In response to Genesis 3

By Evan Lewis in Prayers

God, what were you thinking of?

Is that how it really happened, God?
Six thousand years ago?

Then what were you thinking of?
Didn't you know it would turn out like that?
Did you miscalculate?
Did you expect us to remain aimless?
Just to wander, endlessly, round the garden?
Without being inquisitive?

Or ...
Did you actually set it up?
Did you mean it to be like that, all along?
Did you know all along what Eve would do?
Did you want our race to imagine and experiment, to learn and grow?

To be honest, we rather admire Eve.
Her spunk. Her curiosity. Her wish for experience.
We would like to think we take after her.
We have been given so much through her.
So much that is warm ... beautiful ... clever ... exciting.

Yes, we know:
... so much that is terrible too, awful.

Did Eve do right or wrong?
What will it all come to?
Do you know how our story will end, God?
We don't know.
And we are afraid.

Deep down, we all want what you want -
What we think you want:
Love, compassion, community, peace.

Will it ever turn out like that?
Stay with us, God.
Keep talking to us, God.
Help us to make it happen, God. Amen.

(September, 2003)