Believe...or not

I had a meeting yesterday evening for the volunteer aspect of my zoo work. We went over relevant information, made some decisions as a group, and had a good time. Afterwards, we were heading out to the Veldt to see the new baby Wildebeest. My friend K came up to me, and mentioned that she would like to start going to church with us. She is Catholic also, but life has been getting in the way, and she hasn't been able to attend Mass. I was so excited!!

We chatted for a bit, then loaded up into the van. Once seated, my friend H turned to one of the other volunteers, and asked him about the "group" he was talking about in the meeting. This man, we'll call him D, (forgot his name) had talked a lot about how his group ran meetings, and all the community service they had done. Not the kind handed down by a judge, the out of the goodness of your heart service. Cleaning up the river, helping with marathons, etc.

Anyway, so H asks D what kind of group with which he is involved. The answer completely stopped me in my tracks; "Atheists of______town and _____state." Oh my! H handled it very well, probably better than I would have. He just said, "Oh", and went on about his business.

An atheist. Hmmm...so he doesn't believe in Jesus, or God, or any higher power. I just can't fathom living that way. How do you celebrate Christmas or Easter? Is it just Santa and the Easter bunny to you then? What about the birth of a baby? To see a new life enter the world totally proves the existence of God. What about when someone dies? Is that the end, is there no life beyond this world? What about a garden; watching a flower bloom, or a watermelon grow? How do my Portulaca flowers know to open in the morning, then close in the afternoon?

I could go on and on, but my point is, I find it impossible to deny the existence of God. My entire life, Jesus has been by my side, my best friend, my Lord and Savior. We've walked together, talked, He's held me while I cried, we've celebrated, and He's heard my frustration and grief. The Bible tells us how much Jesus loves us, and what He gave up for our salvation-He willingly went to the Cross in my place for the sins I've committed. Then He rose again from the grave to give me the promise of eternal life in Heaven. Not just me, but for anyone who believes.

"For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have everlasting life." John 3:16

As for going to see the baby Wildebeest; well...it didn't quite work out for us. My boss got the van out on the Veldt, and managed to get it stuck fast in the mud! LOL The group split up, and about half of us walked, the rest rode in a truck that came to get us. A memorable evening for sure!

God Bless,
Chela