My Grandmother read her bible every day. I was young, maybe eight or nine, when I asked her, what is faith? and this is what she said.

Grandma said I had to decide what was stronger - good or evil - then shushed me before I blurted out my answer. Before I made my decision, she wanted me to think about it, really, really hard.

Grandma had a way of putting things in our heads that would not go away. As the months passed, her question seemed to be there in everything happening around me. Was good or evil stronger?

Eventually, Grandma asked if I'd made my decision or needed more time? Nope, I was ready. I knew the answer: Good, I said, was stronger than evil. Well then, said Grandma, "that's your faith" and went back to her reading.

Ummm. Uh. Huh? I do not understand I whined, so Grandma explained.

Since I believed good was stronger than evil, I would search the world for good and if I didn't find it, I would create it. That, she said, is the meaning of faith.

But Grandma what would have happened if I had chosen evil? She replied just as simply... I would have searched the world for evil and if I didn't find it, I would have created it. I was so, so, so glad I had chosen good.

The older I get the more amazing that simple lesson on faith becomes. No matter how hard I try, how twisted the world seems, or how much evidence is put before me, I just cannot make myself believe that evil is stronger than good.

Because of where I live, I am often in the company of evangelical Christians. Their belief in the power of evil is an awesome sight to behold. Some of these people love me and I love them too. They want to save me, bring me into their fold. They are persistent people and never give up on me. While I appreciate their efforts, I cannot make myself believe that all the evil they believe in, is stronger than good. Instead of bringing me into their faith, they reinforce and strengthen mine. It’s almost a one to one equation.

When they talk about something, they call the Rapture, Armageddon, the End Times, or the Apocalypse it is clear to me, that their faith in evil is sincere. They say they live their faith and I believe them.

Sometimes, when I get down on my knees to weed the garden, I sit back and take in the valley before me stretching to meet the mountains that cradle us and know we never left the Garden of Eden.

I wish my Grandma was still here, for I would like to talk to her about this. I want to know what she would say, when I told her, the first lie in the bible was the part that says, we were thrown out of the Garden of Eden. I am pretty sure, she would nod her head, smile her knowing smile and say that is faith.