Conversation with God
 22 March 2006

Article 1 / 4

THE INTERVIEW WITH GOD

I dreamed I had an interview with God.

“So you would like to interview me?” God asked.

“If you have the time” I said.

God smiled. “My time is eternity.”
“What questions do you have in mind for me?”

“What surprises you most about humankind?”

God answered...
“That they get bored with childhood, they rush to grow up, and then long to be children again.”

“That they lose their health to make money... and then lose their money to restore their health.”

“That by thinking anxiously about the future, they forget the present, such that they live in neither the present nor the future.”

"That they live as if they will never die, and die as though they had never lived.”

God’s hand took mine and we were silent for a while.

And then I asked...
“As a parent, what are some of life’s lessons you want your children to learn?”

“To learn they cannot make anyone love them. All they can do is let themselves be loved.”

“To learn that it is not good to compare themselves to others.”

“To learn to forgive by practicing forgiveness.”

“To learn that it only takes a few seconds to open profound wounds in those they love, and it can take many years to heal them.”

“To learn that a rich person is not one who has the most, but is one who needs the least.”

“To learn that there are people who love them dearly, but simply have not yet learned how to express or show their feelings.”

“To learn that two people can look at the same thing and see it differently.”

“To learn that it is not enough that they forgive one another, but they must also forgive themselves.”

"Thank you for your time," I said humbly.

"Is there anything else you would like your children to know?"

GOD smiled and said,
“Just know that I am here... always.”

Article 2 / 4

Call from God

A : Hello. Did you call me?
B: Called you? No. who is this?

A : This is heaven. I heard your prayers. So I thought I will chat.
B: I do pray. Just makes me feel good. I am actually busy now. I am in the midst of something..

A: What are you busy at? Ants are busy too.
B: Don't know. But I can't find free time. Life has become hectic. It's rush hour all the time.

A : Sure. Activity gets you busy. But productivity gets you results. Activity consumes time. Productivity frees it.
B: I understand. But I still cant figure out. By the way, I was not expecting YOU to buzz me on instant messaging chat.

A: Well I wanted to resolve your fight for time, by giving you some clarity. In this net era, I wanted to reach you through the medium you are comfortable with.
B: Tell me, why has life become complicated now?

A: Stop analyzing life. Just live it. Analysis is what makes it complicated.
B: why are we then constantly unhappy?

A : Your today is the tomorrow that you worried about yesterday. You are worrying because you are analyzing. Worrying has become your habit. That's why you are not happy.
B: But how can we not worry when there is so much uncertainty?

A: Uncertainty is inevitable, but worrying is optional.
B: But then, there is so much pain due to uncertainty..

A: Pain is inevitable, but suffering is optional.
B: If suffering is optional, why do good people always suffer?

A: Diamond cannot be polished without friction. Gold cannot be purified without fire. Good people go through trials, but don't suffer With that experience their life become better not bitter.
B: You mean to say such experience is useful?

A: Yes. In every terms, Experience is a hard teacher. She gives the test first and the lessons afterwards.
B: But still, why should we go through such tests? Why cant we be free from problems?

A: Problems are Purposeful Roadblocks Offering Beneficial Lessons (to) Enhance Mental Strength. Inner strength comes from struggle and endurance, not when you are free from problems.
B: Frankly in the midst of so many problems, we don't know where we are heading..

A: If you look outside you will not know where you are heading. Look inside. Looking outside, you dream. Looking inside, you awaken. Eyes provide sight. Heart provides insight.
B: Sometimes not succeeding fast seems to hurt more than moving in the right direction. What should I do?

A: Success is a measure as decided by others. Satisfaction is a measure as decided by you. Knowing the road ahead is more satisfying than knowing you rode ahead. You work with the compass. Let others work with the clock.
B: In tough times, how do you stay motivated?

A: Always look at how far you have come rather than how far you have to go. Always count your blessing, not what you are missing.
B: What surprises you about people?

A: When they suffer they ask, "why me?". When they prosper, they never ask "Why me". Everyone wishes to have truth on their side, but few want to be on the side of the truth.
B: Sometimes I ask, who am I, why am I here. I cant get the answer.

A: Seek not to find who you are, but to determine who you want to be. Stop looking for a purpose as to why you are here. Create it. Life is not a process of discovery but a process of creation.
B: How can I get the best out of life?

A: Face your past without regret. Handle your present with confidence. Prepare for the future without fear.
B: One last question. Sometimes I feel my prayers are not answered.

A: There are no unanswered prayers. At times the answer is NO.
B: Thank you for this wonderful chat. I am so happy to start the New Year with a new sense of inspiration.

A: Well. Keep the faith and drop the fear. Don't believe your doubts and doubt your beliefs. Life is a mystery to solve not a problem to resolve. Trust me. Life is wonderful if you know how to live.

Article 3 / 4

The Bamboo

One day I decided to quit...I quit my job, my relationship, my spirituality.. I wanted to quit my life. I went to the woods to have one last talk with God.

"God", I said. "Can you give me one good reason not to quit?"

His answer surprised me...

"Look around", He said. "Do you see the fern and the bamboo?"

"Yes", I replied.

"When I planted the fern and the bamboo seeds, I took very good care of them. I gave them light. I gave them water. The fern quickly grew from the earth. Its brilliant green covered the floor. Yet nothing came from the bamboo seed. But I did not quit on the bamboo. In the second year the Fern grew more vibrant and plentiful. And again, nothing came from the bamboo seed. But I did not quit on
the bamboo." He said.

"In year three there was still nothing from the bamboo seed. But I would not quit. In year four, again, there was nothing from the bamboo seed. I would not quit." He said

"Then in the fifth year a tiny sprout emerged from the earth. Compared to the fern it was seemingly small and insignificant...But just 6 months later the bamboo rose to over 100 feet tall. It had spent the five years growing roots. Those roots made it strong and gave it what it needed to survive. I would not give any of my creations a challenge it could not handle." He said to me.

"Did you know, my child, that all this time you have been struggling, you have actually been growing roots?"

"I would not quit on the bamboo. I will never quit on you."

"Don't compare yourself to others." He said. "The bamboo had a different purpose than the fern. Yet they both make the forest beautiful."

"Your time will come", God said to me. "You will rise high"

"How high should I rise?" I asked.

"How high will the bamboo rise?" He asked in return.

"As high as it can?" I questioned

"Yes." He said, "Give me glory by rising as high as you can."

I left the forest and bring back this story. I hope these words can help you see that God will never give up on you. He will never give up on you.

Article 4 / 4

I asked God

I asked God to take away my pain.
God said, "No, It is not for me to take away, but for you to give it up".

I asked God to make my handicapped child whole.
God said, "No, her spirit was whole, her body was only temporary".

I asked God to grant me patience.
God said, "No, patience is a by-product of tribulations; it isn't granted, it is earned".

I asked God to give me happiness.
God said, "No, I give you blessings. Happiness is up to you".

I asked God to spare me pain.
God said, "No, suffering draws you apart from worldly cares and brings you closer to me".

I asked God to make my spirit grow.
God said, "No, you must grow on your own, but I will prune you to make you fruitful".

I asked for all things that I might enjoy life.
God said, "No, I will give you life so that you may enjoy all things".

I ask God to help me love others, as much as he loves me.
God said, "... Ahhhh, finally you have the idea".