First, I thought Kev must have intended God is missing from many people's lives. It sounded pious enough. What could be wrong with that? It was too religious for Kev, and for me. No, God was not the big lacuna in this sense. God would never be missing in action or AWOL. No, Dr Lee said that God is not missing from anywhere.
I had a second attempt. What if we were the ones missing? I know where I am. I cannot be missing. “What is the big lacuna?” I pondered.
Then it came to me, “It's the missing voice in the conversation.” We exclude God from the conversation. The universities are full of scholars speculating about God and there are multitudes of people exploring alternatives without stopping to ask God for directions. Most leave God out of the discussion and plan their expeditions without him. If God is everywhere but we fail to contact him, our failure must be avoidable.
I realised that I needed a confab with God about the quest. I must make an appointment with God. How does one book an appointment with God? The next day, being Sunday, I decided I would go to the Newtown Observers’ Club for help.
I arrived mid-morning to find the club in a commotion. There with people running everywhere. Kev Makeshaw was at the centre of the bustle. He had a map laid out on the table. “Excellent timing, Albert. We are just leaving for a God observation trip. Do you want to come?”
“Do I!” I said not hiding my enthusiasm.
“There’s been a sighting out west. These things can be contagious. I am sure we will see God. We should take a look.” Kev took a last suck on his cigar before putting it out.
At that moment, a small car with P-plates pulled up outside the club. The driver was Max Bradfield, one of my students. He was wearing cricket whites and a blue university team cap on his head. Kev saw my surprise and commented that Max was a leader of the Observers’ Club youth group. I squeezed into the back of the car with Kev, who rarely drove being too busy making phone calls.
I was amazed when Dr Imy Haratharama climbed into the front seat, but then she turned and said, “Albert, I’m surprised to see you here.”
“It’s part of my research for a field guide,” I replied.
“Yes, me too. Research.” I think it was a case of two half— truths makes one lie.
During the journey, we passed the impressive buildings of Furnace Fashions and Pompadour Welding Helmets, which reminded me of the need to take precautions. As my mind wandered, I remembered the question that I went to the club to ask.
I turned to Kev, “I attended the club this morning to ask you if God takes appointments and how to make one.”
He smiled and said, “It looks like you already have an appointment.” Could God have read my thoughts about making an appointment? Was this an example of God’s famed omniscience?
During a conversation about Max’s chances of making the university’s fifth grade cricket team, Max mentioned Bob Farcourt was a member of the cricket club. Bob was captain of the third grade team. Max had invited Bob to come on our field trip, but Bob said that as captain he should lead his team onto the field.
“I am not surprised,” said Kev to Max. “Those Nos always have an excuse. They are never interested in joining a God observation expedition. God observation never fits into their schedules.”
We arrived where the sighting had occurred, the Western Suburbs Observers’ Club. Max parked in the car park. I felt uneasy. God appearing at an Observers’ Club would be like a wild lion appearing at a zoo. I thought we were going bush. If God wanted to meet us at an Observers’ Club, why not at Newtown? Surely God’s presence here would set the building ablaze? I had so many questions I was hesitant to enter the club.