So...I just came back from Sunday mass / service with my family, and it's really amazing how God works because today's teaching has answered a question I didn't notice was bothering me until now.
When I read reviews of my work and emails from readers, one of the more common complaints and questions has to do with my heroines. Why are they so weak? And reading between the lines I'm guessing by 'weak' they're asking why do my heroines forgive so easily?
Take for instance Stavros and Willow's story. He's fucked another girl right where Willow can hear it.
How can she forgive this? How can she still love him after this?
And so forth. You can probably cite all my books and you'll easily find something similar.
When I get this question, I typically don't reply - if I ever did, I can't remember to be honest; maybe once or twice, when I was just naive and starting out.
I don't reply because I believe we all have the right to think and feel the way we do, and there's no need for me to justify why I chose to write my story in any particular away.
However, after today's service, I realize that I at least owe it to everyone to explain, just once, and then the link will go to my FAQ post.
And now, for the answer, let's watch this first.
When I read reviews of my work and emails from readers, one of the more common complaints and questions has to do with my heroines. Why are they so weak? And reading between the lines I'm guessing by 'weak' they're asking why do my heroines forgive so easily?
Take for instance Stavros and Willow's story. He's fucked another girl right where Willow can hear it.
How can she forgive this? How can she still love him after this?
And so forth. You can probably cite all my books and you'll easily find something similar.
When I get this question, I typically don't reply - if I ever did, I can't remember to be honest; maybe once or twice, when I was just naive and starting out.
I don't reply because I believe we all have the right to think and feel the way we do, and there's no need for me to justify why I chose to write my story in any particular away.
However, after today's service, I realize that I at least owe it to everyone to explain, just once, and then the link will go to my FAQ post.
And now, for the answer, let's watch this first.
This video made me cry in church. >.< I hate crying in public, but I guess it was appropriate I was able to watch this now because it's enlightened me on how to best define my work.
If you've watched the video, you'd have seen the cruel pleasure Jesus' tormentors had in whipping and causing Him pain. But here's the question - do you believe Jesus hates them for what they've done? Do you believe Jesus stopped loving them?
If you've watched the video, you'd have seen the cruel pleasure Jesus' tormentors had in whipping and causing Him pain. But here's the question - do you believe Jesus hates them for what they've done? Do you believe Jesus stopped loving them?
Luke 23:34 Then said Jesus, Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do. And they parted his raiment, and cast lots.
The answer is NO.
And that is what I hope the characters in my works exemplify. That is what I hope my stories are able to deliver across. God loves us despite us our many shortcomings, failures, and imperfections. God forgives us even when we haven't earned His forgiveness.
If God is able to forgive and without question, how can we NOT do this as well? How can we at least NOT TRY?
Now, I'm not saying that forgiveness is to condone evil. OF COURSE NOT. God Himself gives us challenges in life to make us reflect and repent, to desire forgiveness and seek atonement.
What I am saying is that FORGIVENESS IS LOVE. If to forgive easily to make a person weak in someone else's eyes, so be it. This is nothing to be ashamed of. I can't say that I am able to follow this myself in real life - it's a personal struggle for me, too, but I try. And with God's grace, I hope eventually I'm able to forgive AND love as easily as the characters in my book do.
The end. :)
A blessed Sunday to you all!
And that is what I hope the characters in my works exemplify. That is what I hope my stories are able to deliver across. God loves us despite us our many shortcomings, failures, and imperfections. God forgives us even when we haven't earned His forgiveness.
If God is able to forgive and without question, how can we NOT do this as well? How can we at least NOT TRY?
Now, I'm not saying that forgiveness is to condone evil. OF COURSE NOT. God Himself gives us challenges in life to make us reflect and repent, to desire forgiveness and seek atonement.
What I am saying is that FORGIVENESS IS LOVE. If to forgive easily to make a person weak in someone else's eyes, so be it. This is nothing to be ashamed of. I can't say that I am able to follow this myself in real life - it's a personal struggle for me, too, but I try. And with God's grace, I hope eventually I'm able to forgive AND love as easily as the characters in my book do.
The end. :)
A blessed Sunday to you all!
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