My name is Johnny, and I am going to be 10 years old next week (December 26 is my birthday). I am writing to You because I have some things I would like You to be aware of, and I have a lot of questions on my mind.
For example, I wonder why people don't celebrate You any more at Christmas time. It seems now all they care about is themselves or the gifts they buy; and You hardly ever hear the carols anymore unless we are at church. I also don't understand why people don't pray to You like they used to, and I wonder why people are punished for believing in You. It's like You were removed from Christmas, and if You want to know the truth, I don't like it ONE BIT!!
Why must this go on? And why must there be so much hatred and killing going on in this world? Why did stuff like September 11 have to happen; why did so many people have to die the way they did? Why did the World Trade Centers have to burn and then fall? It broke my heart when I saw those buildings fall; it also broke my heart because those people didn't have to die the way they did! Jesus, I knew a lady who had worked there (she was a friend of another friend), and she died when the planes hit. She died instantly. And for WHAT? What did we do to deserve being attacked the way we were, and why did so many people have to die that awful day? I still have bad dreams about it, and I still can't understand why people hate America. What is wrong with being free, and what is wrong with believing in You?
It just doesn't seem to make any sense whatsoever!
Why do people have to be poor, and why are there so many horrible diseases like cancer or AIDS or small pocks (pox) in the world? Why isn't there a way to make these diseases go away? I, myself, have muscular dystrophy, and my doctors don't think I will live to be a teenager. I am now getting weaker and weaker, and it is getting harder and harder for me to do things I was once able to do. I need a lot more help now, more than I used to, and frankly, I don't like being this way! I don't like seeing my family be so sad, and I wish you could heal me of my disease!
Why must there be wars or threats made against people just because they happen to be different or just because they believe in something different than somebody else? Also, while I am thinking about this, why is Sadam Husan and Osama Laden still alive? Why isn't nothing being done to find these guys and then punish them? Why are they still being allowed to hurt people? Why must there be nasty stuff shown on tv, and why do people laugh when a lady is rapped (raped) or sexally (sexually) hurt? And why are there nasty things on tv? Just the other day, I couldn't sleep, and when I turned on my tv there was some program about grown up ladies lifting up their shirts and their boobies were hanging out. The ladies were laughing, and they were acting stupid! It was disgusting, and I saw NOTHING funny about it! I couldn't believe what I saw, and in a hurry, I shut it off QUICK!! Why can't You just come down here and stop this nasty stuff from happening? Don't You even CARE or LOVE us any more, Jesus?
It's like the Devil has come and made this world a MESS. It (the world) has certainly changed from the time I was real small, and it seems that since they took prayer out of the schools and homes, more and more bad things are happening, and it's like You are ignoring Your People (I know You are NOT, but at times I wonder, especially when I think about all the hatred and killings going on in the world, and all the wars, and stuff that is so nasty that is going on). I get so sad when I see all this stuff going on, and I wish You could just come down and make it all better instead of making us wait until You come back. Jesus, You said You were coming back, but I don't know when that is. WHEN ARE YOU COMING AGAIN, and HOW SOON is that going to be? Why don't You give me a Sign or something; that way, I could have SOME idea WHEN You are coming!
I know I have asked many questions, but these are questions I have had on my mind and heart these last several months, and since September 11 I haven't been the same. I am a lot sadder, for one thing, and I am so scared we will get attacked again, and I don't know what I would do if that were to happen. And I can't understand why You aren't a part of Christmas any more. It doesn't seem right! And I have asked questions about different things because I have seen some pretty bad stuff, and I was wondering why all this bad stuff is being allowed to happen. So I decided to write You a letter, just so You know what was on my mind.
Thank You for listening, Jesus. I hope You can answer these questions.
Most sincerely, Your friend, Johnny Sandusky, aged 9 1/2 (will be 10 years old next Thursday!!).
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Author's Note:
I got the idea to do this story after reading a story Michelle Kidwell did about a child writing a letter to Jesus. I liked it so much I decided to do MY version of the same story. It is similar, but it is decidedly different. I hope you liked what I wrote. It is a child who has a lot of questions, and so he decided to write them down to Jesus in a form of a letter, in hopes of getting answers.
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Reviewed by 000 000
10/19/2008
TALENT! Karen, I loved this and you have once again have written something beautiful-to make people think and be aware how Jesus seems to be the only one not at the party these days.
CarolHawks
The passion poured forth holds the reader's attention despite the litany of unanswerable questions. Using a child's voice is an effective means to put the message forth, and you have done well in this, Karen. It makes a simple statement more prominent in its very essence.
Stephanie
this is a lovely letter...it asks the same questions many of us still ask...even adults are asking these questions...WHY? heartfelt and sad...but well written. (((HUGS))) and love, karla. :(
