A MATTER OF TRUST

Peg sighed with relief. At least he didn’t intend to stop seeing her, but was that a good thing? What had happened to her decision not to see Max anymore? Hadn’t she thought it was best to break off with him? God knew she didn’t want to; but she worried about how their differences would affect their relationship. Was she betraying God? No. God would never think she was betraying Him by asking for His help for Max. God knew what was in her heart, but would He think she was wrong? Was Max a lost cause? He helped her on with her coat and they left. He didn’t know what to say. Peg seemed to be enjoying the scenery as they drove, or maybe it was her way of keeping occupied so she didn’t have to talk. The silence got to him. “I’ve missed you, Peg.” That was a stupid thing to say. “I’ve missed you, too.” She sighed. “I know we have this difference of opinion between us, but I want you to know that I do believe there is a God.” He shook his head. “I just don’t think God wants to hear me. If He won’t give me the time of day, why should I--” He stopped abruptly, hitting the steering wheel with his hand. “That’s stupid. He betrayed me. Pure and simple.” He shrugged. “Maybe we shouldn’t talk about this right now. Let’s table it and enjoy the evening.” “Someday, Max, something will happen and you’ll know that God really is on your side. He just has a bigger picture in mind. We can’t all have what we want, and God isn’t responsible for some of our stupid mistakes. He gave us brains. He expects us to use them and He lets us use them. He doesn’t control our thinking.” Max took a deep breath. That was a lot to absorb and he wondered if he could, but he didn’t want to think about it right now. Maybe having this talk wasn’t a good thing. He was with Peg and he wanted to enjoy her company, not her preaching. Before they knew it, they were parked at the restaurant. Peg sighed with relief. At least he didn’t intend to stop seeing her, but was that a good thing? What had happened to her decision not to see Max anymore? Hadn’t she thought it was best to break up with him? God knew she didn’t want to; but she worried about how their differences would affect their relationship. Was she betraying God? No. God would never think she was betraying Him by asking for His help for Max. God knew what was in her heart, but would He think she was wrong? Was Max a lost cause? He helped her on with her coat and they left. He didn’t know what to say. Peg seemed to be enjoying the scenery as they drove, or maybe it was her way of keeping occupied so she didn’t have to talk. The silence got to him. “I’ve missed you, Peg.” That was a stupid thing to say. “I’ve missed you, too.” She sighed. “I know we have this difference of opinion between us, but I want you to know that I do believe there is a God.” He shook his head. “I just don’t think God wants to hear me. If He won’t give me the time of day, why should I--” He stopped abruptly, hitting the steering wheel with his hand. “That’s stupid. He betrayed me. Pure and simple.” He shrugged. “Maybe we shouldn’t talk about this right now. Let’s table it and enjoy the evening.” “Someday, Max, something will happen and you’ll know that God really is on your side. He just has a bigger picture in mind. We can’t all have what we want, and God isn’t responsible for some of our stupid mistakes. He gave us brains. He expects us to use them and He lets us use them. He doesn’t control our thinking.” Max took a deep breath. That was a lot to absorb and he wondered if he could, but he didn’t want to think about it right now. Maybe having this talk wasn’t a good thing. He was with Peg and he wanted to enjoy her company, not her preaching. Before they knew it, they were parked at the restaurant. They kept the conversation light. Max knew that they thoroughly enjoyed being with each other. The circumstances didn’t matter. Their difference of opinion didn’t even seem to matter most of the time. So what was he going to do about it? It was too soon to declare himself, but it wasn’t as if they hadn’t known each other for many years. Well, technically, they hadn’t been in touch, and granted, people change, but not that much. A leopard doesn’t change its spots. Peg was a wonderful girl in college and she was a wonderful woman now. Maybe that’s what scared him. Maybe she doesn’t find me so wonderful anymore. Maybe she doesn’t want to be with anyone who doesn’t believe in God, whose faith isn’t as strong as hers. He looked over to find her watching him.