Understand, that's okay by me, so long as you do call me now and then, even if only to say hello. Sadly, some of you don't call me at all, which is a shame, but I've left that choice to you, under the Free Will policy I instituted with Adam and Eve.

There are also some person-made complexities as to my nature, my prescribed rules for your behavior and the rituals involving me and 'thee.' (That example of archaic language is one thing I could do without, by the way.)

But these differences among you only bother me when they (and you) get into squabbles, such as when subgroups among you claim to be superior to others. In my house, there are many rooms, so there's no need to fight over whose space is whose.

Anyway, this letter isn't about that heavy stuff. I started you off down there with a few simple rules - like caring about each other -and I often wish you hadn't gummed things up with false pride, excessive greed, power struggles, sheer meanness, and quibbling about how many angels can dance on the head of a pin. (I've never given that question much thought, by the way).. This is about the "Father" business.

I happen to like that title best of all, because it means someone who is not only respected and loved, but, more importantly, someone who cares enough about his children to support them and guide them through the problems they encounter in life.

That's the job I like best - and that's the stuff I most like to hear from you about, which IS the subject matter of this letter. (Sorry it took me so long to get here, but you must allow for the fact that I'm working through an aging and wordy word worker).

If you think of me as your Father (and please do!), for heaven's sake, talk to me as you would to a human Dad. Okay, I'm a few cuts above that in the pecking order, but I'm still basically a Dad in my heart of hearts.

So, instead of always "praying" to me in stilted language, why not just talk to me as though you were sitting on my knee? (Never mind that I don't actually have one; that's the sort of irrelevant diversion that keeps us apart.) As many of you believe, my Son referred to me as Abba in that nice piece of work I helped Mark to write (14.36, if you want to look it up).

Technically, the word means God, but at the time He used it, in the Garden of Gethsemane, He was hurting a lot, and I interpreted "Abba" as meaning the same as "Daddy" in your language. In moments like that, He and I never stood on ceremony, and we didn't use stuffy words. When he needed me, he always knew I was there for him - and I always was.

You can know (as in believe) the same. I'm not your Father on an "if" or "when" basis. I love you, regardless of who you are, or what you've done. You're my kid, even when you've screwed things up- never forget that! Remember, too, that I can and will forgive your screw-ups (read trespasses or debts, if you'd prefer), and my forgiveness is unconditional; that's one godly talent I pretty much reserve to myself, but it wouldn't hurt you to try emulating it.

In return, I only ask that you love (i.e., care about) your neighbor, even that miserable so-and-so whose guts you hate with a passion. The opposite of love, you see, is not hate, but indifference. (You DO see that, don't you?)

Please don't stand on ceremony with me. You want something, and you want it big-time? Tell me so. I may not always give it to you, but I'll always listen, and I'll always understand your feelings; that's what Dads do, even when they can't turn every dream into reality.

If you're unhappy with me, say so, and tell me why; that's what kids do, even when they're dead wrong. If you're a parent, you already know that. When you think I've helped you, be sure to say "thanks," and when you think I've come up short, keep on nagging me; that's how children wear down their parents, and I'm no exception to that weakness.

So, what's on your mind, kid - I'm listening!
Love, Abba (a.k.a. Dad)