| THE HUMMINGBIRD PAGE 2 |
I leaned my chin upon my hand And just asked her plain…straight out: ”How long ago? How old were you? When you first started having doubts?” Confused, she said, “About God, you mean?” When I nodded, she shook her head “By the time I gave up make-believe Santa and Jesus BOTH were dead!” She sipped her coffee, then glanced at me “I must have been nine or ten… When Mom got sick….they said she’d die That’s what the doctors told us then. We went to church almost every week Our pastor said, 'Trust God and pray!' So for weeks I did…but she still died One cold November day… I knew then it all was nonsense There was no “Father” up in Heaven… I stopped buying into that whole line Completely when I turned eleven. All the stuff they preach at church? God’s grace and answered prayers? It’s hogwash….I learned the hard way There’s no one listening from up there…. Every thing I have today? I earned it….on my own! My clothes, my cars, even my friends My credit cards, both my homes! God’s never done a thing for me So why should I believe in Him? My life is what I’ve made it…. All the strength I need’s within!!” She got up and refilled both our cups Then came outside once again… She sat back down and looked over at me Saying, “That’s all of it…AMEN! That’s MY story…now it’s YOUR turn Tell me what I want to know… What keeps you on such an even keel No matter how bad things seem to go?” I sipped my coffee first, then asked “Why should it matter what I’ve found? You just said your life was perfect… You had it sewed up safe and sound! So why are you even wondering What I have that you do not?” She sat there speechless for a moment I guess I had her on the spot! “Well first of all, life’s not perfect I have problems like everyone does… Too many bills, not enough time Everything’s harder than it was! Some days I feel I just can't cope Like I’m staggering under a weight That’s pressing on me all day long And it’s more than I can take!” I asked, “Ever feel like something’s missing? Or wonder what else you could do?” She laughed.”That happens a lot these days Every time I look at you! But I know you’re life’s not perfect either We’ve been friends for long enough… But somehow nothing rattles you.. Not even when things get tough!” |
GO TO PAGE 3 RETURN TO PREVIOUS PAGE RETURN TO STORIES INDEX RETURN TO SITEMAP RETURN TO FRONT PORCH |
