A stranger was talking and this is what he said:
“I rescued you from a filthy prison and dragged you through the sea to wash away the lies you lived on. I was the only one who did that so don’t go looking for any other rescuer.
I am not an imaginary image of an imaginary rescuer, I’m for real, so stick with reality!
It is stupid to look for fancy theories so don’t make a fool of yourself. I am the only one who knows how to think straight.
If you rent me out as a swear word or a throw-away line, I will bite the hand of the borrower so don’t put anyone else where they will get bitten.
I want you to be very specific about something: I have set aside a regular time for you to come to see me and to bring your family and friends. This way, we will never forget each other and never mistake each other for someone else. Oh, and bring the family pets with you – I like to see you as a unit because I made you all.
And remember to include your Mum and Dad because I identify you with them.
When you get to know me better you will know that I never fly off the handle or hit out blindly. Be like me and stop and think. It keeps us from doing insane things and from being unfaithful to each other.
I will always give you exactly what you need, even if it is hardship, so you don’t need to thieve from rubbish bins. Neither do you need to give credence to wild stories about the people next door. They do a good enough number on themselves!
And don’t envy them. I certainly don’t and I like you best the way you are.”
It sounded like the Ten Commandments.
As he left he said, ‘I have called you friends, because I have disclosed to you everything that I heard from my Father.’ John 15:15
Elizabeth Price
Team writer with Just a Minute