Perhaps we should begin in the beginning, even though it would appear that by Chapter Three we have already begun. But then this particular beginning never really stops beginning, and because it is never really finished beginning it never ends, which is rather odd, since most things that begin end up ending. But not this beginning, and it's a good thing too, because this is not the type of beginning that you would wish to end. It's not at all like a visit to the dentist, which most people wish would end before it begins. No, this beginning is quite welcome to continue.
      I generally find beginnings to be friendly sorts of things, not at all like most endings. And this beginning is particularly friendly, because it is one of those things someone does for you that you can't do for yourself. After it has been done for you it's yours and you get to keep it and use it whenever you like, which in the case of this particular beginning, is pretty much all the time.
      The beginning is a promise, a promise experienced in Water and Word, a promise of never ending, unconditional love, which is the only kind of love worth having. It is God's promise to treat us, not as we are used to being treated, or used to treating, as the case may be, but as God's own dearly, loved children. Which, when I think about it, is quite a friendly sort of surprise.

"How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called the children of God. And that is what we are!" 1 John 3:1

      Pooh and Piglet were tracking tracks in the snow around a small spinney of Larch trees. Each time they came round the spinney there were more tracks then before. This was more than a little frightening and so they began to think of a brave way to end their tracking adventure. And then, just at the right time, they heard a voice from above. It was Christopher Robin sitting in his big Oak tree. As he came down the tree he asked Pooh and Piglet what they were doing going round and round the spinney.

"Wait a moment," said Winnie-the-Pooh, holding up his paw.
He sat down and thought, in the most thoughtful way he could think. Then he fitted his paw into one of the Tracks... and then he scratched his nose twice and stood up.
"Yes," said Winne-the-Pooh
"I see now," said Winnie-the-Pooh.
"I have been Foolish and Deluded," said he, "and I am a Bear of No Brain at All."
"You're the Best Bear in All the World," said Christopher Robin.
(Winnie-the-Pooh by A.A. Milne; E.P. Dutton & Co., New York; 1950, p. 41)

      I don't remember the first time I felt like Pooh, foolish and deluded lamenting my lack of brain, but I don't imagine it took very much living. In fact, it seems to me that there is much in life  that would lead one to Pooh's sorry conclusion.
      Self doubt is very frightening, kind of like tracking tracks that keep multiplying. So some hide their fear by pretending not to care until they pretend so well that they really don't. Others hide in make believe worlds where pain and fear is deadened by intoxication until they really do die. Still others try to control their fear by attacking with fists or words or silence until there is no one left to attack except themselves.
      And that is why this beginning that never ends is so important. When everything and everyone, including yourself, has convinced you that you are foolish and deluded and are a Bear of No Brain at All, God tells us differently.
"You're the Best Bear in All the World."
"And that is what we are!"