A Conversation: Post for 11/11

While I was reading The Spirit of God Hovered Over the Waters, the essay by Steven Fettke, I kept imagining a disabled person talking to God when they got to heaven. How do some disabled people get saved? Do they understand what that even means or who God is? I don't know. The essay talked about a lot of things I have thought about often. It was well written and very insightful. But anyway, in this conversation God and this severely autistic boy are sitting under a tree together. They are sitting close, the boy is right next to God and God has his arm around the boy's shoulders. Because he is in heaven, the boy no longer has autism. Let's say his name was Jamie, he was probably about seven or eight. He had been unable to speak, but had a talent in art. My answers God gives are just guesses. I could never know what He thinks, but contemplating what His responses might have been took this essay and this subject to a new level. And this is only a minuscule portion of what this eternal conversation could be like.

Jamie: You're God, aren't You?
God: Yes, Jamie, I am.
Jamie: You know my name? That's cool. But, why?
God: I love you, that's why. I love you for all that you are and all that you were.
Jamie: Really? You do? But, why? Not many people did. My family did, but that was just about it. Others were nice to me. But, most people didn't like to look at me. Why did they do that?
God: I love you because I made you. People acted like that because you were different from them in a more obvious way. No two people are the same, Jamie, but some differences are easier to see.
Jamie: Oh, okay. But, if you knew people would do that then why did you make me the way I was?
God: Do you know how people had to help you with things?
Jamie: Uh-huh.
God: Well, you were helping others with something else.
Jamie: What is that, God?
God: You helped them open their minds. They learned to accept and love someone different from them.
Jamie: Did some of them really? I did that? Well, I didn't notice much.
God: You did, I promise.
Jamie: You know something, God? I heard people talk about You before. Sometimes they made sense. Sometimes they didn't. The ones that didn't talked about weird things. About demons. Some of them said I had it. Is it like a birthmark? Or a present?
God: No Jamie, it isn't. They aren't nice. They work for the devil. Sometimes they talk to people and get them to do bad things. Sometimes they live inside people.
Jamie: Well, they don't sound good. Did I have one?
God: No, you didn't.
Jamie: Then why did they think I had one?
God: Because you were different. People are sometimes scared of what is different.
Jamie: Well, that doesn't seem right.
God: No it isn't, but that is what happens when people have freedom to do what they wish.
Jamie: Well then, why did You let them be free? You know, if they were gonna do stuff like that?
God: I didn't want them to love me because I made them. I wanted them to love me and follow me because they wanted to. So I let them have free will.
Jamie: Oh, I get it. Well, God, I love You. I don't see why anyone wouldn't. 
God: Thank you Jamie. You don't know how much that means to me. I love you, too.
Jamie: Thank you, God.
God: For what?
Jamie: For making me the way I was. You told me I helped people. I like that. It makes it worth it. You know what else I liked? Being able to draw and paint real good. People liked my pictures.
God: I gave you that gift for a reason. I loved watching you draw and paint. It is a wonderful way to express yourself.
Jamie: Thanks. You know, God, when I got sick I was real worried. So was everyone else. But, I am happy here. I like being with You. I just wish Mommy could know I was doing real good. She was so sad.
God: She may be sad, but she knows you like it here. I am comforting her and making sure she knows.
Jamie: Thanks, God. I'm so glad.