears every problem, He hears each concern

He knows every child that wants to learn

As He takes note of every hair upon my bowed head

He invites me to 'listening prayer' instead

It's very hard to develop this art

But truly this is the center of God's heart.

Author: Elfrieda Written February 26, 2008.