What I Learned From An Atheist

A gentleman just sparked a conversation with me. He's an atheist, always interesting. He went on and on about how Christians act and all of our many character flaws. So IF God existed, he would at best have flawed PR or earthly representation. Can't disagree with that, but that's not why he's an atheist or believes that God does not exist. He says, "Young man, there is so much pain and hurt in this world that either he's one heartless bastard or he just isn't really there. Did you hear about that girl who just walked out of prison after slaughtering that innocent child? If God could stop her why didn't he? That child is dead." Then something hit me, at his feet in the isle there lay an infant in a carrier. The baby was occasionally blowing bubbles and attempting to pull her foot into her mouth. She seemed to be one of the happiest babies I have ever seen. I kind of smirked at the gentleman and said, "Yeah, there is a lot of pain in this world and because there's pain there's no God? I guess my question is when there's reason for happiness or good is happening can God exist there? I understand the tragedy of that child being killed, but you can't focus on that situation so much that you miss the blessing that's right at your feet. It's amazing that the presence of bad means an absence of God, but when we sit and think, is everything in the world bad or is that just the place we choose to focus? I can see the tragedy of Katrina or 9-11, but I can also see the good that was done in the recovery." I really began to really put this thing into focus a minute ago. Most of us are like spoiled children who have so much stuff that it's easier to focus on what we don't have and complain about that. His denial of God is because he's not the genie in a bottle who makes every day roses. Yet, many of us will deny the power of good because of trials that we may encounter. To deny the power of God or the goodness of God is to deny who He is. Is there much difference than the atheist? We have to be mindful of the blessings and not dwell on the problems. To focus on what you do not have will only make you ungrateful for what you do have. Is it truly fair to view God through the scope of what's wrong with the world (some of which is man made). That only diminishes the value of all that is good. My atheistic acquaintance and I exchanged emails and promised to keep in touch. There's a chance that he's reading this now. Regardless, I'm praying for him. I know God is going to do something powerful in his life. Can't wait to see what happens. Till then, we'll run on......see what the end gone be. Be blessed