Universe vs. Belief

Interesting conversations between generations with whom you know come from a wealth of knowledge, are rare. It seems like the midrange to eldest, and sometimes the wisest, have a point to prove. Sometimes we exit the input, dismissing as if we do not really need to take any heart into what is being said. There are some however, that require attention. While at a gathering I had to put my alphabet skills to work, ten years forward/two years back, work hard/play hard, etcetera, etcetera... yes, definitely Generation X here, by any means of measure.

"I don't believe in God." I mean, the first words out of the child's mouth. Cue mental pause with a intelligent response to this little demon running amuck strong believers.... "Ok". All I could muster. With a quick age check, she is too young to insult (like can be done unintendedly with adults when meeting new people in a social setting). No need to make a scene here, clearly just a phase.

Standing there, it was like the fire directly from hell was shooting out of her eyeballs into the depths of my soul. Time to take action. "You're Wrong.", gently. "No I'm not!", fiercly. "I can prove it."; "No you can't. Nobody knows". She just walked right into my wheelhouse...

"Do you believe in the Universe?"; "Yes", "Then how can God not exist?"; *Crickets. Explaining how science has proven the existence of god through our cognitive abilities along with the basic decision of good vs. evil seemed a little bit reaching at this point. We try to think quickly, right?

"Think of it this way.", the old standby, "Nothing exists until you see it with your own eyes. It is at that point you choose to be good or be evil. God influences you with that decision if you believe."

Instantly in disgust the ~8-10yr if guessing scurried into the crowd and I proceeded with my evening of new faces.

About an hour later, the demon re-appears heading toward me in a stiff stride. Do we take cover at this point? Does anyone have a cross, garlic, and some wooden stakes? "I believe in God now." she said with a huge smile. "I knew you would come around" I replied as I look past her scurrying away and get a mouthing "Thank You" from what appeared to be a mother who was happy that perhaps the phase has completed.

Moments come at the strangest of times, and maybe not at our convivence. What an interesting take out from 2025 going into 2026. It is how we act at certain moments that can mean all the difference...