My Conversation with an Atheist

Posted on by beautybeyondbones

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OK – onto tonight’s post!

I don’t know what I’ve done to deserve it, but it just seems like lately, God is having a field day, plopping me down into really fascinating situations.

Maybe it’s because I’m getting more bold in “stepping out” for Him, but for whatever reason, it’s like every day presents a new and interesting opportunity that could have only been orchestrated by God.

Like, for example, the 40-minute conversation I had with an atheist over the weekend.

Allow me to set the stage: I was – surprise surprise – praying outside of Planned Parenthood. And let’s just say, I don’t really blend in. Namely because, I’m wearing my signature sun hat. Because…I’m anal about my skin. Doesn’t matter – rain or shine, I’m wearing this UPF 50+ sunhat. Haha — it’s not as hideous as it sounds. It’s actually *the most* chic — Audrey Hepburn esq, if you will.

But suffice it to say — it prohibits me from simply, “blending in.”

But anyway — this young guy…around my age…he approaches me and says, “Hey, I’ve seen you here before. I live on this street. What are you doing here?”

And, frankly – I was impressed at the gonads this guy must have had to try and “pick up” a girl when she is literally holding a rosary and praying outside an abortion clinic in the rain. So I put on a pleasant smile, and engaged in conversation, all the while thinking — Alright, batter up. What in the world am I going to say. Sink or swim, it’s go time.

So, I explained to him that I was there praying for the end of abortion.

And with that, began one of the most profound conversations I’ve ever had in my life.

I was able to share with him about how the anorexia in my past taught me that value and worth of a human life, which he found particularly intriguing. He wanted to know what I was hoping my presence there on the sidewalk would accomplish. And then we talked about faith.

And this is where the conversation really got interesting.

He mentioned to me how he was an atheist, and that he’s really been searching for truth. He’s been going through all these different spiritualities and religions, looking for purpose.

Then he looked me dead in the eyes and asked, “Do you ever feel like you’re made for more?”

And, taken aback by the beauty of his spirit shining through, I just smiled and said, “Absolutely.”

And pressing, he followed up, “I mean, really, what is the meaning of life? Why are we here?”

Now, let’s pause for a moment. I have never had an interaction like this before, nor was I prepared to have an existential conversation of this magnitude on the corner of a busy New York street, in the rain, in front of a Planned Parenthood.

So, I did the best I could…but I’m afraid I wasn’t as bold or as eloquent as I would have liked.

But I said, “Well, I think the meaning of life is to love. To love people where they’re at…not to judge, or condemn…but just to love. Like Jesus did. And be a light to the world.”

We continued to talk for another twenty minutes or so, and I don’t know – I just really felt like this guy was surprised to hear what I was saying, given the situation, and what I assume were his preconceived notions coming into the conversation.

I think he was expecting me to say how I was critical and judgmental of the women who walked in or out of that door. So when he heard me say that I just wanted to love and support them, I could practically see his opinion of “prolifers” change.

But coming home that night, his question haunted me: “What is the meaning of life?” I kept kicking myself, feeling that I really struck out when this big, beautiful “home run” opportunity was literally tee’d up right in front of me.

That night, falling asleep, I was listening to a Christian podcast. Being that we’re embarking on Holy Week, I was wanting to prepare my heart with some extra reflections on God.

“I thirst.”

Photo: The Passion of the Christ

I thirst – one of the last things Jesus says on the Cross. Yes – it was a fulfillment of Scripture in Psalm 69. But it also calls to mind another time that Jesus was thirsty…John 4:7 — When He asks the Samaritan woman at the well for a drink – “Will you give me a drink?“

Jesus thirsts for us.

For me. For you. For our hearts.

Jesus, on the Cross – literally pouring himself out in love for us, is thirsting for our response to Him and for our love for Him in return.

And that’s when it hit me…

That is the meaning of life: our response to His thirst.

Our Savior, thirsts for our love. So how then, are we going to respond.

How can I live my life in response to His thirst for my heart.

There it is.

I closed my eyes, and imagined the beautiful and blood stained face of our Lord, on Calgary, looking into my eyes saying, “Caralyn, I thirst for you.“

Photo: The Passion of the Christ

And that, friends, broke me.

How can I live my life in response to that? That is my purpose. That is the “more” that we all feel we have been made for. Our meaning on this earth.

I hope I run into that guy again, so I can talk to him more about this. And you know what? Something tells me I will…

“This is what the Lord says to these bones: I will make breath enter you, and you will come to life.” Ez 37:5

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279 thoughts on “My Conversation with an Atheist”

  1. Hello! 😊
    This came right on time for me. I was having a bit of a crappy day and knew it was spiritual attack but it was still getting me. This has reminded me to keep the main thing the main thing. Your revelation on God thirsting for us stirred something deep inside me. You didn’t fail. God uses everything we do. Our mustard seed faith is enough to move mountains, be encouraged! Thank you so much! 😊💛

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    1. Hi Yvonne! Thank you so much for sharing your heart. I’m so glad this hit home with you. Amen – God uses everything we do! Praise God! Big hugs to you xox

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  2. Hmm wow! 😥 That was a very deep conversation. To see that so many are thirsting for the truth. We have the TRUTH living in us and it’s even more heart-wretching when we don’t tell others about Him as we all should so much more. We all should thirst after him and for him more & more each day as he thirsts for our hearts! What a deep & convicting message. Blessings & God’s strength be with you! You will meet him again and he will be saved in Jesus name! ❤

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    1. Thank you so much Tammy 🙂 amen to that! Jesus is the way, the TRUTH and the life! Amen amen amen. Thanks so much for your kind words! God is good! Hugs and love xox

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  4. My dear friend,

    My love started in a Christian family, so as a child I was praying every night before falling asleep. Then when I got older (still in my youth) I got very much interested in philosophy and read many books – I was searching for the truth. During this time I felt uncomfortable with my faith as I did not like that blackmailing: if you do this or that you go to hell… I could also not agree to violence done by Christians – so I became an atheist and philosopher. However, this was not the right salt in the soup, it could not satisfy me on my way and searching for the truth – slowly, slowly I reentered the path of a God-believer, but this time not just for one religion, not just for certain people or nations – this time for all people, for the whole mankind as I found that we are all children of God. The problem is that we make differences in love, but when we really love, how can we exclude people from our love? The inside light from which our Holy Bible speaks can be really experienced as the competent Masters, sent as messengers by God in different times and religions, have given us in writing this inner experience in their Holy Scriptures, to get in touch with this Light and inner Sound. Then it is necessary to get to know ourselves – well, most of us think that we already know ourselves, but unfortunately, that is not the case, to know ourselves means also to beware of our own thoughts, words, and deeds and its reactions and consequences – this is a process of becoming more and more conscious, but often blindly we do things and allow thoughts, even to be negative without knowing, when a stone was thrown into the water, how many ripples it will have as an effect. Our holy wise men tell: “Man know thyself…” and this is exactly the meaning of spirituality: where do we come from, what is our purpose of life, where we have to go – when we really surrender to God unconditionally, without any ifs and buts, with no secret backdoor open, then we develop also more devotion and receptivity to God, more love for God. In the Bible we have: become as innocent as children to enter the kingdom of God… When we follow the commandments of all competent Masters, including Jesus Christ, Kabir, Maulana Rumi, Shamez e Tabriz, Baba Jaimal Singh, Baba Sawan Singh, Guru Nanak, Sant Kirpal Singh and many more really Holy Men, we will have the same experiences as them. Matthew 6:22: “If thine eye be single, thy body will be full of light?” – Christ means to see the inner light and therefore we have to become very pure in our mind and this presupposes that we have to know the functioning of our mind, to know ourselves. This single eye has many names in different religions: “shiv netra, divya chakshu, tisra til, Brahmrendra, triambka, trilochana nukta-i-sweda, koh-i-toor, third eye, single eye, figuratively called the still point, the mount of transfiguration, etc” – the candlelight we find as symbols in our church, there are the reflection and reminder of this inner light – likewise we have the Inner Sound, in our Church known as the bell – different types of music, also called the music of the spheres, can be heard inside as well – also this bell-ringing is a symbol for our Inner Sound.

    My Master, when He was in America during His world-tour, I was asked in a TV-interview to give a few words for the ancient universal teaching. He answered: “Do good, be good and be one” – the last one indicates that we are all one, one family, one creation of one God for all and everything (only we hide behind names, but the One is formless and Nameless…) – we all are a drop of this Divine Ocean of love and All-Consciousness. Our purpose of life: to go back to our real Home, to the Father’s Home. For this we have to look deeply into ourselves and bring a huge change into ourselves, to become innocent children again…

    All the best my friend and a journey on your path
    Hugs and love
    Didi

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    2. Hi Didi, thank you so much for sharing your heart and your faith journey. The search for truth is something that we all, eventually, find ourselves contemplating, because we all are children of God, and like you mentioned – are on the quest back Home to our Heavenly Father – so that yearning for truth lies inside each and every one of us. Hugs and love xox

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      1. Indeed, dear friend and as we all have different backgrounds and developments, nevertheless, sooner or later we will be back in our Father’s lap – all is a matter of a time factor. And when we live up to this inner yearning, we will be a blooming flower in the garden of God…
        Thanks you, my dear friend 🙂
        All what is good for you.
        Didi

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  5. Good for you.

    I’m not good at having those conversations, and I think it comes down to being afraid of rejection. I can have conversations about Jesus that aren’t face to face just fine, like writing in my blog about Christianity and such. And I can have those conversations when they are more detached. A few days ago, I was at a big annual event at the university I went to (the one I posted all the pictures of on Instagram), and there was one table handing out flyers about some of the research going on at the school, and they asked people “what’s your big idea to change the world?” and had us write our responses on a big wall-type place. I wrote that my big idea was for everyone to know the love of Jesus. But I wasn’t able to tell the person at the booth why I felt that way or what it meant or anything like that. 😦

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    1. Thank you friend for this wonderful note. To change the world – wow what a question. I love your answer! hugs xox

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  6. I’m glad you were able to show the guy love and tell him how important love is. I think that’s what people really need to hear. I think indirectly everyday, people are searching for love, but don’t know how or don’t even know they are looking for it. Rather people (in my opinion) ACT on that need. After all, God DID say its not good for man to be alone. This is why in our everyday lives we are ambassadors of God and it’s important to live by that. No matter what religion one belongs to or if they don’t believe in any of them at all, a person can tell if they live by what they preach and from the looks of it because of how honest you were about your life, he was able to open his heart to God. So good job on the representation!😉

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  7. Wow! “I thirst.” Just WOW! I never thought of it like that. That is profound. Thank you.

    Usually we think of the Living Water as quenching our thirst. But yes, duh, He does thirst for us. God must also thirst for us. And our love quenches His thirst.

    Wow.

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    1. Oh gosh, thank you so much! Yes! He poured everything out on the cross, and we need to respond! 🙂 big hugs xox

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  8. I love it! Our Father is simply amazing in the way He can use us to reach the most unlikely people in the most unlikely situations. You may feel you could have done better – but you spoke up honestly and that was enough!

    And I love your reflection about God’s thirst for us!

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  10. Kai! Caralyn, I just really love you more right now. This post literally brought tears to my eyes. Thank you so much for being authentically you and for encouraging folks like me to stand up for Jesus.

    Btw, ‘Kai’ is a Nigerian expression which is kind of equivalent to saying ‘wow’….lol!

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    1. Oh my goodness, thank you so much! I am humbled by such generous words. I’m so glad it resonated with you 🙂 And what a cool word! will def be adding it to my vocubulary! big hugs xox

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  11. This post is beyond beautiful.

    The greatest commandment is to love God with 100% of our mind and heart and everything. I have always thought that is what God wants most and when we do this, we understand who we truly are and what are purpose on this planet is.

    Clearly God sent this man into your life. Maybe he was an angel.

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    1. Hi DI – oh wow, thank you so much for such a beautiful reflection. Amen to that – with 100%! hugs xo

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  13. I’m an atheist, so found this an interesting read. There seems to be confusion in the religious community about it, like we’re dribbling lunatics who hate humanity. My stance is to live as morally sound a life as possible and be magnanimous towards others, which comes naturally to me.

    But some of the questions he asked were intriguing, as many atheists will turn to science journals, physics, or philosophy for answers. But that’s a wonderful response you gave him.

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    1. Hi Mr. Wapoljif! Thank you so much for sharing your perspective on this! I agree – there sadly is a misunderstanding, and it makes me sad. Because everyone is on their own journey, trying to find the truth. And we are called to love everyone! We also had great conversation about science as well. And also about the legacy that we leave on this earth, and how we treat people. it was a beautiful conversation. Thanks for sharing your heart 🙂 big hugs oxox

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    1. Oh wow – I can’t wait to check it out! i’ve never heard of her letter but wow I’m excited to read it! big hugs xo

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      1. Yes! This prayer spoke to my heart so much the first time I read it! And reading your blog made me instantly think of it. God bless!

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    2. I was reminded of the same after reading this post! I remember reading Mother Teresa was inspired to start the Missionaries of Charity because Jesus told her of His thirst for love and souls. That was the basis of her spirituality. I think I remember reading that “I Thirst” is on the walls where the Missionaries work/live… Remember Jesus told His disciples not to worry about what to say; the Holy Spirit provides the words! I always pray to St. Gabriel (since he’s the messenger) and the Holy Spirit for guidance with conversation and writing. Have a blessed Holy Week +

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  16. Thanks for letting this happen. The power in your conversations are the questions, not the answers. You heard the seeking, “thirsting,” for answers that can only come from questions. The new insights come from asking.

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    1. Thank you so much Von, I really appreciate your encouraging words! You’re right – sometimes we have to ask those difficult questions! hugs xo

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  17. This is beautiful. I pray more and more that we, Christians, love regardless of circumstance. That we love in spite of and not because of.
    Thanks Caralyn.

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    1. Hi Anesii, gosh, thank you so much for your incredibly kind words. You’re so right – in spite of is a powerful way to love! hugs xo

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  18. As usual an interesting post. Also some interesting questions. The answer to all the young man’s questions are found in the Bible. Jesus own words enable each of us to understand that his life is more than an example – it is the price paid for our salvation.
    When we appreciate the price paid we need then to understand what motivated Jesus to pay that price. 1 John 4: 8 is often quoted and versres 9 and 10 explain much: “9 In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent his only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him.10 Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins.”
    Gods love prompted the sacrifice Jesus made to cover our sin.
    We need to ask what does that mean to each one of us. We all have different sins and we all live with our personal history, The Father sees beyond that – his love is greater than our hearts. If left to ourselves to judge many of us would have given up years ago.
    To find the meaning of life, understand what we need to do 1 John 4 is a great place to start.
    Public declaration of faith is part of our purpose so well done on that – as an evangelist I know that courage and faith prompt us to speak.
    Life is precious and 2 Peter 3:9 “The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.”
    Truth seekers need to keep searching

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    1. Hi Mark, thank you so much for this thoughtful response. Amen – life IS precious. It also calls to mind that we are to go and make disciples of all nations! big hugs xo

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      1. Disciple making is part of our Christian responsibility and we have to be where the people are, on the street, marketplace and at home. However, one of the great questions for Christians has to be why are there so many messages out there about Christ? This takes us back to Apollos and the Ethiopian Official – both needed to follow Jesus instructions – the Apostle Paul had to be taught. John 17: 3 And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent. This led to the Apostle Paul’s conclusion at Romans 10: 14 “How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher? 15 And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things!”

        When asked every Christian must respond that they teach the truth of Gods word publicly. To “know God” requires more than saying he exists, to know Jesus means we understand why he died.

        Have a great time

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  20. Hi there. You done good! God used your SPF50/sun hat look too. In the rain? Ok but you’re consistent. Persistent, steadfast. (My wife and I were recently discussing the difference between stubbornness and steadfastness – the difference is steadfastness is not about you. So .. at least in this area you are not stubborn but steadfast). I love it though, praying in front of Planned Parenthood. You were already a witness for Christ just doing that. And one thing led to another.

    So I think you planted a seed. It’s up to God to send others to water it; and he will. But you keep on; your faithfulness will bear fruit. And you’re a joy to everyone.

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    1. haha yes – i am not outside without my hat hahah But seriously, thank you for your encouraging words. I pray that God water it!! 🙂 big hugs to you xox

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  21. Yes, God will put us all in those positions when we open ourselves to His will. Well done, sharing your anorexia with him. I know it was still anonymous, but it was face-to-face. That’s a real positive!

    Your response that the meaning of life is to love was good! Your idea that it is in response to “I thirst” is also very good. Let me give you some scriptures that affirm your thoughts.

    Owe no one anything except to love one another, for he who loves another has fulfilled the law. Romans 13:8 NKJV

    Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God and keep His commandments, for this is man’s all. For God will bring every work into judgment, Including every secret thing, Whether good or evil. Ecclesiastes 12:13-14

    If you love Me, keep My commandments. John 14:15

    And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength.’ This is the first commandment. And the second, like it, is this: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than these.” Mark 12:30-31

    I know of a woman who came to Jesus through finding a Bible and reading it through the night. God’s Word is so much more powerful than just the words, because God’s Spirit is in them. This is what I tell myself and encourage us all to do: read your Bible. Know what it says and be able to tell others what it says. Imagine conversations with people – what they might object to, what curiosities they have about God and life, and know what you might answer.

    I honestly have a hard time remembering WHERE I read things like the quotes above and use biblegateway.com to search for where the thing is that I remember. Do you have a Bible app on your phone? You can carry your Bible with you that way and use your phone to SHOW someone God’s Word.

    Everything above is me writing to me as much as to you, so please don’t take anything as criticism. Just trying to help and support. I need to do these things too.

    My B3 bag came yesterday! Love it! My Bible class stuff will be in it the next time I teach! I wish I could get it autographed! But try this – you designed all of the stuff that goes on the merchandise, and they print what you send, right? Why not scan your signature – Caralyn – and have it printed on items? Call them your “Signature Collection.” Just a thought…

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    1. Thanks so much Jeff, for this thoughtful response. I now! It was crazy that I just opened up so easily about my past — that was for sure God’s hand. And thank for sharing those wonderful scriptures. I do have a bible app – that’s great advice – i need to have His word at the ready, because you’re right – it is laced with His spirit. ok…maybe “laced” wasn’t the right word there…sounds kind of negative haha but you get what i’m saying!!! 🙂 So thank you for that awesome adive – greatly appreciate. And oh my gosh so awesome!!! yay!!!! thank you again for your wonderful support. i hope it sparks some conversation!! Ooh, a signature collection! that sounds incredibly fancy and cool 🙂 hahah i may just have to figure out how to do that! 🙂 thanks for being such a great friend. Hope you and Julie have a great week! hugs to you both! xoxo

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      1. How about “infused” instead of “laced?” HA! I’ll be you could use a Sharpie to write a big signature on a piece of paper, scan it, and send it to your provider and they could apply it like they do the other artwork. If you don’t have a scanner, you could get it scanned onto a flash drive using a copier at a FedEx store (you’ll need to have the flash drive). Then email the scan to your provider. Who knows – might be worth the effort. Hugs & love XOXO

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      2. Hahah infused — THERE WE GO! Hahah And that’s a great idea – I’ll look into it 🙂 thanks again Jeff!

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  22. Wow, just wow. God works in mysteriously, wonderful ways yes? Not only did you have the opportunity to share the Truth with this young man who is obviously searching, but you were given an opportunity to grow in your own faith and understanding. And you know, I think that there was a great point made here…even though you wish you had the “perfect” words to share with him about the meaning of life, you shared what you had at the time, came home and were able to reflect and grow within yourself. So don’t beat yourself up about not sharing more, you may have the opportunity to share again 🙂 and realize that no matter what, you stood for God. God Bless, Caralyn!

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    1. Hi friend! thank you so much for this support! amen to that! God blessed me with that opportunity that day. I’m very grateful. And you’re right – I did the best I could, and now He equipped me to be more prepared in the future 🙂 I sure hope so! thanks for this wonderful encouragement. big hugs xox

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  23. Way to go putting yourself out there, Caralyn. You did great. Never underestimate how much you influenced this person. Sometimes, even words can be used. 🙂 But who you are is your best message.

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    1. Hey Mel! Thank you so much for your encouraging words. I pray that is the case! and Yes! i do love that truth – even words — God can use all things for His plans! 🙂 big hugs xox

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    1. Hi Mary Jo! Thank you so much 🙂 I agree! in a loving way! 🙂 hope you have a beautiful day! hugs xo

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  25. Wow!! This is so so deep. I was lost in those words “What is our response to his thirst? I hope my life would be a fitting response to that question. I pray so
    Thanks for sharing dear

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    1. Hi Chiqj! thank you so much for this heartfelt response. Yes! Answering that question certainly causes us to examine our hearts! Me too 🙂 have a beautiful day, friend!! 🙂 hugs xox

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    1. Oh my gosh, I am humbled by that. thank you, dear friend. God is good – and I pray His will be done! big hugs xox

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  27. So, so beautifully said, Caralyn! I think you are correct in that the meaning of life is to love, but not just love, to love like God loves, to share in his love for all humanity and the world. I firmly believe we are all called to use the talents God gave us to glorify Him and bring others to Him. You do that in a beautiful and profound way. So, yes, I do think you will see this young man again.

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    1. Hi Amy, oh gosh thank you so much! 🙂 Love like God loves — I love that — and so so true. Gosh, your response is so beautiful!! it energized me to be bold for Him!! 🙂 i hope so 🙂 big hugs xox

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  28. Hey! It was a delight to visit your blog! You’re an inspiration and may God continue to shine through you! I too have recently begun a blog. Would love to hear from you on it if time permits. No worries, either way. Keep going and God bless you👑

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    1. Hey friend! Oh my gosh thank you so much for this beautiful encouragement! Absolutely!! 🙂 congrats on your blog!! Hugs and love xox

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  29. Thank you so much for this post it is excellent. The subject talking to an atheist reminded me of a few talks I have heard over the years by a man who was an atheist and turned to Christ; they are on youtube if you are interested: his name is Lee Strobel and his talk and book are called “The Case For Christ”.

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  30. Do you believe in angels? It seems he gave to you the ultimate question to meditate on for a lifetime. A message of the Lord, formed in a question, seems to have been delivered personally to you. Do you think? Maybe. The Lord will answer that question for you as you meditate on it with Him present. 🙂

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    1. Interesting thought! I do believe in angels 🙂 I think that God is so magnificent and creative that there’s a lot we don’t understand. Hugs and love xox

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  32. Divine appointments will show up at times when and where we least expect them. And when God sets the appointment; place, time and person; God the Holy Spirit is also involved in preparing you, as well as giving you the words to say.
    Praising Jesus for you, Caralyn, for your faith, hearing the Holy Spirit, actually listening to Him as He speaks to you, and then being obedient.

    You are a living example of an exhortation in God’s Word:

    1 Peter 3:15
    15 But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect,

    You are having these Divine appointments because you are trusted by God. He knows you are there at PP for the sake of lives which He created in the womb, and you know the value of each life.
    Wherever you have a Divine appointment, it is not by your choosing, Almighty God has selected you, Caralyn, for that specific place and time, because you are a willing, obedient, daughter of the King of Kings, and you are there to give Honour and Glory to your Father.

    The reason that gentleman kept speaking with you, and opened his hungry heart, is because you were not pressuring him. You shared your heart with him, respectfully, listening to him also, with no agenda except your life’s agenda of serving our Saviour and Lord, Jesus Christ.

    My heart welled with tears again as I slowly read and thought of you standing there sharing with that fellow, and Holy Spirit taking the words He gave you, and planting them in that gentleman’s mind and spirit to contemplate.

    God Bless you Caralyn, as you are faithful to our Father. Praying His Wisdom within you, and His Protection over and around you always.

    Luv, 😀🌹❤️😘

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    1. You’re so right about that, George! Thank you so much for your generous words. Gosh i am so touched and humbled. Truly. Thank you. God is good and I just pray to be available for Him to use! I’m so glad this hit home with you, my dear friend. I pray that God water those potential seeds in that man and that he goes and sees Unplanned, too! Thank you for your prayers and friendship. Hugs and love xox

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  33. Caralyn, for me to comment would be counterproductive. You are living Life, giving of yourself unconditionally. There is only one thing I can do, and that is to hear your fears and offer you strength to continue. You are the strongest young lady I have ever encountered. You hold a special place in my Heart.

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    1. Gosh thank you for such a generous note of encouragement. I am truly moved and touched. Thank you dear friend. And you, mine! Hugs and love xox

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  34. There are always opportunities and some of them are fortuitous – such as your encounter with the seeker (he called himself an atheist).

    Its so great to read that you find the meaning of life is to love and that you feel this was Jesus’s message. And “What is the meaning of life?” “Why are we here?”

    When I was 4 years old I asked Jesus to protect me. I felt Him put his hand over my groin and his fingers over my heart (he had a really big hand). I didn’t know it then but He was protecting my heart from pain and suffering from having been sexually abused by my intoxicated father – this was discovered around the age of 42 from a flashback.

    A boss from my last job related her near death experience in a hospital at age 12: She described waiting in a long line in a train station. She stood before a committee of three and was asked two questions: “Did you love?” “Were you loved?”

    On Monday night February 5, 1990 before going to sleep I asked: “God what am I suppose to do with my life.” I didn’t expect an answer. I woke in the morning feeling groggy and I lingered in bed. a presence entered me and curled up inside my abdomen and a name came to me. Sounded crazy – but I called the person on the phone (to my surprise her name was listed in the phone book – she was locally well known. She answered and I described what had happened. she told me that she had been curled up into a ball and was thinking of killing herself. I did a verbal contract with her over the phone not to engage in suicide and set up a meeting. I spent three hours at her house listening to her story. Upon leaving (on a positive note) I offered her resources – a few therapists names and she said: “The universe put you out there to here my call and that’s all I needed.” We have been good friends since. This led to a path of surrender as a healer to help relieve suffering.

    Th short answer to the meaning of life and why are we here: “To love and be loved. To let the power of love flow through us from God or the Divine to help relieve suffering.”

    “When suffering is transmuted with higher awareness there’s a possibility of leaps in consciousness.”

    Thank-you for your inspiring and beautiful post.

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    1. Oh my gosh, Kai, thank you for sharing your story. My heart breaks to hear that the man who was supposed to protect you and be an image of our Heavenly Father to you, so grossly violated you and your innocent. I am just so sorry, Kai. I know it breaks God’s heart too because you are His precious child and have a dignity and worth that was violated in the most vile of ways. And wow what an encounter. God definitely used you to minister to that woman. I am so moved by your story. Thank you for sharing. Sending the biggest of hugs. Xox

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  35. My thoughts…that was an Angel sent for testing. You did a great job!
    I saw the movie this weekend and I was blown away at how much I never knew about abortion clinics. Powerful movie and testimony.
    Keep doing what you are doing Caralyn! You are an inspiration to me.

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    1. Hi friend! Oh gosh, that would be amazing. And yay! I’m so glad you saw the film! Take your friends! Haha I will be going back this week to see it again!! 🙂 Hugs and love xox

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      2. Oh good!! It is so incredibly powerful. I cried 6 times!! Like ugly cry/sobbing. Not a lick of mascara left afterwards!!!

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  36. So amazing! I am so proud of you for having the boldness. I actually spoke to a coworker at who today who is an atheist. I hope to have a conversation about my faith with him some day soon. I hope what I say can also be a reflection of Christ in me to my co-worker. Thank you for sharing and thank you for being bold!

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    1. Hi Sarah! Oh gosh thank you so much for your encouraging words! Way to plant those seeds!! Hugs and love xox

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  37. Some of us—for any number of reasons—just aren’t cut out for faith. I’ve been witnessed to many times by many varieties of Christian, Muslim and even Jew, and my answer is always the same.

    I cannot believe in your god. It isn’t that I don’t want to believe in your god, I actually can’t. I’m mentally incapable of it. It’s similar to watching a bad movie with plot twists that are so over the top you just can’t bring yourself to believe it. We have a phrase for this: Suspension of disbelief.

    I cannot suspend my disbelief for your god. It’s nothing personal, and I always appreciate it when someone takes the time to share their faith with me. It makes me feel special, but—unfortunately—it does not bring me any closer to believing in your god. There are no seeds to plants, no lingering self doubts to hone in on. Asking me to believe in your god is like asking me to believe you can spread your arms and fly.

    I know you can’t, you know you can’t, thank you for stopping by to check on me.

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    1. Thank you for sharing your thoughts. I respect that you believe differently than I. Interestingly enough — we both have faith: I have faith that God exists. And you have faith that He doesn’t. So we could, for argument’s sake, put the shoe on the other foot, and say…I cannot suspend disbelief in a world without God — how could I explain the causality of the universe? Or the irreducible complexity of the human body? Or the intricacy of DNA? Or — where does the innate sense of morality come from? Or, ontologically speaking, how can we even conceptualize the idea of God? These facts make the suspension of disbelief that god does not exist simply impossible. I appreciate you stopping by. hugs and love xox

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  38. Margaret Sanger, the darling of Liberals and planned parenthood movement, started her journey because she wanted to get rid of the weeds of society: the Blacks, Jews, Italians, aborigines, etc.

    And by God, she has succeeded in her grave beyond her widest dreams. These are the kinds of people you are dealing with!

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    1. The origins of planned parenthood are vile. Margaret Sanger in particular — I invite everyone to look up her personal beliefs about race. They are disgusting.

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      4. Wow that is just so sad. I hope you do. The truth needs to be out there! In nyc they’ve named the street that one of the PP’s is on “Margaret Sanger Way” 🙄

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      6. J actually mentioned some of these things about Sanger with the man I was talking to, and he responded by asking me how I knew my sources were true. And I said it is well documented, and from her own mouth. And he rebutted that we are trusting that the source was true, but who’s to say it is. Gahhh it was so frustrating.

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      7. Just quote her own word’s, articles and such. He trusts his sources but is not willing to research otherwise.

        He is all about ‘worldview and politics.’
        Your typical Liberal fool!

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  39. From reading about your conversation, I absolutely believe you did a wonderful job. Words are just words, people can feel the emotion behind them. Quite possibly it was the love that needed conveyed to him. Thinking about it, there were several people Jesus used to convey love that started their lives on a much different path. As long as you feel led to go and pray on that corner, go pray on that corner.

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    1. Thank you so much for your encouraging words 🙂 You’re right, people remember how you made them feel . big hugs to you xox

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  40. It is a terrifying thing talking to those who disagree with us. Your title makes it sounds like it was your first time talking to an atheist in person, though I hope it won’t be your last if that is so. We, as Christians, tend to congregate (the dual definition of the word as an ecclesiastical term and as a secular term hints at the same) into spiritual cliques, refusing to meet others where they are. I have heard church members who worshiped solely within their steepled walls lambasting the Amish for segregating themselves from the world; too often the Great Commission is ignored for comfort and safety. I would guess that fear is the cause from my own experiences. We fear the atheist being right and disproving what we have built our lives around.

    But if our faith cannot withstand talking to those of opposite beliefs, our faith is not real. That is, of course, barring the faith of new believers, a matter which I am quite certain does not apply to you.

    I will disagree, perhaps if only semantically, about your point about our purpose being our response to Jesus’ love for us. Don’t misunderstand me: to love God is very much part of our purpose, but that is only the beginning, and only partial at that. At a minimum, God makes it clear that we each have a different purpose as varying members of the Body (1 Cor. 12). That is regarding our spiritual purpose, and I am of the persuasion that we also have individual purpose(s) as well.

    Now, the question would be whether or not those are derived of God-born idiosyncrasies or personally chosen ones, or somewhere in between. E.g. I pursue writing as a career and purpose. As I tend towards Christian existentialism, I tend to view writing as both a God-born idiosyncrasy and as a chosen purpose insomuch as God has placed a desire to write within me and that I choose to act upon it. I don’t believe that all our purposes are chiseled in stone, and that part of the gift of Free Will is our ability to choose some of our purpose(s) in life. Writing is not, however, my spiritual purpose. It may coincide with it at times, — when I write about theology that is — but not at all times. Again, a decidedly Christian existential bent, but one that I would argue is harmonic with Scripture, and, indeed, derived of it.

    If you haven’t already, I’d recommend reading some Søren Kierkegaard. Kierkegaard is largely considered the founder of existentialism and was a theologian as well. Namely, you find the idea that we are born with God-made characteristics, but that there are parts of who we are that we are free to determine once we are born. Nature and nurture as Psychology would say.

    Anyway, I’m rambling now. Be well.

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    1. Thanks so much friend. It definitely wasn’t my first time talking to an atheist. I know many wonderful people and friends who are atheists – but I’ve never had to defend my faith with an atheist. That was my first experience with that. You bring up some really interesting points. Definitely going to be mulling over them this morning! And I’ll have to look up that writer! Hugs and love xox

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  42. I think you did a great job of shining your own light towards this man you met! I believe that you can literally see the light of a person that carries God’s love in their heart. I am sure you had him thinking about his lack of faith. I saw a man last week at IHOP and he was busing tables and he was literally lighting up the room. He was smiling and talking to everyone at every table with the kindest words. When he stopped by our table I said to him, “It is not hard to tell you certainly have the love of the Lord within you!” He of course talked about how he loved the Lord and wanted to come in and share his love with everyone. My guess is you were a beaming light in this man’s life and that you are in everyone elses that you touch. Shine on BeautyBeyoundBones!

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    1. Hi Friend, gosh thank you so much for your encouraging words! I am so touched by that. And wow what an awesome interaction with that man! And my goodness, thank you for such generous words. I pray that be the case! Big hugs to you xox

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  44. i love reading your encouraging example of faith, honesty, humility. Standing up for the Truth but, like Jesus, loving people where they are. And sharing your story. I’m still praying for my son’s victory over his demons. Like him mom, prayer and love, honesty and yet not judging – though I am struggling a bit in that area. I hope people will learn that life is precious. And options, like adoption, are just as available as abortion.

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    1. Hi Eric! Thank you so much for your encouraging words. I pray that people learn the preciousness of life too. Adoption is a beautiful thing! Hugs and love xox

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  45. Dear Caralyn
    I’m glad you had such an opportunity to witness for Jesus. Even more than your words, your life will have made a difference.
    You may never see that man again, but God has reached out and touched him through you. It was a blessed meeting for Holy Week.
    With love
    Penny

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    1. Hi Penny! Thank you so much. For these encouraging words. I do pray that is the case 🙂 Hugs and love xox

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    1. Hi Matthew! Oh my gosh I am so touched by this, thank you. I pray that be the case too! Hugs and love xox

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  47. Wow!!! Fantastic meeting and conversation! It really gives me goose bumps when I can see God so plainly orchestrating things like that. So now I’m definitely praying for you and he to meet again, and soon…I actually feel like this is a bit of a cliff hanger! You’ve seriously got to keep us posted if you do run into him again!

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    1. Thanks so much 🙂 it really was a beautiful interaction. Praise God for letting our paths cross. Haha yes! A cliff hanger for sure! I’ll keep you posted? Hugs and love and happy Easter!

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  48. What I must say, Sis’, was that whatever you have spoken to him, about how we should “love one another”, really resignated with him in longer ways than you might expect. You took a chance to speak to him, even in the rain, and you let him hear “your truth”, which ties into God’s Truth as well. “Love” is one of the biggest words to say because “God Is Love.”

    For that day, know that God sees everything you are doing for Him. Your common question thought of: “Why are we hear?” My answer: We are hear to do the Will of God and to remind the lost souls in this world of Him, and to remind them that God is always there for them, support them, and love them. My book (That P.U.S.H. I Needed) is one book I’m proud of because I wrote the words from my spirit for Him. Now, I do apologize if it seems as if I’m commenting on your post to promote a book, which I am not at all.

    I might’ve been one of those people on the streets seeking to go pass and ignore him, especially since it was raining on that day. The more we focus on God and do His Will, the more we are tested and we can easily spot our tests. Sis’, you’ve done your job for God and He saw your great deed. He sees all and knows all. 🙂

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    1. Thank you so much for this wonderful encouragement. And wow – congrats on your book! I’ll definitely check it out!! Hugs and love xox

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  50. I think what you told him was what needed to be said. You showed him a spark, perhaps he will come back to you, or perhaps somewhere else. The importance is that you showed him.

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