Jenna and Leigh are at Joe’s Coffee catching up.

“So, how are things with and Scott?” Leigh asks.

“We are doing good. Last year, it was a horrible year. I think if it weren’t for Jesus, our marriage wouldn’t have made it.”

“Jesus?” What does religion have anything to do with whether your marriages make it or not?” Leigh asks. “We put the Lord back in his proper place, which should be the center of every marriage. We saw a counselor, prayed, and communicated with each other better.”

“Couldn’t you just have said that the counseling and communication is what helped your marriage? I mean, I don’t understand why people feel the need to pray,” Leigh says.

“Prayer is a fundamental part of marriage. I believe that God speaks to us and gives us direction when we pray and seek him. I can’t just say that counseling and communication alone is what helped our marriage. I truly believe it was God. Can I ask you a question? What is about Jesus that has you feeling some type of way?” Jenna asks.

“First, as you know, my grandma was a believer, and she died when I was in high school. My parents prayed and prayed for her to be healed, and she died. Also, what is the point of having a relationship with God when we all have our truths? I believe there are many paths to Heaven. I don’t believe that I have to believe in Jesus or have one specific religion that I’m devoted to go to Heaven. And lastly, I’m a good person. I treat people with respect, and I accepted people for who they are, and I even volunteer and help those that are less fortunate, so I’m sure there’s a place for me in Heaven. Right?”

“You have some powerful arguments. I think some people feel a lot of what you’re feeling. Starting with your grandmother, the Lord did heal her. He just didn’t heal her in the way you wanted her to be healed. We have to understand that God does answer our prayers. He did answer your parents. Your parents asked for your grandma to be healed and healed her by taking her to be with Him in Heaven. She no longer is suffering, and she’s with Jesus,” Jenna says.

“That’s a good point. I never really thought about God answering my parents’ prayers in that way. I wanted her to be healed in this life. It does hurt that she’s gone, but I guess you’re right; he did heal her, just not in this life.

Jenna nods her head.

“Ok, and what about many paths to heaven?” Leigh asks.

“John 14:6 says, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the father except through me. I believe that one of the key things here that the Lord is saying is that he is the only way to Heaven. This would also go along with your second statement about being a good person gets you into Heaven. I think yes, we need to treat each other with respect, but we need Jesus and grace to get us into Heaven. And think about it. Are you a good person one hundred percent of the time? We all get upset or do things that are not right. We all think thoughts that are not nice. Now, you may not do it all the time, but I’m sure there’s something in every person that doesn’t do right one hundred percent of the time. Am I right?”

“Yes. You are right,” Leigh says.

“I mean hypothetically, if all of this was not true, what is the harm in following Jesus. If what you said is true, that there are many paths to Heaven, why does it matter if I follow Jesus because I’m going to Heaven anyway, right?” Think about it. Jenna says.

“Yeah. I understand what you mean. I’ll think about it.” Leigh says.

“You should. I’ll be praying for you,” Jenna says.

The two women finish their coffee and conversation.