28 Comments

Well-written piece on a puzzling matter. From my perspective, understanding what happened in Genesis 1-3 is crucial to grasping the role of free will vs fate and the reasons and effect of Mankind's evil acts.

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Thank you, Linda, for reading my story. It is so good that you have found the way that is exactly right for you.

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Ah... He's started his journey to finding God. He's asking from the heart. We are free to choose. Everything. To help or to hinder.. or just not help. It is a wonder He hasn't just killed us all off... o wait.. He did that once before. Culture in India says He did that SEVEN times before. And still, some people, a dreadful lot of them, are as mean and vicious as ever. We are told He is patient... He wants his brat kids to get a clue and make HIS choices. But tough luck: He gave us free will. AND the instruction book, the complete cheat sheet, open book test. "Seek and ye shall find" right? We get less than 110 years to figure it out. Then comes the big test. "Thursday, 2 pm" He taps His watch. Pencils down.

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Thanks, Kate for reading my story! It is so good you have found the truth that is exactly right for you.

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You've gone 'deep' on us, Sharron. There is Good and Evil. And Life and Death. The Good must choose Life, and must overcome the Death of Evil. There is where 'Our Father' is.

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This is not my usual subject, James Ron, but with the world as it stands today, I think this short piece is simply a reminder that some people have questions and some people have answers. The questions are not the same for every one and neither are the answers...

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It’s the age old question, innit?

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Yes, it is. The same since the time of living in caves. It is a human trait to wonder and guess.

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My eyes aren’t great at the moment and I read this as “It is a human treat to wonder and guess”, and I thought wow! What a sweet way of thinking about it...

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Thank you, Chloe, for dropping in over here at 🍁Leaves. You have so many choices of writers on Substack - I am honored you chose me!

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The ending was divine, Sharron.

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Thank you for reading this short piece, Amie. It is not my subject. I am like the guy sitting in the church. I have no belief what so ever, but when my plane is going down, I pray. It is natural.

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The uncertainty of not knowing and yet hoping nonetheless. If the kindness doesn't come from us, where will it come from?

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Amen to that. You and I, Heather. Kindness is our religion. It is enough for me.

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Absolutely beautiful. I've been this guy many times while watching people I love struggle and suffer.

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Thank you, Kristi, for your comment. I DO understand it.

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I ask those questions, all the time.

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Yes. I asked my mother once, "Ma, what do you think the meaning of life is?" And, at the age of 97, she said, "I been wondering about that for a long time, honey, but I don't have the answer yet." I loved that "yet". She had hope in all things until she died.

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“Our father,” he asks, “where are you?” A timely question, Sharron. I hope he hears the answer.

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Thanks, Jim.

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"And yet. And yet – here he sits, alone in this quiet place of worship, comforted...."

So many questions, and the answers aren't quite there. What an absolutely beautifully-judged post, Sharron. Bravo!

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Thank you, Rebecca.

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Sounds like you're sitting right next to the guy in the story. Lots of questions. Answers only one at a time. Lots of space between. You've got your readers thinking. Well writ Lady. )))

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Thank you, Kate.

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So very powerful, Sharron. Chillingly and so relevant. Thank you for this. Hugs!

P.S. And the stained glass windows! To die for (not literally, of course. :D)

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Of course! Thanks, Connie

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I’m this man in the church. A very relatable story for me personally. Thank you for this, Sharron. It perfectly captures how I feel regarding this topic (though I often don’t admit it).

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I suspect you are in good company with your views, Justin. Especially nowadays.

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