A Lesson from Everybody Loves Raymond
I rewatched an episode of Everybody Loves Raymond the other night—the one where his daughter Ally looks up at her daddy and asks the question every parent dreads:
“Why are we born? Why did God put us here?”
Which is really the same old question wrapped in small hands:
What’s the meaning of life, Dad?
Poor Ray.
Poor Debra.
And poor everyone who heard the question and immediately spiraled into a theological meltdown in the living room. It really was hilarious. Season 6, episode 19 if you want to watch it.
God Meets Us Where We Are
While the characters debated, I talked with Abba in that quiet way He has of nudging thoughts into place while I go about living my life.
He never fails to talk with me right where I am. Even with a remote in my hand.
Thoughts of my own children overtook me.
I asked myself:
Why did I give them life?
Why did I want them in the world?
The Answer
The answer came to me clearly:
Because I wanted someone to love.
Someone who came from me.
Someone whose existence brought joy simply by being.
Flesh of my flesh.
Heart of my heart.
That’s it.
That’s the whole reason.
And right there, Abba whispered:
“Yes. That’s why I made you, too.”
Not a Project. Not a Burden.
Not as a project.
Not as a burden.
Not as an obligation.
Not as someone to service Him.
Not as someone to work for Him.
Not a servant or a slave.
But as someone to love.
Even when we don’t love Him back.
Even when we blame Him for not stepping in and stopping the damage someone else’s free will caused.
Even when we misunderstand Him, misquote Him, misjudge Him.
He just keeps loving.
No conditions.
No arm twisting.
No forced affection.
Just love that waits.
Watching Their Children Live
The episode ended with Ray and Debra standing back and watching their kids play—laughing, tumbling around, unaware of the cosmic question they’d dropped in their parents’ laps.
Ray and Debra didn’t try to control the moment.
They didn’t choreograph their kids’ joy.
They just watched them live.
And they loved the view.
Seeing Abba in the Ordinary
And in that scene, I saw Him.
A Father who revels in the simple fact that we exist.
A Father who watches His kids laugh and breathe and grow and struggle and learn.
A Father who stands back—not because He’s uncaring, but because love that forces itself isn’t love at all.
He created mankind because He wanted someone to love.
Someone shaped in His image.
Someone who carries His traits without even trying.
The Real Question
The real question isn’t:
“Why were we born?”
The real question is:
“Will I accept the love I was made for?”
Because His love is better than my love.
Better than any parent’s love.
He loves us enough to stand back.
He loves us enough to let us make our choices.
He loves us enough to let us misunderstand Him.
He loves us enough to let us reject Him—while never removing His affection.
The Truth That Remains
He wanted someone to love.
And that someone is you.
Stories of My Redeemer's Voice 
Leave a comment