Answers from Everywhere

Writes Albert Leo, “Einstein once said: “The Lord God is subtle, but never malicious.”  Probably most people have an unusual experience that could be just coincidence but also could be a gentle hint from a loving, personal God, a God that Einstein was too humble to believe in.  I had an experience that convinced me that God has a sense of humor as well as a caring nature.”  

Returning to Boston from a Gordon Conference held in Tipton New Hampshire, Albert and his  colleague, Prof. Eric Lien, were fortunate to be the first to get on the bus, and they chose the right hand front seat with the best view.  Two other colleagues from Germany sat across the aisle.  At first Eric and Albert discussed the technical papers given at the conference, but then Eric asked Albert if Albert would give him some personal advice.  He began by saying, “I saw you reading ‘God and the New Physics’ during the breaks in the conference, Al.  Are you a religious person?”

“I try to be,” Albert said.  Eric then proceeded to briefly summarize his life, and what had  led to his present problem.  He was born and raised in Taiwan by parents who practiced a form of Confucianism that he respected but was not drawn to.  When some Christian missionaries located in their area, Eric’s parents allowed him to attend their classes, but after hearing that ‘only those professing Jesus Christ would be saved’ he decided that Christianity had no appeal for him either, believing that his parents were too good to be damned for all eternity.  Later he emigrated to the U.S. to complete his education and there met Linda, a practicing Christian, and they were married.  Eric had no objections to Linda and their children practicing Christianity, but he thought it would be hypocritical for him to do so.  But as their kids began to ask why Dad did not attend church services with them, Linda began to hint that Eric accompany them.  It was putting a little pressure on their marriage, but Eric remembered the missionaries’ narrow teaching and felt he had to refuse Linda as a matter of principle.

When he finished this brief ‘biography’, Eric turned to Albert and asked:  “Al, what do you think is the answer to my problem?”   

Albert had anticipated this question while Eric was speaking, but now he was at a loss how to answer it honestly. Meanwhile traffic had slowed on the approach to a bridge leading into the city, and just before the bus came to a complete halt, and before Albert could answer Eric, a white panel truck pulled directly in front, clearly visible through the large windshield.  The only message on the truck was written in large blue script:  “Don’t worry; Be happy; God loves you.” 

“We both looked at it for a few seconds,” Albert says.  “Then I turned to Eric and said:  “That answers you better than I ever could.”  Across the aisle, our two German colleagues who undoubtedly had been listening to our conversation burst out laughing.  Prof. Kubinyi slapped his knee and said:  “Al, how did you manage to do that?”  But I had nothing to do with it.  God decided to use a little humor to teach four scientists a simple lesson.”

Signs and wonders---they can be very small.  And yet even the most minor event can have heavenly meaning if we’re open to it.