interference ” ( 209 ). His wife , Sarah , however , is devout , a fact that surprises Neil since “ there weren ’ t many signs of her devotion ” such as church attendance . Yet , he sees in her “ the best argument for loving God that he had ever encountered . If love of God had contributed to making her the person she was , then perhaps it did make sense ” ( 218 ). The years spent together even improved Neil ’ s view of God and given time , Neil “ probably would have reached the point where he was thankful to God ” ( 218 ). However , he is not given that time .
Unfortunately , Sarah is one of eight casualties during a visitation from the angel Nathanael ; she is “ hit by flying glass when the angel ’ s billowing curtain of flame [ shatters ] the storefront window of the café in which she was eating ” ( 206 ). Witnesses see her ascension to Heaven , and while Neil “ could have seen Sarah ’ s death as a wake up-call ,” he instead becomes “ actively resentful of God ” ( 218 ). He wants to be reunited with Sarah , and the only way to achieve this reunion is for Neil to learn to love God . However , he finds himself in a paradox : “ Sarah had been the greatest blessing of his life , and God had taken her away . Now he was expected to love Him for it ? For Neil , it was like having a kidnapper demand love as a ransom for his wife ’ s return . Obedience he might have managed , but sincere , heartfelt love ? That was a ransom he couldn ’ t pay ” ( 218-19 ). He joins a support group of those who witnessed the visitation but is bothered by the suggestion that he should “[ accept ] his role as one of God ’ s subjects ” ( 208 ). Unlike those who have discovered a “ newfound devotion to God ”, Neil is unable to accept his loss and make peace with God ( 208 ).
Unable to find a way to love God , Neil finds a loophole when “ Barry Larsen , a serial rapist and murderer who ,
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