I, too, am not a believer and those who claim to be often perplex and vex me. Holding that precious but not “perfect” baby, I couldn’t help but think of misgendered children, born one gender on the outside and a different one on the inside. Many Christians, especially here in the conservative South, say God makes no mistakes so no one is ever born misgendered. Then, what of all the children such as the one I was holding? Did God, or whom/whatever choose them to be disabled, different, challenged? Was that a choice of a higher power because God makes no mistakes? If so, why? And, if there is a reason, why are his other “perfect” creations unaccepting of one who is different and quick to place blame on the mother or father for something done wrongly?

The whole God theory unravels at that point. Either you believe God makes no mistakes and love everyone equally or you must accept that God does make mistakes, or at least allows them, and love everyone equally. No one is to blame.

The other choice is to believe God put creation in process and let’s it play out as it will — ”mistakes” and all. His hand isn’t actively involved.

Or, lastly, you believe in science and nature rather than God, and you know that nothing and no one is perfect. There are hiccups in nature. No one’s fault — just anomalies. And, you accept and love all.

There are no whys. And, therefore, no blame. None of us is more deserving than another. In words more coarse, shit happens. It happens no matter how good we are, how well we plan, the precautions taken, the efforts expended. And, it’s no one’s fault and no one’s mistake. Neither is it God’s will, blessing, or punishment.