Personal Blogs

“I have made this letter longer than usual because
I have not had time to make it shorter.”
— Blaise Pascal

 Why Are You a Christian?

Someone asked me last night if I could explain why I am a Christian in 100 words.
For you students on Creative Writing modules, you’ll know how challenging concise writing can be — but here goes:

As a boy on the island of Bute, far from Glasgow’s dark slums, I would sit in my secret place — my smultronställe, as the Swedes would say — and gaze at the night sky, wondering who made the moon and stars. In time, I learned it was the Lord: The Maker of galaxies and of man, crafted in His own image.

Then came Jesus, walking among us, showing what it truly means to be human — to mirror the Father’s light, to forgive, to serve, to love one’s neighbour even unto death.
In Him, I found grace, purpose, and peace. I found my way

When I behold Your heavens,
the work of Your fingers,
the moon and the stars,
which You have set in place —
what is man that You are mindful of him,
or the son of man that You care for him?

Psalm 8:3–4 (BSB)

Note

The Swedish phrase “smultronställe” literally means “wild strawberry place,” but it carries a much deeper, emotional meaning in Swedish culture. A smultronställe is a personal, often hidden spot that holds special significance, peace, or nostalgia. It might be a place from childhood, a quiet lakeside, or simply somewhere that makes you feel wholly yourself.

Image by https://unsplash.com/@owen_was

The first time I felt the concept of Kâmtéa  was back when I was twelve years old. I spent the summer on The Island of Bute, we had a cabin on Bogany Farm. There were around sixty cabins, and families would visit on two-week vacations.

The year in question I met new friends whom we shared many hours with. We made a tree swing in the woods, and we would talk for hours on end. Bonds would form, but when you are twelve years old, such bonds are so easily broken when we are under the authority of our guardians.

You see, my friends would have to return home, and I would be left as lonely as an empty pocket with only the moon and stars for company.

The song, Cottonfields by Creedence Clearwater Revival played frequently on the radio that year and every time I hear it now, I still feel that sense of Kâmtéa welling up.

Kâmtéa in the Khmer language captures a deep emotional state, often associated with sadness, mourning, or the experience of loss.