Dialogues with the Almighty - Session 2
Session 2. 05-11-25 REW
Why?
Why did you have to take him? He was only 22. He had to overcome so much in his life, why did he have to go so soon? The pneumo meningitis that he had at age 1 left him subject to grand mal convulsions and left scar tissue in his brain that meant he would have a learning disability and be on medication most of his life! Wasn’t that enough?
“Are you done?”
No! He was a really good son and wanted to help people. He didn’t deserve to die so early in his life. What more did you want from him?
“He did fine, how about you?”
What do you mean?
“You mentioned his illness – do you remember his odds of survival were less than 50%. You asked for my help at that time. It would seem your prayer was answered for 20 additional years. Those 20 years were pretty special. You didn’t have behavioral problems that many parents experience, and he even got a college degree despite the learning disability. Why aren’t you thanking me for those 20 great years of lend lease?”
I didn’t think about in that way.
I even sent you a telepathic teddy bear, as strange as that may seem, to carry his spirit on in your life. He told you his name was Timmy, your son’s middle name. He told you that he couldn’t communicate directly with your son but that he was here with me and doing well. You didn’t recognize the uniqueness of that gift.”
You work in some strange ways.
“Well, maybe you should be focusing on how you can use those good years and good memories as inspiration to do things that would honor him. That way he will continue to live in your mind until you meet again.”
Boy, you really know how to hit somebody when they’re down.
“I know you’re still hurting, but it’s time you move on. Let’s make him proud of your accomplishments on his behalf.”
OK. You’ve given me a lot to digest that I wasn’t expecting, so let me think about how to respond to your suggestions and we can talk some more. Thank you, I think.
Dialogues with the Almighty - Session 1
Session 1 05-11-25 REW
Hi Guy,
It’s been quite a while since we’ve chatted. I’ve seen some really horrific things. I’ve done some dreadful deeds. Some of these come back in nightmares. I thought I had potential but I feel like I’ve failed in many ways. I’ve lost those closest to me and I now know what loneliness is like. My days are tough and I don’t see them getting any better, nor do I have the desire to get involved with current issues. I think I’m done. Are you ready for me?
“I know the issues – I’ve been here. You’ve had the tools to persevere and you’ve built a depth of experience that only you possess.. What do you think I would suggest?”
Oh! …I think you’d probably tell me to stop whining and do something – no, not just something – something beneficial.
“And?”
I think you’d tell me to stop thinking of myself so much. I suspect you’d tell me that the only thing limiting me is me.
“Anything else?”
I think you’d tell me I have no idea how tough some days can really be and that they are tougher because I haven’t made enough of an effort to make them better. I guess I’d better work on my attitude.
“So how could you change things?”
Well ,- - - there are lots of lonely people like me – perhaps I could find someone and befriend them. But how do I find them. I hear you! I could contact a doctor at a pediatric facility and ask for a reference to a lonely child that needs some attention. Likewise, I could volunteer at a facility for the elderly. I could join a discussion group of interest. As a veteran, I could find some acquaintances and invite them to join me for lunch or I could reach out to one of the chaplains and find a group of vets that are currently meeting. There are so many things I could do – You’re right, I’m lonely because I’ve been to lazy to build some new relationships. I can do better.
“Well done. That is a good beginning, but just a beginning.”
I guess my attitude has been pretty negative – you’d probably suggest I become more positive. I could look for a way to put a smile on someone’s face each day and maybe I could look for humorous material that I could share with others. I should be able to do more than this, though.
“You’ll never know the significance of your actions. I can make mountains from mole hills.”
I guess I need a plan for the future that takes advantage of the experience you mentioned and the interests that I’ve ignored.
“That will only help if you find a way to work it.”
Accountability has to be a daily/weekly thing. I’ll need to commit to detail tasks, communicate them to someone and report how I’ve done to them. That sounds like Wesley. Maybe I could start small in this manner and build toward a grander vision. I know the youth at our church are looking for drivers. I’ll have to become safe sanctuary trained. I know my way around a grill quite well – that could also be a first commitment for this week. This week I can also focus on the church calendar and the local community at large for opportunities to participate in a positive manner both short and long term. Building the future plan will be the goal for the activities in a weekly accountability document. I’ll also have to find someone to be accountable to.
“I’ll be watching.”
I think this prayer has changed my perspective. Let me see how well I can perform this week. Maybe we should talk more than once a decade! Bye for now.