I ran away from home when I was 6 years old.

Fed up with my parent’s oppression.

They always told me what to do.

“Get to bed, Mister!”

They told me how to think.

“Be respectful of grown-ups!”

They even told me how to feel.

“Boys don’t hit girls! You should be ashamed!”

Full of indignation, I packed a suitcase.

I told mom, “I’m running away!”

Then I headed out the door.

Away from the authoritarian prison I once called home.

I hoped Mom would come to her senses and stop me.

Scamper across the lawn, throw herself at my feet and beg me to forgive her.

But she didn’t.

So I kept walking.

All the way to the edge of the front yard.

I stopped there because I wasn’t allowed to cross the street.

I sat on the curb next to my suitcase and ate crackers all morning.

If you’ve decided to run away from religion, make a plan first!

Before you leave, figure out where you’re going to go.

Running AWAY from home means running TOWARD someplace else.

I get it. You’re angry.

The God of the Bible always telling you what to do!

Always trying to change you!

Enough already!

You’re leaving!

Some church people beg you to stay.

They apologize for being close-minded, bigoted and insensitive.

It feels good when they grovel but you’re still angry.

So you leave.

…to sit on the curb eating crackers.

You blog about your ‘journey’ while you’re still in the front yard.

Get a map and figure out where you’re gonna go after you leave Christianity.

But I’ll warn you (because I’m thoughtful and kind)…

…you’re headed into a wasteland.

Nothing beats the gospel of Jesus Christ.

Saying, “I’m not religious” doesn’t cut it.

It makes you a petulant 6-year old with a suitcase.

---

As a result of this many of His disciples withdrew and were not walking with Him anymore.  So Jesus said to the twelve, “You do not want to go away also, do you?”  Simon Peter answered Him, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have words of eternal life.  We have believed and have come to know that You are the Holy One of God.” (John 6:66)