Miles Through Time

I didn't agree to go out again for the sake of enjoying each other's company. Obviously, He knew what type of food, atmosphere and conversation I would like; I was not in any position to question that, but I did have questions and that's why I'm here again. Being, for lack of a better word, teleported everywhere during the first date was pretty spectacular. Spectacular and scary beyond belief. But I wanted this date...if you could call meeting your creator a date...to be normalized. I knew I did not have to request this but He let me choose the setting this time and I found that very chivalrous of Him.

Why the diner down the block from my house and not same fancy, expensive eatery you ask? Well, I've never tried the stuff and for some reason, I just didn't want to feel like I was taking advantage of The Almighty. I know, I know, "all riches belong to Him", etc., etc. In hindsight, I know I could have chosen a better place but this diner was special to me. It was where my dad and I went. It was where I had a date that I was fond of. It was a good place--no bad memories and I hoped to continue this stride with HIM.

I've never been good at dates and get-to-know-you type of conversations but He made our first date easy and welcoming. He let me arrange the date's atmosphere this time and I just knew He would let me also choose the topic of conversation. I felt so silly preparing for this but I did it anyway. I narrowed down my countless questions down to three. He already proved to me that He was there in the beginning, that He knows and sees all and that He sent His son to die for the sins of all man. I saw glimpses of evidence and even (somewhat) understood the purpose of needing sins to be 'forgiven/paid for'. The three questions I had today were a bit specific, somewhat personal and probably not 'second-date' friendly but now that I knew He was all I had heard He was from my pastor, I didn't want to just be in awe. I hoped that didn't make Him think less of me, although I'm sure I'm not one of His proudest creations.

He was not late and I would not describe Him as being early either. He was just on-time. It was weird and made me question the abstract notion of time itself but I was eager to jump into my first question. I opened my mouth to speak but then hesitated, feeling like maybe I should let Him settle into the booth. Being that we were not in some celestial, boundless place this time, I wondered if the glow I saw surrounding Him would make bystanders gawk or appear mystified but they seemed to be ignorant to the fact that He was God. I eyed my surroundings and then heard Him chuckle, as if He knew why I appeared perplexed.

He whispered in my mind, "They do not know. For their eyes see but they do not see. Only you know who I am and that I AM."

You would think that after a whole night of this, I would have gotten use to His way of communicating. I thought it would be mightier and more vocalized but I have yet to hear His voice like I would hear a fellow human's. He spoke to me in whispers and those whispers were always just for me.

"Oh,..okay. That's kind of cool," I replied lamely.

"So what's good to eat here?" He asked, humoring my desire to be on "my level" for this date.

"Don't you already know?" I mused. He beamed with delight at my attempt at humor, a sure sign of my comfort.

"Well then let us have two of them," He uttered as the waiter, who had yet to introduce themselves or ask for our order, set down two plates before us. The double-burger deluxe was always my favorite thing to order here and it was never ready for me before I even had any of the bread.

"Hey Nicole, you order ahead for two of the usual, right? Good call, just had a delivery today. I had one earlier; the meat has never been so fresh," stated Mario the waiter as he skipped away clueless about my current suitor.

"Thanks...God. That was pretty cool." He reached out for His burger and began to bite into it. It wasn't until that moment that I realized how strange it must be for Him to eat with...well me. To eat at all! Do eternal beings eat?

"Hey. So, do you actually eat food?" I inwardly kicked myself for stepping outside of the three-question plan I had laid out.

"You were made in my image, outwardly and inwardly. I eat of course. Yet I do not need this substance or any particular substance. I can be satisfied on praise alone. I do like chocolate though. One of my finest moments." To that, I had to stifle a giggle.

I knew it was now or never. It was time for the first question. I was anxious and switching my actions between twiddling my thumbs and nibbling on french fries. I finally looked up at God to see Him with a patience I was way too unfamiliar with. He knew I was yearning to ask. He probably even knew my question. But, he awaited for the moment where I'd have the courage to ask. I could only hope He wouldn't feel offended.

"Why did you take my dad away?" I finally blurted out after realizing He knew I was wanting to ask. "I mean I know you take dads away all the time, but I wasn't ready. Its been two years now and I'm still not ready...at least I don't feel ready. Everyone is so hard on me but He was always there for me and then you just took Him. I know I have you but until last week, I didn't even know your voice. And I miss his all the time."

"Everyone passes from this life to the next. The timing will always be uncertain to man. No one can ever really know. A gunman may think he is mere seconds from ending a life, but if it is not my will, it shall not be so. I can allow that bullet to do little to no damage. I can allow cancer to take a life, as it did your father's." God paused briefly and sent warmth through me, a warmth that made my whole being g acknowledge His love and then he continued, "None of what I allow is ever meant to hurt my children. It will never work against them. I know your father well and he knew me. I spent 13 hours talking to him the night he died. He did not want to leave. I did not want to hurt him by taking him away from the family he loved more than life itself. We walked many miles through time that night. I comforted him by showing what remains for your mother, your brother and for you. He cared most for you; you were his angel and we would not leave until we saw your life. After, he received more than enough comfort and gladly allowed me to take him."

He eyed me as if to check that I understood. Strangely, I did.

"It will not be your weakness any longer to miss him or think of him. It was always meant to be your strength. Next question, there are two more, yes?"

I nodded, inhaled a breath finally and continued eating. After a few moment passed and He ate along with me, I started the conversation again.

"Actually, I think I only have one more question. I was going to ask why you allowed me to be broken-hearted over this boy for the past nine years but I know the answer already now. So, I only want to ask one more thing.

"Okay," He whispered.

"What is the absolute funniest joke that's ever existed or going to exist?" I quickly asked and then added, "...that I will understand!"

He smiled warmly, affectionately and dare I say, proudly. Was this a test? Did most people continue asking "WHY" instead of trusting that He knows best and loves most fervently? I'm really not sure. But as I listen to the joke, grinning from ear to ear, I suddenly realize that I am eager for date three.