Can Good Be Evil?

Ring! Ring

“Hello.”

“Hello, Parson, this is Vickie.”

“Hi, Vickie, how in the world are you doing. I haven't heard your voice for a long, long time.”

“I know, Parson. I'm sorry. I told you I'd keep in touch but when we got here and there was a new school and a new church and new friends, and I had to get used to everything … I'm really sorry, Parson. I really did mean to call and keep in touch, but I just didn't. I'm sorry.”

“Oh, Vickie, you don't have to be sorry. I understand more than you know. Tell me, how's the new neighborhood?”

Vickie had attended the parson's church, but her father had been transferred to another city by his company. The parson had transferred their membership within weeks of their arrival in the new community. Vickie's family was not the type to not attend church.

“Oh, it's actually really nice. At first I didn't like it. I missed all my friends, but, just like you told me, I've got new friends here. Hey, Parson, how's Veronica doing?”

“She's doing really good, Vickie. She got an award for academic achievement and I think she place pretty high in the state track championships.”

“That's great. I guess I should call her, too.

“Is she a friend on Facebook?” asked the parson.

“Yeah, she is,” said Vickie.

“Well, why don't you just leave her a message on Facebook. That might be easier.”

“You're right, Parson. I'll do that tonight.”

There was a pregnant pause. Then, Vickie continued.

“Parson, I called you because I needed to ask you about something I said. I need to know if I'm right.”

“What's that?” asked the parson.

“Okay, here's the thing. When the news came on about the tornadoes hitting where you live, I told some of my classmates I used to live there.”

“One kid in the class said that he guessed the people up there really sinned in order for that tornado to kill so many people.”

“I'm sorry to hear that, Vickie,” said the parson.

“Yeah, well, Parson, what I need to know is whether I'm right or not. I told him that God is good and because God is good then God cannot do an evil thing.”

Another pause followed. The parson contributed to it as he remembered Vickie was only thirteen.

“So, Parson, am I right?”

“You're right, Vickie,” said the parson. “You are absolutely right!