I wish this feeling would never end, Julie thought as she sat near the campfire with her youth group friends. As she and her Christian friends sang God's praises, she felt closer to Him than ever before. But she knew the feeling would end. She'd been to retreats before, and she knew what would happen. She'd go home tomorrow, and when the alarm woke her on Monday morning, she wouldn't feel nearly as close to God as she did now. But, her thoughts ran on, if I don't feel close to God when I'm home, maybe this feeling of God's presence is just in my head. Maybe He isn't real at all. Julie tried to forget these ideas, but she couldn't.

When Julie arrived home the next day, Mom was busy getting dinner ready. "My cousin Pauline called me this afternoon, and she's coming for dinner," Mom explained as she scurried about.

"I didn't know you had a cousin named Pauline," said Julie as she began to help.

"When we were kids, we spent a lot of time together," said Mother, "but in recent years, we've pretty much lost touch. I think you'll enjoy her."

Mother was right. That evening, Julie found Cousin Pauline delightful. She entertained them all during dinner with funny stories about Mom's childhood. "I'm glad I got to know you," Julie told her. "And just think -- a few hours ago, I didn't know you existed."

"I've been here all along," Cousin Pauline said with a wink.

The words stuck with Julie. Cousin Pauline's existence wasn't dependent on Julie knowing about her or "feeling her presence." It was the same with God. I've been just like Thomas in the Bible, Julie told herself. Thomas doubted Jesus was really alive until he saw Him, and I sometimes doubted God was real because I didn't always feel His presence. Her thoughts were interrupted by Mom's suggestion.

"Tell us about the retreat," said Mom.

"It was great," Julie said. "Really great!"