Wonderful. I actually struggled with that. To use or not to use?? But given the story I felt it was at home there so I trusted myself. Thanks for reading!
I've just completed your review--had to do it while the story was fresh in my mind. Out of fairness, I'll send you the review once all the stories have been sent in. Thank you very much for this story and for participating in the GWC! I really enjoyed this!
Wow, Derek. A modern day Paul on the road to Damascus. Very well done, sir. I grew up in the heart of the Lowcountry on Edisto Island and Walterboro. Haint Blue is the color still used by many to ward off the Plat Eye - Evil spirits that lived in the swamps and lowlands. I guess I better get my story in, then . . .
Thanks Cork! And thank for the extra context around the word haint.
This was a really interesting story to write. Having visited numerous historical sites in that area while I lived there, I remember very well the physical weight that some of those locations brought to me. Many stories to be told from that part of the country.
Thanks for reading and sharing. Looking forward to your story!
Derek this was amazing! I felt such conflicted sympathy for Herman in the first half and loved the Damascus parallels and the way you flipped the king-on-throne image on its head in the second half. Well done!
And yes, I wanted to be very careful writing about his past. I did not want to ever indicate that his "profession" was a good or normal thing in the least.
And this is strange to say but the throne image wrote itself in a way. As soon as I had Herman and Jud walk into the office and had Herman sit something told me to leave Jud standing. It was kind of incredible to write.
Gripping story that explores the topics of Evil and Forgiveness. Even after finishing I still don't know how I feel about the Mc. Did his forgiveness and atonement with his God and his good works that followed undo all the evil he'd done prior to that? I'm assuming it depends on who you ask. The freed slaves after or the many he tortured. I'm sure the answer would be very different. I love a good story that makes one think of such things. Good work!
Thank you so much for reading and for sharing your thoughts. Indeed, forgiveness and our the hurt we've caused in the past are serious matters to consider.
As a Christian, I will reply as best I can from my understanding but I'm not an apologist or well versed in theology at all so bear with me.
But the idea I had in mind for this story is that absolutely nothing can separate us from the love of God. Even when we deliberately participate in the act of creating evil and disorder, God is willing to forgive us if we will submit to his will instead of ours. We need to be willing to give up our authority for his. I do not believe we are to simply forget what we've done but if we are willing to repent or "turn around" God will allow us to take an active role in building his kingdom. However, if we choose to remain apart from him, he'll still use us for his ultimate good will but won't allow us to share in his goodness. Although, again, his arms are always open.
As for our past and its impact on those around, the implications and reality of our sins are undeniable and certainly can extend into the future. But God's grace is something he freely gives and, by his grace, he allows our forgiveness with the expectation that we forgive those who've wronged us in order that we play our part in stopping the cycle of sin that persists. Again, imperfectly. This terribly hard act of forgiveness is not instant and is a part of working on our salvation throughout our lives.
We believe Christ became sin and died for our sins so that He is now able to present us to his Father as cleansed and reconciled back to proper order. And if we are to act as though this is true, we must be willing to forgive those who've harmed us and forgive ourselves as well, doing the best we can moving forward to show God's love to all of creation.
I hope makes some kind of sense and is received in the spirit of kindness it is intended. Thanks again for reading!
It's certainly a thought provoking piece in spite of the religious standing of the reader. It has some powerful, emotional themes that I think could lead to some very interesting and enlightening discussion from both sides in the future.
I am from the Lowcountry and it made me happy to see you use the word haint!
Wonderful. I actually struggled with that. To use or not to use?? But given the story I felt it was at home there so I trusted myself. Thanks for reading!
I've just completed your review--had to do it while the story was fresh in my mind. Out of fairness, I'll send you the review once all the stories have been sent in. Thank you very much for this story and for participating in the GWC! I really enjoyed this!
Thanks Scoot!
Wow, Derek. A modern day Paul on the road to Damascus. Very well done, sir. I grew up in the heart of the Lowcountry on Edisto Island and Walterboro. Haint Blue is the color still used by many to ward off the Plat Eye - Evil spirits that lived in the swamps and lowlands. I guess I better get my story in, then . . .
Thanks Cork! And thank for the extra context around the word haint.
This was a really interesting story to write. Having visited numerous historical sites in that area while I lived there, I remember very well the physical weight that some of those locations brought to me. Many stories to be told from that part of the country.
Thanks for reading and sharing. Looking forward to your story!
Derek this was amazing! I felt such conflicted sympathy for Herman in the first half and loved the Damascus parallels and the way you flipped the king-on-throne image on its head in the second half. Well done!
Thank you so much.
And yes, I wanted to be very careful writing about his past. I did not want to ever indicate that his "profession" was a good or normal thing in the least.
And this is strange to say but the throne image wrote itself in a way. As soon as I had Herman and Jud walk into the office and had Herman sit something told me to leave Jud standing. It was kind of incredible to write.
YES I love that!
Gripping story that explores the topics of Evil and Forgiveness. Even after finishing I still don't know how I feel about the Mc. Did his forgiveness and atonement with his God and his good works that followed undo all the evil he'd done prior to that? I'm assuming it depends on who you ask. The freed slaves after or the many he tortured. I'm sure the answer would be very different. I love a good story that makes one think of such things. Good work!
Thank you so much for reading and for sharing your thoughts. Indeed, forgiveness and our the hurt we've caused in the past are serious matters to consider.
As a Christian, I will reply as best I can from my understanding but I'm not an apologist or well versed in theology at all so bear with me.
But the idea I had in mind for this story is that absolutely nothing can separate us from the love of God. Even when we deliberately participate in the act of creating evil and disorder, God is willing to forgive us if we will submit to his will instead of ours. We need to be willing to give up our authority for his. I do not believe we are to simply forget what we've done but if we are willing to repent or "turn around" God will allow us to take an active role in building his kingdom. However, if we choose to remain apart from him, he'll still use us for his ultimate good will but won't allow us to share in his goodness. Although, again, his arms are always open.
As for our past and its impact on those around, the implications and reality of our sins are undeniable and certainly can extend into the future. But God's grace is something he freely gives and, by his grace, he allows our forgiveness with the expectation that we forgive those who've wronged us in order that we play our part in stopping the cycle of sin that persists. Again, imperfectly. This terribly hard act of forgiveness is not instant and is a part of working on our salvation throughout our lives.
We believe Christ became sin and died for our sins so that He is now able to present us to his Father as cleansed and reconciled back to proper order. And if we are to act as though this is true, we must be willing to forgive those who've harmed us and forgive ourselves as well, doing the best we can moving forward to show God's love to all of creation.
I hope makes some kind of sense and is received in the spirit of kindness it is intended. Thanks again for reading!
It's certainly a thought provoking piece in spite of the religious standing of the reader. It has some powerful, emotional themes that I think could lead to some very interesting and enlightening discussion from both sides in the future.
Nice, Derek! I love historical fiction so this was a treat.
Thanks for reading Kevin!