Faith Gregor Despises
483 Words
A Faith Gregor Despises.
Sunday morning came quietly.
Daniel woke early. Elena was already dressed. Lucas moved slowly, like someone carrying a heavy thought.
Gregor watched them from the hallway.
“Where are you going?” he asked.
“To service,” Daniel replied.
Gregor frowned. “Again?”
Elena spoke gently. “You are welcome to come.”
Gregor shook his head. “I do not sit among people pretending to hear voices.”
Daniel did not argue. “We’ll be back soon.”
When they left, the house felt empty.
Gregor walked through the rooms slowly. He noticed small things he had ignored before. A family photo on the wall. Lucas smiling between his parents. A note on the fridge with simple words: Be kind today.
Gregor scoffed. “Kindness does not stop pain.”
Still, the words stayed with him.
He stepped outside and found Mira sitting on her porch.
“They’ve gone to pray,” Gregor said.
“Yes,” Mira replied.
“You really believe someone listens?” Gregor asked.
Mira nodded. “Not always in the way we expect.”
Gregor sat across from her. “Then what is the point?”
Mira looked at him. “It teaches us humility.”
Gregor laughed bitterly. “Humility is for people who failed.”
Mira met his eyes. “Or for people brave enough to admit they’re tired.”
Gregor stood up. “I am not tired.”
Mira did not argue.
At the service, Lucas sat quietly.
He listened to words about forgiveness. About letting go of pride. About strength that does not shout.
His mind drifted to his grandfather.
He wondered why faith made Gregor so angry.
When they returned home, Gregor was waiting.
“So,” he said, “did you feel lighter?”
Daniel answered calmly. “Yes.”
Gregor shook his head. “Then you are fooling yourself.”
Lucas spoke before thinking. “Maybe you’re afraid.”
The room froze.
Gregor turned slowly. “Afraid of what?”
Lucas’s voice trembled. “Afraid that if you kneel, you’ll lose yourself.”
Gregor stared at him.
Daniel stepped in quickly. “Lucas”
But Gregor raised his hand.
“No,” he said. “Let him speak.”
Lucas swallowed. “You’re strong. Everyone sees that. But maybe strength can also listen.”
Gregor’s face hardened.
“Enough,” he said. “You are a child.”
Lucas felt tears rise, but he did not look away.
That night, Gregor sat alone in the dark.
He hated faith because it reminded him of a time he once believed, and was disappointed.
He hated prayer because it made room for hope.
And hope, once broken, never heals cleanly.
But for the first time in many years, the boy’s words echoed in his mind.
What if kneeling does not destroy a man…
but reveals him?
- Writer
