For MindLoveMiserysMenagerie’s Sunday Writing Prompt: to write a piece launched by this quote from Sherlock Holmes (the series):
Oh, I may be on the side of the angels, but don’t think for one second that I am one of them …..
Seventy times seven, blah, blah, blah. Have you ever done the math? I have. 490. That’s it. At this point I have more than fulfilled my quota of this mandate to forgive. Besides, I don’t see anyone standing in line to forgive me for existing. In fact, the hits keep coming, if you know what I mean. Here are a few gems from that hit list…
“Love the sinner, hate the sin…You know we love you. We just don’t agree with your lifestyle choices….You could change if you wanted to…You have an agenda…Stop flaunting your sexuality…It’s just a phase…You don’t deserve special rights…It’s because of you we have earthquakes, hurricanes, floods…the plague (I wish I was that powerful)…You’re an abomination…God hates you…You’re going to hell (kinda thought I was already there)…and my personal favorite; the one that rips through me like a hot poker through butter…I’m praying for you.”
Please don’t. I’m trying to forgive you. I’m trying to not judge you. I’m trying to love you, but you make it so difficult.
Because there’s this too. “Love your enemies… If someone slaps you on one cheek, turn to them the other also. If someone takes your coat, do not withhold your shirt from them.” I fall short everyday. But that doesn’t mean I don’t keep trying; 490 times 490 times and counting.
One day I’ll get it right. In the meantime I am well aware of my flaws and weaknesses. I’m no angel…but neither are you.
And there I go again. Judging you for judging me. I guess that’s why we need practice at this forgiveness thing. I should have just said, “I’m no angel” and left it at that.
~kat
like mercury colliding... 
September 17th, 2017 at 9:24 am
The mental struggle manifests beautifully through the lines.
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September 17th, 2017 at 9:43 am
Thank you Reena. 😊
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September 17th, 2017 at 10:38 am
Must try harder! Just like me.
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September 17th, 2017 at 10:39 am
❤️
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September 17th, 2017 at 12:25 pm
Like your wry tone and the pithiness of the writing. You say a lot in so few words. Inspiring
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September 17th, 2017 at 12:36 pm
Thank you Francine. ❤️
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September 17th, 2017 at 12:50 pm
Wow! Well done Kat!
You’ve created a brilliant piece here – with just enough of an edge, to write honestly, authentically – without being offensive and provoking. And this, this is a wonderful gift. 😀
I like how you’ve interpreted this prompt – and how you’ve written the entire piece, from start to finish. You’ve explored the ideas of “accusations/blame/shame” so well – and it begs the question and ideas, of why do I (you) need to justify myself to you, or anyone else. Totally brilliant.
These lines? I love them.
the one that rips through me like a hot poker through butter…I’m praying for you.”
Please don’t.
I should have just said, “I’m no angel” and left it at that.
Fantastic from start to finish.
Thanks for playing the Sunday writing prompt Kat.
💕 Beautifully expressed!
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September 17th, 2017 at 12:56 pm
Thank you for such an excellent prompt. The struggle is real. Carl Jung has said we cannot become whole without embracing our shadow self. I tend to agree. 😊
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September 17th, 2017 at 1:19 pm
Yes, we need to embrace and accept that we are neither “all or nothing” – we are everything. All potential, for anything, of any kind, whether dark/light – good/bad/ – negative/positive – exists within us – all; it’s just damn impossible to remember when we seem to be on the receiving end of all kinds of sanctimonious “stuff”.
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September 17th, 2017 at 4:19 pm
Yes indeed! How right you are. Have a great Sunday! 😊
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September 17th, 2017 at 4:52 pm
thanks – you too – and I hope you have a wonderful week 🙂
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September 17th, 2017 at 1:56 pm
The forgiveness to which we aspire can be so difficult to achieve, can’t it? You catch the difficulty of it admirably.
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September 17th, 2017 at 4:21 pm
The subtlety of the slip can happen so easily. 🤔 Despite our best intentions.
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September 17th, 2017 at 6:20 pm
Brava.. 😎😎😎😎😎
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September 18th, 2017 at 4:36 am
True words. ..the struggle is never-ending. Love your take on the prompt ☺
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September 18th, 2017 at 6:02 am
It is. Thank you Vivian. ❤️
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