The Greatest Story Ever Told

I didn't become a Christian easily. As a matter-of-fact, I've been through just about ever major religion out there and then some. I wanted to make this blog all flowery and pretty, but it isn't coming out that way. So, I'll just tell you my story in bullet points.

1. Went New Age

This occupied an enormous amount of my time. Time a dear friend spent trying to convince me that Christianity was the way to go. She died of breast cancer thirty years ago. And that's just about how long it took me to get here. 

2. Dropped most of the New Age stuff and stuck with reincarnation

This took up another few years. Until life taught me that I don't want to come back here again. It's hard enough this time around. I get that some people actually remember their past lives. But what if it were true that we kept repeating lives until we realized WE DIDN'T NEED TO. There is that. And I suppose it's possible to want to come back. I love nature and animals and some people. As a matter-of-fact, it's people that cause most problems. So, if I could come back with just a few choice people I might consider it.

3. Jumped into the Srimad-Bhagavatam

Too many characters and gods. Some were the same god with different faces. However the meditation has served me well even now when it's referred to as mindfulness.

4. Read the Koran

I just couldn't get past the infidel part. No, seriously. I couldn't. I cannot find it in my heart to condemn anyone. Ever. Again, life is too hard.

5. Quantum Theory

Ah, now here is some science I can get my teeth into. And it is quantum theory that turned my life around. I could get all theoretical on you, but won't. Let's just say that you change something just by looking at it. Take it a step further and you can say that you create your own reality. I rested there awhile.

Until something so horrible happened to me and my family that the thought of being responsible for this creation of heartache and suffering was more than I could bear. Mid-way through the tragedy, in the privacy of my own home,  I threw myself down on the floor and prayed.  My conversion began there, on the floor, no hope, a prayer born of frantic desperation.

Everyone's walk is different. I believe that for some it may be Vishnu that calls them. Or they find their faith in the Buddha. Maybe it's just the simple words of Tao.

6. Simplicity is beautiful

While it is commendable to want peace in the world you must recognize that evil exists. For a long time, I existed  in a fairy tale world where if you believed something hard enough it would happen. Or if you started to take one action that action would grow until it encompassed the world.  You know, like, "Peace, brother."

But I have lived long enough to know that dreams like those will not happen. At least in my lifetime. 

Evil exists. I have seen it face-to-face and it is not pretty.

I am a writer and writers or at least some writers love to tell stories. When I realized that the Bible was one fantastic story about a group of people, chosen by God, their story finished today, on Easter Sunday, suddenly it became doable, the mystery of life, knowable.  Jesus is a very simple man with a very simple story. He puts the icing on the cake for those that believe the Bible is chronicling a people and their journey. And what a journey it is. Truly, the Greatest Story Ever Told.

You won't find me burning incense, although it does smell good, or lighting candles, which I have done, or even in church every Sunday as I am immune compromised, but my faith continues to grow when I realize how easy it is. I don't have to come back unless I want to. I cannot create my reality and am therefore not responsible for the evil in this world. I am forgiven yesterday, today, and tomorrow.

You see, you can walk each step of your life, experience each hardship, and then ultimately find peace.

Because, to me, that's what it's all about.

Happy Easter, everyone

Louann

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