Page 40 of Divine Temptations

A chorus of groans.

I held up a hand. “Hey now. This one’s my favorite. And if you listen closely, you’ll see why.”

I started with the Beatitudes.

Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

As I spoke, the kids quieted. Some leaned forward. A few fidgeted. But Dixie sat still beside me, watching with those wide, thoughtful eyes, like she was trying to memorize every word.

Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.

Jake mourned.

Even if he never said it out loud, I’d seen it in him. The sorrow and the ache. The way he carried loss like it lived in his bones.

I’d comforted him in the dark, whispering things I didn’t yet understand, and maybe that had been holy.

Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.

Jake wasn’t meek in the way people think of it. He was bold, loud, sinful on the surface. But his heart? His heart was gentle. Protective.

Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied.

I was starving.

I was starving for peace, for truth, for the ability to love him without shame.

And maybe I was done pretending I didn’t deserve that satisfaction.

The kids were still watching me. I didn’t know how long I’d paused.

Then Dixie raised her hand.

“Brother Ethan,” she said, like she’d been waiting her whole life to ask this question, “how come Jesus said all those nice things to sad people?”

I blinked. “Well,” I said slowly, “because He wanted them to know they weren’t forgotten. That God saw them. That even if the world didn’t treat them right, heaven still would.”

She nodded like that tracked. Then she tilted her head. “So that means love is always a good thing, right?”

I froze, and my breath hitched.

Dixie plowed on, oblivious. “Because Jesus talked about love all the time. He said to love your neighbor and your enemies and poor people and even tax guys and that nobody’s too yucky for God. Right?”

The clouds in my mind…

They parted.

Like a curtain had been yanked aside, and light came flooding through.

God was love.

That wasn’t just a phrase, it was the root of everything. Love your neighbor. Love your enemy and love the ones you’re told not to.

So how could this aching, soul-deep love I felt for Jake be a sin?

God didn’t make mistakes.

And God had put Jake in my path.