I had a question about God, so I thought I would ask my religious friend, Mary.

“Mary” is not her real name.  I thought I would use “Mary” because this name has some significance in Christianity.

Mary is a Christian.  Unlike a lot of my Christian friends, Mary never preaches at me or tries to convert me.  She believes that her life is her sermon, and she preaches by example.  I have never heard her say anything bad about people, whether or not they are Christians.  She tries to be like God and love unconditionally.

The other day I asked Mary, “Is God with me all the time?”

“Yes,” she said.

“So, there isn’t a time when God is not with me?”

“That’s correct.”

“But I don’t always feel that God is with me.”

“Gary, think of God as a bright light in a room.  If you are in this room and close your eyes, then you will think that you are standing in darkness.  God is light.  When you achieve a certain awareness, it is like opening your eyes and seeing the light.”

“So whether I am aware of it or not, God is with me all the time?”

“Yes.”

“Well, if God is with me all the time, then how come God never offers to pay when I order in or go out to a restaurant?”

Mary never said anything, but her smirk and her tilted head said, “Smartass.”  And then she spoke, “I think you know the answer to your question.”

And suddenly I did.  The answer miraculously popped in my head.  Was this proof that God is always with me and telling me things if I am willing to listen?

“I know!”  I said.  “God never offers to pay because He or She has no use for cash, and does not carry a credit card.”

“Sounds good to me,” said Mary as she shook her head.