A member of my Thursday breakfast group has been away for four weeks on a wilderness trip. He told us this morning that today was the first morning he had read a newspaper or seen the news in over four weeks. Another diner asked, “Now that you read today’s paper, which is better — knowing or not knowing?” My friend said, “By far, not knowing.”
I think we can all identify with my friend from time to time. For example, not knowing what our college age children are doing is a good reason to send them to a college not very close to home.
Not knowing is usually not an option for most of us, at least for any length of time. But I admit there are times murmuring to myself, “I’d rather not know.” Especially when it comes to the legislative process or how sausage is made.
I’m pretty sure God says, “I don’t want to know.” when he looks down from heaven and sees what this world is up to. In fact, God’s forgiveness works almost in that way. I know some religions require confession and penance before we can be forgiven, but I tend to believe that God is more like the Father in the parable of “The Prodigal Son.” All God requires is that we return to him, all the rest is stuff he’s rather not know.
Perhaps we could all use a little more attitude that includes a little bit of “I don’t want to know. Your presence is all that counts.”
Karl Deutsch said, “The single greatest power in the world today is the power to change.” Sometimes to change we need to include in our mindset a bit of “I don’t want to know.”
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