The Book of Longings

by Sue Monk Kidd

Inanna the Goddess, queen of heaven, and Yahweh’s adversary.

I could no longer believe in the God of punishments and rescues.

“I tell myself their hearts are boulders and their heads are straw.”

I said, “You speak as if God’s kingdom is not just a place on earth, but a place inside us.” “So I believe.” “Then does God live in the Temple in Jerusalem or in this kingdom inside us?” “Can he not live in both?” he asked. I felt a sudden blazing up inside and threw my arms open. “Can he not live everywhere?” His laughter resounded off the cave walls, but his smile lingered on me. “I think for you, too, God cannot be contained.”

would let Jesus have his hidden place that was his alone. We had our togetherness—why should we not have our separateness?

“We will teach you about our God and you will teach us about yours, and together we’ll find the God that exists behind them.”

“I know, Ana. She is difficult. You don’t have to feel love for her. Only try to act with love.”