what is a sin?

Forgive me, but I do not know what sin is.

As a child we are taught many, many things,

We learned: don’t lie, don’t steal, don’t hurt people, etc.

I’ve been lied to, probably by everyone I’ve ever met. I been stolen from, mostly by strangers. And I’ve been hurt, mostly by the closest people in my life.

I’ve lied, to a lot of people. I’ve stolen. And I have even probably hurt many people whom I love.

But was I lied to with good intentions? Was I having a bad day and you just wanted to make me feel better? Was it something I would never find out the truth about, and the truth would only hurt me? Did I do something to make you cry and you didn’t want me to know it was me who hurt you? Did you love me too much to tell me the truth?

When you stole, did you need it more than I did? Were you desperate and confused? Did you slave away at work and still had too many bills to pay and could never afford those shoes so you took from me? Was your wallet empty and your stomach too? Were you trying to do better and cried after you took what you did and tried to return it but I was already gone?

When you hurt me, were you hurting too? Did you think that you were justified, and that I was overreacting? Did you hurt yourself later because you felt bad? Did you overreact and regret it later?

After all that is considered, I don’t know what is a sin or isn’t.