Reflections of ... LIFE!

                        "How do YOU know...?"

                   Reflections Of… LIFE!

                                                        by Alan P. Scaglione

I got an email from one of my dearest lifelong friends.

We have known each other since we were 11 or 12—and throughout our lives, we kept in touch—sometimes closer than other times.
But we still knew that our friendship would withstand the stretch that life sometimes throws at you.
Life sometimes gets in the way—things happen, life happens—some of it great…some of it, not so great—that’s life! Right?
In the email, they let me know that they read my column faithfully.
I have to tell you—there are weeks when I wonder “is anyone reading? Why do I even bother? Maybe I should just quit—NO one will notice!”
See? I can be insecure and neurotic too!
That’s why I always place a “Write Me” link—really, WRITE ME sometime! LOL!
In the email, they remind me of how we started out as friends, both of us in church, both of us accepting Christ around the same time.
But the email then goes on to ask the question…
“How do you know?”
How do you know what?
How do you know… there is a God?
They speak their heart—they speak about tragic times in their life, times when it would have been great for God to step in and prevent the tragedy.
But… He didn’t.
And they ask how is it that my columns speak of my undying faith and my commitment to Christ—through it all—no matter what—faithful!
And they just hang on the question—how do you know there is a God when…I’m not even sure He exists!
I felt their pain, I felt their anguish, I felt their struggle.
And it made me weep—did I mention that I was at work, on the phone with a customer, reading the email from my cell phone?
Oh the wonders of modern day technology!
Fortunately, I had a break coming up.
I took the time to respond.
I prayed that I could say something that would matter— I know that I owed them my honesty. I also knew—I owed that same honesty to HIM!
I said…
1^st – I have a heart that was healed by the Lord. I can prove that by a cardiologist who has two MRIs—one with my permanently damaged heart after a heart attack at age 49…and the other, after God healed me—of a heart that looks like it has never been damaged and never had a heart attack.
2^nd – I am a true blue American. I would defend our flag to anyone at any time. I sometimes do not agree with what our country does and I honestly don’t understand why we do what we do sometimes, but… I will defend it to my dying breath just because I love this country—even when I don’t understand and don’t agree—I still defend being an American.
3^rd – I am loved by a woman who sees the best in me, even when I cannot find it. She loves me in spite of my faults and despite my shortcomings. She deserves so much better than I can give her, but she still looks at me like I am the best thing that ever happened to her—when I know the truth—she deserves someone better than me.

I used these three examples to show—God touched my life in a real way—extending my days for a reason—His and His alone; I don’t always understand or agree with what the Lord does, but… I am true blue dedicated to the cause of Christ and to HIS will being done, first and foremost—because I believe in HIS vision and goals; and finally, like my wife, the Lord loves me with all of my faults and shortcomings and sees the best in me and never has forsaken me—I owe HIM my allegiance!

But I have to admit…
It made me wonder… and then this scripture I didn’t even know I remembered popped into my head--
 “But I know whom I have believed and am persuaded that HE is able… to keep that which I’ve committed, unto HIM against that day!” 2 Timothy 1:12
So…I have to ask and REALLY do want to know--

How do YOU know there is a God?

Brother “A”

Send me an email—just as simple as selecting the link—Share your Reflections with me!

Tell me how YOU know there is a God!