"Father, how do I do that. She is here, I can see her, touch her. We can talk and share and hold each other. Anytime I need her I can visibly see she is here. How can I honestly know or be sure I do love You more than her, or anything else? How can anyone be sure?"

"As usual you have a very good question. How do you, or any of My Children, be sure that you love nothing and no-one more than you do Me? I will give you three days to find the answer. It is before you already. Remember it is simple, not complicated. Look not for the secret code, or the hidden meanings, for all My Truth is in plain view and available for all My Children to know. We will continue this discussion when I return in three days. At that time, I will hear your answer. Know that I am Your Father, and that for which you have asked, I have given, out of My love for you."

Our discussion was over. As suddenly as the voice had started, it had stopped. While part of me was thrilled that God had again spoken to me, there were other parts fumbling through all the memory banks of Bible verses, discussions, fairy tales, and movies, searching for a clue as to where to start searching for the answer to this question.

The next three days were anything but restful. I searched the Bible in ways I had never dreamed of before, and found nothing that helped. Oh there were many scriptures about love, and about God, but not one was a pragmatic response that I felt would qualify as a proper answer to the question. I talked to my friends and even to several Pastors I knew, without telling them why I needed to know of course, but none had an answer even close. Most thought that God understood it when we loved another person in a different way than we do Him. But that was not what He said! That was no help at all. Even the prayers I asked for assistance seemed to go unheeded, I felt only more confusion.

I even read books, on related topics, skimmed through them mostly, but found no answer. The third day had arrived. It was already after sunset, and I had not heard from God, and while I was hoping in a way that He may have forgotten, I knew that would not be so. I practiced my speech. I pulled excuses from further back in my past than even I care to admit. I ran a hundred of them through my mind, but all the old reliables failed to convince even me. I knew they could never convince God. I had failed a direct request. I had been given an assignment, directly by God Himself, whom had stated, ! That's it !!.

Father, I pondered, I know You have asked me to give You an answer, but I have a question too. Does not the Bible say that You will never ask of us anything, or more than we can bear ? Why did You ask me a question I cannot answer ?. As I thought, it took only a couple seconds to know that I was really evading the issue, and while some people may think that is humor, I was in NO WAY going to see if God shared that sense of humor. Never!

As the third day passed deeper into night I awaited the next communication with My Heavenly Father. I had desired this ability or opportunity all my life, now I almost dreaded the thought. I had failed. I did not find an answer within, or without. My brain just refused to cooperate. Oh yes, I could take the question apart, I could analyze the contents. But I could not see the picture. I could not change my viewpoint. I could not it seems step back and look from another angle. I had no answer, and I had a meeting coming up with The Creator of the Universe, My Creator. I knew He loved me beyond comprehension, yet I had failed the very first thing He had asked of me. If I had any ego before, I was sure I did not have any now. I was the greatest failure ever. I had lied to God too. I told God many times, that if He would only tell me what He wanted me to do, I would do it. But I couldn't. God even thought this was a "simple" assignment He even said so. Boy, what a flop. There was only one thing I could do. I knew that I had to face God with honest repentance and acknowledge my failure. I longed for this meeting, even while dreading it. My pride, my EGO, my self esteem was under fire, filled with shame and failure, but my Soul and Spirit was singing with joyful anticipation!

"I see you are troubled My son. Have you something you wish to tell me?"

He was here, and I was wishing I wasn't. "Father, I have tried. I have not found the answer. I just cannot seem to relate as to how to answer such a question. I know the answer is there, but I am unable to see it. I am sorry."

"Perhaps that is because your world has become so complicated. All My Children surround themselves with gadgets, and machines, and computers so much so that when something so simple a worm could understand it happens, you have not a clue. You think complicated. You have not looked for a simple enough solution. You must learn to simplify. Then when you think you have found the simple truth, look for an answer even more simple than that. I have already given you the answer Myself."

I tried hard to remember when He gave me the answer. I had reviewed our discussions before, but saw nothing. I knew it was there, but where, and when?

"Now, instead of giving you the answer, I will ask you a few questions. Do you remember Christmas time as a child?"

"Yes Father I do."

"Do you remember all the toys you have ever received during those yearly events?"

"Some of them I do but not all of them."

"Do you remember all the people close to you that gave you the gifts?"

"Yes Father, the people I remember, but not the toys."

"Then which would you say you apparently love the most? The gift? Or, The giver of the gifts?"

"The giver of the gifts Father." WOW, it made sense, but how was this going to answer the question. How can I or anyone else be sure we do not love another person or anything else more than we love God. Or, How can we be sure we love God more than anything or anyone else?

"Now that you know that you love the giver more than the gift it is a simple thing to do that will assure you will always love Me more than even your own child, wife, or even yourself."

"She is the gift I have given you so that you would not have to go through life alone. She is the perfect match for you to grow with, learn from, and to share experiences with. Treat her as you would Me, or My Son. When you look into her eyes, see Me inside her. Each time she brings you joy, thank her for the action, and thank Me for the joy. Do not try to control her, for you will fail. The differences in her may well be the weaknesses in you. When she fails, or makes a mistake, no matter how bad it may appear to you, remember she is My Daughter and I love her, even as I love you. She did not make the mistakes alone, for I was there, just as I am with you when you fail to be all I would have you to be.

She is your perfect mate whom I have chosen many years before you were ready to receive her, or her you. The two of you are one. She is a part of you, and when she is sick, a part of you is sick too. When you laugh, so do I, so share the good times with Me as well as the ones that appear to be bad. She is to teach you and grow by your side. She will build you up, and yes, at times she will bring you down. Know that this is for both of you to overcome and grow, for at these times you must call on Me to help. But know always that I am there, and am aware of all these things, and the lessons and difficulties of life will have less effect on your joy, and the pain will be greatly reduced. Love her with all your heart, protect and care for her as you would protect My own Son were He in your midst and in danger.

What you make of the gifts I have given is your choice. Learn to allow the other to grow as an individual, as well as a team. Learn to respect your differences as well as your singleness. Learn to use your diverse personalities and desires so you can see a much wider picture than either of you could alone.

If you do these things, knowing I am within, and I am the giver of all gifts, then the more love you show for her, the more you will always know you love me. For how can you possibly love Me if you cannot love one who you can see, can touch, can talk to any time you wish? If I have given you a mate, you cannot. Should you choose to unite at all levels, and grow, and laugh, and support each other as equals, We will become a team. When We work as a team, a single unit, a well oiled piece of machinery, there is no power on Earth that is stronger. But this you must desire, this you must learn, this you must know.

Know that when you love her, you are loving me. Every time you look into her eyes, you must see Me looking back for I Am. In this way, the more you love, and show love for her, you will love Me even more. As you respect her as My Daughter, you will respect Me even more. It will be impossible to love her more than Me, for only I am the true source of your love. The closer you come to her, the closer you come to Me. We are one, as My Son Jesus and I are one, as you and He are one, so also are we one

Now I must go My son. Know that as you continue to love, and respect My Daughter, My Gift to you, a time will come when you will see a glimmer of understanding of how much I love All My Children. Together you are one. The two halves now together, equal more than the sum of the parts. For I am within each of you, and My Son Jesus stands at your side. Know this. Believe this. Express this, and you will always know you are never alone. My Blessings upon you."

"Thank You Father, Our Blessings to You." The tears were streaming down my face, so many I knew my shirt would be soaked. As I reached for the napkins on the small table next to me, I marveled at what I had just learned. I got up and went back out to the road in front of my home so I could reflect and give praise. I was so very much aware of the great gift I was given tonight, and it really was so simple too.

If we could live this. If we could really try to see the truth in our loved ones, whomever they are. If we would only treat our family like this, and know that each one is a separate child of Our Living God and respect them as such. So many years we search for this understanding. I had been given this gift of knowledge, but would I live up to it? I prayed so.

"Father help me that I may never fail this assignment, help me to honor my beloved wife and honor her as the gift You saw her worthy to be. Help me to allow her to be Your Daughter, as well as my wife. Allow me to learn from her all you would teach through her to me. Help me to protect her from all harm, and to Honor You through her as well as in all aspects of my life. Help me to someday, be able to share this knowledge with others of Thy Children. And allow this knowledge to help them to see all people in a new light of understanding and respect. This I ask in the name of Thy Son Jesus Christ, and give You my thanks and praise for all You have done for me and all others of Thy Children. Amen."