NEGOTIATING HELL: a sequel to CS Lewis' "Screwtape Letters." Ch 17

NEGOTIATING HELL: a sequel to CS Lewis' "Screwtape Letters." Ch 17 - The cost of free will

Mary exited the elevator to heaven. She pulled in a breath of beauty. Today was exhausting yet discernment filled. Mary appreciated heaven’s fresh colors, summer smells and intelligent intellects. As she relived today’s events, Tech approached. He recognized her messy, emotional state. He hugged her respectfully as Mary vented. Tech asked if she would be willing to visit with their Dad? His Omniscience would love to be One with her concerns. He offered to escort her.

Why wouldn’t souls want this? As they strolled, she marveled at the paralyzing perfection everywhere. She paused, noticing a new kind of rose and aroma. She was mildly surprised to see no thorns. Then she smiled, “of course there aren’t thorns, it’s heaven.” She was barely listening to Tech, as he made small talk along the way.

“You haven’t heard a single word I’ve said,” observed Tech, his smile virtuous.

“Sorry?” said Mary, realizing he was talking to her.

“You heard me,” soothed Tech. “Souls get caught in their surroundings, when they first arrive.”

“I can see why,” replied Mary. “I never imagined this. I underestimated God and His splendor.”

“Every soul does,” Tech shrugged. “BTW, here's the activity schedule for tonight. You might be interested in things.”

“Like what?” asked Mary, still awed in gratitude. She took his schedule of events.

Tech reviewed, “St Matthew is planning a card tournament this weekend. He’s taking suggestions on games to play.

The shepherds like sheep’s-head which honors how we will get separated from the goats.

The patron saint of grave diggers, St Anthony of Egypt, nominated Spades.

Of course, Mother Mary always wants Hearts.

To be honest, I prefer euchre.”

“Euchre? You know how to play euchre?” asked Mary, surprised.

“Yes, Sera taught us,” replied Tech. “I know it’s a mid-west card game, but I enjoy partnering with the patron saint of playing cards, St Balthasar from the East. He’s the Magi astrophysicist. He can read matter, for that matter, and visages for energy bursts, peaks and troughs. He counts everyone’s cards. You must join us, when you’re finished. “Well, here we are,” said Tech, as they arrived at God’s office. “Welcome home, he smiled.” He hugged and waved as Mary entered God’s office.

As she approached, the Silhouette-shaded Sera led her to God, as He waited for her. While not her first time, she reveled in his veiled presence and peace! She removed her shoes and knelt.

“My sweet Mary!” He held her hands to help her stand. May we talk on the patio? I AM more comfortable there,” mused God. He opened the patio door for Mary. She followed Him immediately.

“Why open your own doors? Mary asked curiously. Don’t they open automatically?”

“Miss Mary,” observed God, “I am hardly an invalid.” As they sat together, Mary marveled at His stunning view. “You like creation,” asked God. It was a statement, not a question. “I like it too. I cannot create bad things; my resources and talents are for love only.”

Mary’s thoughts raced. Most of her years involved low self-esteem. Then she remembered the world’s ugliness and atrocities committed in His name.

“I don’t like it either,” God said, reading her mind. “Does it all surprise you?”

“IDK … why permit so much ugliness?” asked Mary, hesitantly. She had already angered Satan today. In her present situation, she could ill-afford to anger Dad.

He dodged her question. “It’s crazy, everything I can do out of love,” observed God. “I crack myself up, sometimes.” God was excited and loved creating. “I author beauty, I bestow happiness, enable fun. But the best gift of all,” God continued, “is free will.”

“Why give us the power and ability to screw up Your beautiful works?” queried Mary, confused.

God paused. “I don’t want or need machines or robots. Have you seen, The Stepford Wives? Who wants to be told what to do, constantly?”

“Pretty much no one,” said Mary in agreement.

“How would you discern if I were to tell you how to live or what to do? How would you learn from mistakes? How would you grow in degrees-of-holiness? How would you become a great saint?” asked God.

Mary was unsure of what to say. Then, she considered the horrible things people did to others -- the cruelty, the hatred and so much more.

God read her mind, “you want to know why I allow people to hurt others.”

“Yes” said Mary, a little bit braver. “Some people refuse to believe in a God that allows child molestation, starvation, abortion, cancer …” as her voice trailed away.

“Yes,” said God, “I know, it’s all My fault, I hear it all the time. It’s easier to blame Me than take responsibility, to step up and fix it. This was not the plan, it was the fall that changed things. It’s a test of holiness. The goal is for humans to stand together to fix problems, draw boundaries and to live by the commandments and beatitudes. Imagine the world if all neighbors were loved?”

The waves lapped the beach.

“Souls crave more than mediocrity,” said God, “and with Me, everything is possible.”

“I’m sorry, but the child molesters,” said Mary, “that’s the worst.”

“Yes,” said God. “It angers me, but I send angels to assist the children. During suffering, they get visions and early beatific vision if they are coming home. If it helps you, there is a specific place in hell for perverted souls. It’s such an awful place, even Satan won’t go there!”

Mary sat quietly. After meeting Satan, she thought he would revel in such evil. God continued, “Even Satan views child molesters as the lowest form.”

“Does that mean Satan has redeeming qualities?” asked Mary.

“No,” God stressed. “Satan has no redeeming qualities. He delegates the vilest of tasks but is still guilty vicariously, thru aiding and abetting. He and Moloch have child abusers convinced that my littlest ones are the source of adrenochrome.”

“Adrenochrome? I’m a business major, remember?” Mary knew God knew this.

“It’s an adrenaline derivative, the drug of choice for global elites craving immortality. It's from pediatric blood. The refined drug is extracted from the pituitary gland of live, tortured children and immediately consumed or sold on the black market. Tissue ingestion is common too. Allegedly, it is more potent if the cells are living. Hollywood discusses its benefits in some of these movies and books. They aren't even hiding it."

Monsters, Inc <Disney/Pixar>

A Clockwork Orange <R-rated>

Fear & Loathing in Las Vegas <by Hunter S Thompson, audiobook read by Johnny Depp>

Destination vide <by Frank Herbert, 324-pages>

The Doors of Perception.” <by Adophus Huxley 83-page book>

Mary shuddered, as her face grew whiter. God continued, “three things. First, their theories are irrational. Ingesting live tissue or blood to obtain immortality is irrational. I designed stomach acid to befit a specific environment, to disrupt living cell membranes.

Once the cell membrane is compromised, it can’t regulate ions or water. It dies quickly die within the digestion process. Have you ever seen a patient receive blood transfusions orally? Yet they claim adrenochrome cells work best when consumed alive. They cannot have it both ways.

Secondly, even if received IV, it is inactivated--immediately--by the body. It does not bind with adrenergic, dopaminergic, or serotonergic receptors in any way that produces noticeable effects or long-term benefits. Its structure is pharmacologically unremarkable and metabolically void.

Third, human hormones cannot create immortality. Only I can. Yet, they believe the father of lies; which perpetuates addictive and placebo effects.

You must pray for their souls' conversions. They are my children, created in My image and likeness. Like the good thief on the cross, it is not too late." God saw Mary's discomfort, “I’m sorry, if this is too much for you. Yet, since your visits started, Satan has been on his best behavior and distracted. Perhaps you see firsthand, how he hides his true self. He is entertaining, but he cannot be fully loosed. He must always be kept in check.”

"If they asked sincerely, You would forgive them?" God nodded. This was a lot. “How do You check Satan?” asked Mary, changing the subject.

God replied, “Many ways. This is partly why you’re there. Weekly calls help too. He fancies himself as the great manipulator. His vanity makes him forgetful. It’s comical. But I see how you are all over that. Nice job with the mirrors!”

Mary smiled weakly. She was glad there was no lemonade today. She did not want to toss in God’s office.

God looked at Mary, “this is enough for today. There is more that you will come to understand. It takes time, but it will come,” Mary nodded. She hoped she would learn soon. “Remember Jesus in the Garden of Olives? He knew everything at once—the sins of humanity, the punishment, it was the only way to undo the fall and overcome death. This omniscience made Him sweat blood, or hemi-perspire. His blood pressure spiked to 500/250 at the time. He did it all for love. Do you think mortal humans could carry the worlds' weight on their shoulders, plus forgive?”

She didn’t know what to say.

“It’s been a long day for you, and you’ve discerned much. There is more coming your way tomorrow. Will you come and tell me how it’s going, everyday?” God requested. She nodded her fiat. They headed inside.

God blessed her on the forehead and waved goodbye. “By the way, Mary, you must know that the fallen angels don’t read much in hell.”

Hmmm, Mary thought again. In church and Catechism books, she never saw fallen angels with books. What adventure did God have in store for her now? Wait a minute. How could she complete an assignment where everyone must read and sign a written contract?

She zoomed out. Today, she learned to give over control. By allowing the Holy Spirit — in His perfectly timing — to manage the minion’s furniture delivery, she witnessed gratitude in condemned beings. Well, in all except Satan. It was best to follow God’s lead. He knew exactly what He was doing. He knew how much she could handle at any given moment. God controlled every dial of every action of every minute. He moved dials up or down. Or sideways when she became overwhelmed. Her job was to stay out of the hot kitchen and let God cook — yes, even in hell!

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Chapter 1: Talking to a wall

Chapter 2: Jerking Satan’s Chain & the burning laptop

Chapter 3: “Hmm …. I guess I read that wrong”

Chapter 4: The devil is in the details

Chapter 5: And what was it they wanted to organize?

Chapter 6: Nothing is ever good enough

Chapter 7: What could be worse?

Chapter 8: The learning curve

Chapter 9: It’s all in the sales pitch

Chapter 10: Uh, huh?

Chapter 11: Just the first day