William P. Young or Wm. Paul Young

I met the author of The Shack last night. And heard him tell the story of how The Shack, became a best seller. And heard how it has been used by God to reach people, and offer healing. And I left with much respect for Paul, for he took none of the credit for it. He attributed it all to God. He explained it this way, he wrote the book for his children, and gave it them as a gift. And then God gave it to his children. So here is what I took away, or at least a small part of what I did.
-It's all about relationship. About the relationship between God, Jesus and the Holy Spirit. If they aren't relating to one another, how can there be a relationship between us and them. Since we are made in their image, we are made for relationship. For relationship between our creator and other creations. When we live devoid of these relationships we are missing the greatest piece of life.
-Paul prayed, while writing this book for his children, not for blessings on his project. But that if God was doing something cool, could he show up and be part of it, even if it was cleaning toilets? Oh, I needed to hear this. I have a ton of ideas, some pretty grand. And I'd like God to give me the go-ahead, bless it, and may it be marvelous. In all honesty - this is more about me than him. So instead; God, if your doing something cool, can I please be a part of it? Even if it means no one except you knows. Even if it means surrendering my own grand ideas. I have an inkling of what it could actually mean. But I'm not about to put it out there in writing.
-God is a God of details. That the tapestry he creates is made of individual threads. All those small moments woven together. In the day to day life, it's easy to fall into the trap that the small things don't matter. The person you greet at church, the card you send, the child you help, the person you reach out to. But it does. God uses all of it to tell his story. To tell others that they are loved. And that they matter.
-God uses modern day parables to teach us through those wiser than us. Paul's story resonates because it speaks to us in the place that religion is unable. That the God of relationship heals what the "God" of religion can't. I'm not bashing organized religion. Although to be honest I could. But that is a whole other post. But the God that most churches teach is not a God that can heal and restore. (not all churches, but most). It's a God who must be appeased. Who gives out approval based on our meeting some elses expectations. And yet, that is not the God I've found in his word to us. It's not the God who healed my heart. Which was wounded in part, by the very people and church who were suppose to teach me who God was. They were wrong. Very, very wrong. The God they offered was way to small to love the darkest part of me. I have found that God is so much more. He forgave Peter. He redeemed Saul, and gave him a new identity. He repeatedly went to the dirtiest and loved them. That includes me. This story, of Papa and Mack, gave me an understanding of God that I needed put into words.
-Forgiveness means surrendering to God what is his already. It means leaving the judgement of those who have hurt you, to him. It means accepting that he may redeem the person, even if you believe they aren't worthy of it. The most powerful story he told last night, demonstrated this beautifully. He wrote this to his children, with no idea the book would be read in prisons across the country. That Papa defending the 'bad' guy would be read by the 'bad' guy.
He visited a woman's correctional facility, and spoke. After he spoke, he was signing books. A woman came up and hugged him. Midway through the hug, she broke down in sobs. She asked, "Do you think Papa is fond of ME?" And his reply, "Especially of you." And then she looked at him and said, "Thanks that is all I need to hear." Isn't that what we all long to know. That God, is especially fond of US. Not Paul Young, not the pastor, not the Proverbs 31 woman, but US. In our own state of yuck, he is still especially fond of us. And that his forgiveness covers it all. And allows us, made in his image, to offer to surrender to him, the other persons condition. Allows what is true anyways, to be true in our hearts.
-That people still need God. Last night was a fundraiser for a secular group. It was in no way a 'church' event. And yet, the place was full. And there was no mistake about what Paul believed. The truth was not watered down. God loves you. Enough to send Jesus for you. He wants to know you, and for you to know him. He doesn't want religious acts, but relationship. And he is fond of you. Especially of you. God is still moving, he is still actively pursuing us. And he is relentless in his pursuit of us.

He signed my book ' Anita, Grace sings your name! You matter.' God is relentlessly pursuing me, to know him. How amazing is that? That I matter, and that Grace, God's relentless pursuit of me, sings my name. And he sings yours. He is especially fond of you too.

Okay, there is more, it was a pretty rich night. But that is what I want to remember a year from now.