A Chat With God

Hello God.

Why, hello Bern.  You have questions.

Yes I do.  I'll start off with an easy one.
2 of our daughters, Holly and Anna, had sons born a mere 3 days apart, after we grandparents waited over 5 years for another grandchild.  How did this happen?
Go ask your daughters.

I see. Got it. You're expecting more serious questions. Here you go:
Tornadoes, volcanoes, and earthquakes happen all the time.  And you do not intervene. 
For those who truly believe, it seems perplexing.
For those who truly believe, it shall be clear.

So it is all about believing in you. Seems belief in you is like a light switch.
Switch off.  I don't believe.  I am alone.
Switch on.  I do believe.  I am never alone.
A perfect analogy.
No other requirements then?  Amazing.
Yes, after the light switches to on, believing can be amazing.

I keep the sick people I know in my thoughts each night.  Is thinking about a person as good as praying for him or her?
Thinking about a sick person, is praying for that person.

Then I'll forget about praying.
Has praying not worked for you in the past?
Oh, it has on occasion. I recall praying form 1968 to 1970, and missed going to Vietnam.
Your next question...?

Sometimes, well many times, my mind does wander.
Oh, that's what you've been doing.
Well now, don't pick on me. How do I stop the wandering?
Concentrate Bern.
Really?  Such an earthly answer.  Nothing more to say?
Nothing more to say.

Let's continue. Why do some die young?
Why does mankind need to suffer?
Sure, that's exactly what I mean.
Where do you think the suffering should stop?
No one bleeds.  No one feels the loneliness.
And then of course no one knows hunger...
Why yes, of course. That's a given.
And no one sees a blister rise on the hand at the end of a day's work.
No one misses a loved one who is away, only to rejoice once that loved one is back.
No one toils, while knowing in his heart, it is for the good of mankind.
No one feels the ice cold snowflake touch the face during a newly fallen snow.
Good answers God.

So who lives to old age?
Well, you take the pythagorean theorem and insert your present age at the hypotenuse.
Oh man, I'll need to write that down. Really didn't think you'd be so forthright.
Bern, don't write it down. I'm only joking. You seem to take jokes better than other humans.
I couldn't resist. You can be assured this won't happen again. Go ahead.
That was quite funny, God.
Yes, yes, I may have your answer. 
And you must know I may not hear it.

How can I be a better disciple here on earth?
Put others before yourself.  Listen very closely.  For those in need are calling softly for you to help.
Cool.  I'm already doing that.
Bern, you are not as far along as you think.

How do I overcome my prejudices?  Sad to say I still have a bushel.  Some are ingrained from my childhood.  I believe, that on the day my last prejudice leaves me, I shall be an old man in failing health.
I believe you are more comfortable giving Me that as an excuse, rather than trying harder now.

God, here's another one. I look and see successes and disappointments.  Why is it harder for some to find success than others?
Why, they define success by their neighbor's success.
True. Quite true.  But really now, for some, success just doesn't seem to ever come along.
They DEFINE success by their NEIGHBOR'S success!
Oh, sorry about that. My mind wanders you know.

Well, thank you God.
God? God? You still there?
Hmmm, I guess we're done chatting.