Jenkel, as I said before I can't prove that God exists. But then I can't prove that love exists, that happiness exists. Prove to me that gravity exists! I can't see it.
As for suffering, I don't know why suffering happens. I don't want suffering in my life and have no idea if my faith could take a major tragedy. I most emphatically do not believe that God causes suffering, or wills suffering, or that it is in his/her plan for us that any of us will suffer. At the same time however, I do wonder what a world without suffering may be like. Would I really count my blessings if there was no possible downside? Would I really appreciate dh, the dds, my family, without the always-present knowledge that the could be taken from me at any minute - in this life at any rate? Would I appreciate the fact that I live like royalty compared to the millions in the developing world? Would I want to get off my backside and help if everything was rosy? Without suffering there is no need for bravery, self-sacrifice, kidness or mercy.
Papillon, no I don't view the Creation an dGarden of Eden stories literally, although I agree with ruty that they are intersting metaphors and we still have a lot to learn from them. I don't believe that God has 'kicked us out' but as ruty says, the story of the forbidden fruit and exile from Eden is a metaphor for how it feels to be isolated from God by choosing the wrong way to live. By this I mean choosing evil over good, not non-belief over belief. As for your question on parenting, well, you will get a vast range of answers and I'm sure, many wise ideas. But none of them will be as wise or as loving as God - we only shadow his/her parenthood, and could never approach being like him/her.
Something I've been thinking about a lot lately is what it means for God to be female. I understand through my own journey what it is for God to be Mother, but as we are all made in his image, but not all women are mothers, it's an interesting idea. Well, for me anyway!!!