Chapter 1: A Surreal Meeting

Am I truly awake, or is this merely a dream? I blink rapidly, rubbing my eyes to ensure they are functioning correctly.

The figure before me peers into my soul, blinks once, and with an angelic smile, declares, "You are not dreaming. I am present."

"Are you truly God? If so, does that mean I am dead? Am I in heaven?" I ponder aloud. "No, that can't be right. I wasn’t virtuous enough to be in heaven. So where am I, then?"

The angel steps closer, chuckling as if I jest. "You are not dead, but you will be. This is but a fleeting encounter. I have been observing you, listening to your grievances. I thought it time to address them all at once."

"I don't want to die!" I plead, fear lacing my voice, tears glistening in my eyes. "There’s so much I still want to achieve, places I long to see, and I haven’t even experienced true love yet. Please, grant me the chance to find my soulmate."

"You humans worry about what is beyond your control, something inevitable. Most importantly, you fail to listen. I never said you were dying today; I simply stated that you will. That’s not new information. Now, wipe those tears and smile."

"How can I smile knowing my time is limited?" I retort, demanding clarity as if I were the divine.

God chuckles again, regaining composure. "Your time has been ticking since your birth, and you’ve always known this, haven’t you?"

"Yes," I concede, though reluctantly. "But I didn’t expect it to come so soon."

"Sometimes, when I look upon my creation, I find amusement in human behavior," God reflects, "Even though it pains me deeply when you suffer, your innocence often brings me laughter."

"Do you think my mortality is a jest? I believed God to be compassionate," I respond, incredulous.

"That's another mystery of humanity. You tend to blame me for everything that goes awry in your lives, even those who deny my existence," God replies, his tone shifting to one of sternness.

"The truth of your mortality isn’t a joke. However, your attitude towards life can seem comedic. You lament not wanting to die, yet you’ve never truly embraced living. Why is that?"

"Yes, I’m addressing you directly. Why haven’t you started to enjoy your life? Why haven’t you pursued the dreams you promised yourself? Doesn’t that signal to me that you’re ready to leave this earth?"

I open my mouth to argue, but find no words. I realize I cannot demand my life back from God; I have not truly lived it. I try to meet God's gaze, but his eyes shine brighter than the stars, causing me to weep.

God places a hand on my shoulder, "Do not cry, my child. Your pain affects me deeply. I understand your reluctance to face death, but it is a reality. You are living on borrowed time."

"But God, I am so young! I have so many dreams to fulfill. I want to explore the world, create memories, and savor life. I didn’t even get to apologize to my mother for last night’s argument. I want to express my love to those dear to me. I wish to enjoy good food and write more. Please, grant me more time. I promise to live fully this time," I plead, my voice trembling like a prayer in an empty temple.

God withdraws his hand, indicating my request is unattainable. "Do you know the common thread among humanity? You all have countless desires yet fail to act on them. Why is that? You blame me for not providing the means to realize your dreams."

"I know I haven't granted everyone equal circumstances. Some have more, while others have less. Yet, I’ve equipped you all with the capacity to imagine great things and work towards them."

Anger rises within me at those words. "But you never equipped me with the resources to fulfill my dreams! I work harder than many, yet I lack the means to travel or connect with good friends. Do not place that blame on me!"

God responds with a calm smile, "You’re correct; you may lack the means to travel the world. However, you had ample opportunity to explore your own country, to discover the hidden gems within your city. Yet, you waited for the perfect moment and sufficient funds to begin."

He pauses, "You’re not alone in this. Many wait for perfection, believing they can only start when everything is just right. Sure, you may not have traveled the globe, but you could have ventured to nearby places."

"You claim to lack friends, yet did you ever step beyond your comfort zone to seek them out? Did you initiate conversations with those you believed could become friends? You expect people to appear in your life while you remain glued to your screen."

"Life is not a movie. If you desire something, you must strive for it. Yes, I hear your prayers, but I respond only when I see you taking action."

I know God speaks the truth, yet I can't shake the feeling that I haven’t had the opportunity to apply this wisdom.

Avoiding God's gaze, guilt washes over me. I realize I have squandered the blessings bestowed upon me. I have merely dreamed of change and accomplishments, while the true life I lived existed only in my mind or on social media. I wished for what others possessed while overlooking the richness of my own life. I could have made more memories with loved ones, expressed my gratitude to my parents, and written more instead of postponing everything for an imagined future.

"But God, you were supposed to warn me before taking my life in an instant," I whisper, my voice weak.

"Warnings are all around you. When you witness young lives being lost, does it never cross your mind that you could be next?"

Humans often take life for granted, and while it’s true that not every moment can be lived in fear of death, neglecting your soul, sacrificing your dreams, and failing to cherish the company of loved ones are signs that you are finished. You’ve lost your zest for life.

"Though you are young, you have not truly embraced your youth. You merely existed. Thus, you find yourself here," God steps back, leaving his words hanging like daggers in my heart.

"Please, grant me one more chance, God. Just one opportunity. Even if it's limited. Let me prove that I am ready to live," I implore.

Before I can lift my gaze again, God dissipates into thin air. Suddenly, I feel excruciating pain throughout my body. It’s as if every part of me is in agony. Perhaps this is what it feels like to die.

I blink again, my vision blurring, and I catch sight of my parents and brother sitting by my side. Perhaps this is my final farewell. Tears stream down my face.

"Hey, sweetie. How are you feeling? It’s painful, I know, but the doctors assure me you’ll be okay," my mother comforts.

"Where am I?" I ask, bewildered.

"You’re in the hospital, darling. You had an accident coming home from work. But there’s no need to worry; your injuries are minor, and you’ll recover within a month. You’ve been unconscious for 12 hours. The doctors warned us that if you didn’t wake up within 24 hours, you might slip into a coma, but here you are, my brave girl. You’re fine, and we can take you home tomorrow."

I struggle to process her words. I’m alive. I’m breathing. I have time. God has granted me time. I wasn't dead. I am alive! I can experience love, joy, adventure, and everything I’ve dreamt of. I have time, and I promise I won’t waste it, God. I whisper to myself.

I AM ALIVE, AND SO ARE YOU. YOU ARE ALIVE.

I hope you enjoyed this short story and took away some valuable lessons from it.

Chapter 2: Reflections on Life

The importance of living fully and seizing the moment cannot be overstated.

In this enlightening conversation, Neale Donald Walsch, alongside Koya Webb, discusses the profound spiritual insights one can gain from such encounters and the significance of embracing life.

Chapter 3: The Nature of Coincidence

Delving deeper into the connection between our lives and the divine.

In this engaging podcast, Neale Donald Walsch explores the thin line between coincidence and divine intervention, encouraging listeners to reflect on their own experiences.