Nancy O. to Heavenletters:

It is more difficult asking questions of God than I thought. I think so many times that I shouldn't ask this, it's too little for Him, or the answer is too obvious — just love everybody without judgment, etc!

Pride is a perfect topic during the Olympics, which I love to watch. I cried with the Canadian runner who won the triathelon. He said he just wanted to hear the Canadian national anthem played. Pride in country is a very strong motivation. But I think it is different from the pride God talked about as the opposite judgment of shame. What do you think?

God to Nancy O.:

Certainly this is a different pride because it embraces rather than separates. Everyone felt the Canadian runner's joy and love for his country. Yet his pride was for more than his country. I will say that his pride was for Me.

He was not putting down any other country. He was not sneering at other countries. He was saying life is wonderful, and that he is part of it. He was proclaiming love.

Anything that is true is not pride. If he spoke words without the feeling, that would have been false. He did not bolster himself with his overwhelming joy.

Yes, it is quite different to feel proud that you never had to ask anyone for help than it is to give others a sense of pride in human life.

The runner's pride was not at the expense of anyone else. He ran the fastest. He won a medal. A medal is after all only a medal. He won the day! And he had such positive attention on him and he reflected that positivity. Positivity is not false pride.

You knew that, but not the words.

The word pride has different meanings.

Maybe the Canadian runner did not run for himself. Certainly he was running for more than himself. He was running for humanity. He rose above himself. Had he run for himself alone, joy would have been little. If he had been afraid to run or afraid to lose or afraid to appear foolish, his joy would have been less. He ran his body in a race, and his body came in first. He understands what happened. He does not consider himself great because of this. He knows I am great.

Now, it is the same for asking questions. They are not for yourself alone. Your questions are real and personal, but you know they are a gift you give for others who share your common humanity and who also want My guidance and love in life. You share Me with others. Your questions don't have to be MAGNIFICENT or FANTASTIC. They only have to be questions.

Questions need to be asked again and again. And the answers need to be heard again and again.

A composer composes music.

My children ask questions.

It is the same.

You hold up a piece of life like a seashell in your hand, and you ask, Will You please tell me about this? And you pick up another seashell, and you ask the same again. You do not have to pick up only the grandest seashell of all to ask about. Any seashell will do. Any question comes from life, and you give life to it.

A question is formed.

Or it appears as if on its own accord.

No matter, it is a question, and questions are to be asked.

A question is an impulse of creation.

It is no small thing to ask a question of God.

And yet it is.

Many times the question that is worded is not the real question. That is all right too. You are asking your question as best you can.

Maybe the real question is: God, are You real?

Or: God, do You really love me?

Or: God, is there really Oneness?

Or: God, does happiness really exist?

Or: God, is there really more to life than the drudgery of it?

Or: God, how can I find You?

Or: God, help me to learn to love.

Or: God, why am I here on earth?

Or: God, when will my heart beat only You always?

Or: God, I will ask a question to come closer to you. I may just be making conversation. I just want to be with You. I want to gain Your attention. I want to sit next to You. I want to hold Your hand.

Whatever excuse you use to come close to Me, I am glad.

* * *

Diane to God:

Dear God, what a beautiful prayer in November 10's Heaven! Our last Finding God workshop is this week and I will share this prayer there.

Abby to Lauren and Heavenreaders:

Wow! Lauren's question and God's answer in November 6's Heavenletter were simply wonderful to hear! I know I've had similar questions about men, and it's always uplifting for me to hear God's answer.

Love you all!