by Darrell Case
"No, not today."
"But Jack, she's been looking forward to it all morning."
"I said not today, maybe we'll do it tomorrow."
Avoiding Emily's surprised look, Jack hurried out the back door. Not knowing where he was going, he soon found himself in the cemetery.
To placate Emily, Ruth said, "I'll tell you what, soon as we finish the dishes, we'll take some carrots and apples to Gideon. Would you like that?"
"Sure, Gram," Emily said with a sigh.
In the months that he had been at the Johnson farm, Gideon had grown fat and content. He had also become an attraction to the neighborhood children. With her generous nature, Emily would invite every child she met to come see her horse. Each time, Emily gave Gideon a carrot or a piece of apple. Ruth had visions of her losing a finger or two but the horse was as delicate as if he were eating from fine china.
"Gram, if I ask Jesus to save Gramps, He'll do it, won't He?"
Ruth was stumped; she wanted Emily's faith to increase but she knew it might be years before Jack made a decision for Christ.
"Yes, I believe He will but it may be some time before He does," Ruth said cautiously.
"Can we pray for him right now?" Emily asked, starting for the house.
"That's a wonderful idea," Ruth said, taking her by the hand.
Kneeling with Emily by the porch swing, Ruth said a short prayer. She was about to get to her feet when Emily started to pray. Ruth had heard Emily pray at bedtime and meals but her prayer today was different.
"Jesus, I want my Gramps to be saved so he can go to heaven with us. Please save him today. Amen."
Ruth's heart sank. She had prayed for Jack for years and he was still not saved and here Emily had asked the Lord to save him this very day!
Jack walked the rows of tombstones, reading the inscriptions. The stone of his great-grandfather, John Blye, held special interest for him. Perhaps for lack of funds, only the scripture reference was carved on the headstone. Finding it quickly in the Bible he had borrowed from the church, Jack read: "And I heard a voice from heaven saying unto me, write, Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord henceforth: Yea, said the Spirit, that they may rest from their labors: and their works do follow them."
"What will follow me?" Jack wondered out loud. His great-grandfather had died before Jack was born but from the stories he had heard about him, he was convinced John Blye was a man's man.
He had come into this territory when it was nothing more than a wilderness. Working daylight to dark, he built a heritage for his family but Jack could see now that the spiritual heritage he left behind was far greater than any material inheritance. He walked on, crossing the rows of stones to Jim and Kristie's graves.
"Dad, I love you. Turn your life over to Christ. Jim and I will be waiting for you on Heaven's shore," he heard Kristie say as clearly as if she were standing beside him. He remembered the day they dedicated baby Emily to the Lord. He had ranted and raved but in the end, he agreed to attend the service. He did not expect Jim to call him and Ruth to the front. Uncomfortably, he had shifted from one foot to the other as Jim read something about his house serving the Lord.
Going to the back of the church, Jack bent over and touched the spot where Jim and Kristie had breathed their last. Rising, he opened the door and entered the hallway leading to the sanctuary.
Sinking to his knees at the altar, he breathed, "Oh Lord, I've been an old fool. I should have turned my life over to you years ago, Please forgive me."
He covered his face with his hand, the tears running between his fingers and dripping onto the carpet. A great weight lifted off Jack's heart. How long he was there he never knew but finally, he felt a hand on his shoulder and looked up into Barry's concerned face.
"Jack, is there anything I can do?"
A wide grin spreading across his face, Jack leaped to his feet and hugged the younger man. He picked him up and swung him around.
"I'm saved!" he shouted, loud enough that if Barry could have gotten his arms loose, he would have covered his ears.
"I'm saved! Saved! Saved! I've got to tell Emily. I've got to tell Ruth!"
Letting Barry down in mid-swing, he started for the rear of the sanctuary.
"Thank you, thank you!"
Running back up the aisle, he grabbed Barry's hand and shook it vigorously. Barry, head spinning and holding onto a pew for support, barely had time to say 'You're welcome.' before Jack sprinted out the door. Standing on the steps, Barry watched him run down the road and his heart rose in praise to the Lord.
Ruth was in the kitchen, still agonizing over Emily's prayer. How was she going to explain it to her when Jack didn't get saved today? About two o'clock she had put her down for her nap.
"Ruth! Ruth!"
Ruth looked out the kitchen window to see Jack running up the road. In her mind, she saw him coming across the field carrying Rickie's dead body. Not bothering to unlock the screen door, she threw it open, the broken catch flying into the yard to be lost forever in the grass.
Chapter 27
The members of the congregation took their seats that night not knowing the change that had taken place in Jack's heart. When Jack entered with Ruth and Emily in tow, carrying his violin and wearing his dark suit, everyone turned in their direction. The smile on their faces betrayed their secret. After they were seated on the third pew from the front, Ruth reached over and squeezed Jack's hand; he turned and kissed her lightly on the cheek.
After the opening song and prayer, Barry addressed the congregation.
"Brothers and sisters, I'm not going to preach tonight because something wonderful has happened this afternoon. The Lord has answered our prayers in a miraculous way. We have a man in our midst tonight who would like to speak to you. Mr. Johnson." Stepping back from the pulpit, Barry sat down.
Rising to his feet, Jack slowly walked down the center aisle. Mounting the platform, he began to have second thoughts. When he had talked to Barry just before the service, it had seemed like such a good idea but now facing the people he had offended so many times, he wasn't so sure, then he remembered what Barry had asked at Jim and Kristie's funeral.
"Several months ago," he began, his voice shaking, "I sat in this church blaming everyone of you for what had happened to my daughter and son-in-law. I especially blamed God but really, I've been blaming him for years. First for taking my own father when I was eight, then for Rickie, and this last year for Jim and Kristie. I blamed everyone, that is, but myself.
Last week, Emily asked me if I was going to heaven. I did something I never do, I lied to her. Today she asked me if I was saved. Jacob, you know I've always said my word is my bond."
Jacob Turner nodded his head in agreement.
"Well, that lie has bothered me all week so today I told her the truth. I wasn't saved, I wasn't going to heaven. This wonderful little girl started crying," he said, smiling at Emily. "I couldn't stand to see her cry so I came here. I had to get away but I found I couldn't get away from God and His love. Ruth, dear sweet Ruth. I remember the day a few years after we were married when she came home from this church so excited. She had accepted Christ as her Savior. I blew up! But for all these years she hasn't given up on me. She has been quietly living for Him, showing me the love of God, and praying for me every day. Over the years, she has been my best friend, she has always believed in me and stuck by me, never complaining. Oh, she had plenty of reason to, but she never did. I had plans for Kristie, she was going to marry a farmer but God had other plans. When she announced she was going to marry a preacher, I threatened to disown her. But she prayed for me until the day she died. Jim tried many times to speak to me about Christ but each time I shut him off. He never gave up trying and neither did you. At Jim and Kristie's funeral," he said, turning to Barry, "You asked those who had been saved as a result of their ministry to stand. I wasn't able to then but I stand before you today as a testimony to their faith."
The crowd erupted with shouts of "Pr
aise the Lord," "Hallelujah," and "Amen," until it seemed the very rafters shook.
Jack tried to speak again but the lump in his throat and the shouts of the people would not allow him to continue. Instead, he opened his violin case. Then resting it under his chin, he began to play. At the end of the first stanza, the congregation stood and joined in:
Oh, how I love Jesus
Oh, how I love Jesus
Oh, how I love Jesus
Because He first loved me.
Bob Curry pulled his handkerchief from his pants pocket and blew his nose loudly. At the conclusion of the song, Jack replaced his violin in its case then walked down the aisle and took his seat beside Ruth and Emily. Wiping her eyes, Ruth squeezed his hand. Quietly, Barry stood and led in closing prayer.
Monday morning, Jack rose as usual at five o'clock. Dressing quietly, he went down the stairs and out of the house. At Jack's appearance, Gideon whinnied.
"It's gonna be a beautiful day, isn't it, big fella?" he said, patting the horse's neck. Going on, he walked around the bean field, crossed the pasture, and approached the remains of the old oak tree. Sitting down on the massive rotted log, he began to pray.
"Lord, I loved Rickie; he was my pride and joy. But as much as I loved him, I know You loved him more. Thank you for the years we had with him."
Jack sat for a long time lost in thought, his reflections not of anger and resentment, but of thankfulness and joy.
Later that day, Jack went to see Barry.
"Pastor, I would like to do something for the church," he said, sitting down at the kitchen table in the parsonage.
"What you did for them last night was the best thing you could do," Barry said, sipping his coffee.
"Oh, it was wonderful, Mr. Johnson," Norma said, filling Jack's offered cup.
"Thank you. Call me Jack."
"Jack, God has something for each of us to do. Each office is just as important as the other. The janitor is as called of the Lord as the pastor."
"I'll clean the outhouse if that's what he wants," Jack burst out.
Well, Jack the way we do it here is each family of the church takes turns cleaning. We'll put your name on the list if you like."
"Yes, put my name on the list and if somebody can't do it, be sure and let me know. I've wasted fifty-five years and I want to make up for them."
"Those were years of preparation, Jack," Norma said, her eyes glistening. "God was preparing you for this time."
"Amen," Barry said.
****
Ruth felt as if she were living in a dream, a dream for which she had prayed for half her life. Emily took everything in stride.
"I asked Jesus to save him; ain't Jesus grand?" she asked, smiling.
For all their married life, Jack had insisted on being at work at seven whether he was working in the fields with the cattle or repairing equipment. When he rose at five, he would reset the alarm for six fifteen so Ruth could fix breakfast.
Tuesday, Ruth woke with an uncomfortable feeling. Glancing at the clock, she saw to her horror that it was seven thirty. Picking it up, she realized the alarm had never been reset. Throwing on her robe, she hurried downstairs.
Pushing open the screen door, she walked out onto the porch.
"Good morning, sleepy head!" Jack said, grinning as he laid down Ruth's Bible. As he got up, the chair swayed gently.
"Oh, Jack, I'm sorry. The alarm didn't go off."
"Hmm, someone must have forgotten to reset it," Jack teased, taking Ruth in his arms.
"Randy was telling me they have family devotions every morning," Jack said. "I believe we should too."
Ruth's heart filled to capacity; how long she had been praying for this very thing. At that moment, Emily padded out onto the porch in bare feet. Ruth was about to ask where her house slippers were but held her tongue. Still waking up, Emily kissed Ruth and walked over to where Jack was now sitting in his rocking chair. Climbing into his lap, she curled up, pulled her nightgown over her feet, and promptly went back to sleep.
"I'll come for you when breakfast is ready," Ruth whispered.
"Okay," Jack whispered back, stroking Emily's golden hair with a big rough hand.
Later that day. Jack made the announcement that they would be going to Terre Haute.
"I think I've borrowed Bibles long enough," he said.
At the bookstore, Jack purchased not only a Scofield Study Bible but also a set of Matthew Henry Commentaries and a Bible dictionary.
"I want to learn everything I can about the Lord," he told the pleased clerk.
Chapter 28
A hot August sun was beating down when Jack finished the churchyard. As he switched off the lawnmower, Barry called from the back door of the church.
"Jack, come inside where it's cool."
Brushing grass clippings from his clothes, Jack entered Barry's office. Pulling his bandanna from his back pocket, he wiped his face.
"It sure is hot today."
"I can't tell you how much I appreciate the work you have done around here," Barry said, handing Jack a glass of ice water. Jack took a long drink before answering.
"Like I said, I have a lot to make up for."
Barry nervously rubbed his hands together. Clearing his throat, he said, "Jack, you have changed so much. A month ago, I wouldn't have shown you this."
Picking up a letter from his desk, he handed it to him. Unfolding the single sheet of paper, Jack began to read:
'Dear Pastor Wells,
It was a joy to hear of the shower of blessings your church is receiving. I was sharing the news of Mr. Johnson's salvation with the other Christians on the row. I hope someday Mr. and Mrs. Johnson will find it in their hearts to forgive me. I deserve to die for taking the lives I did but their forgiveness would mean so much. Please pray for J.D.'s family. I just heard the chair wasn't connected right and he didn't die right away. His mother fainted and they had to revive her before they tried again. I count myself fortunate that I won't have anyone at my execution. I believe everyone has suffered enough at my hands. Thank you for listening and caring.
God bless you,
Billy Bob
Without a word, Jack handed the letter back to Barry; walking out the door, he passed the lawnmower and disappeared into the woods.
"What have I done?" Barry asked, holding his head in his hand. "I shouldn't have shown him the letter; he's too young in the Lord."
Unknown to Barry, the letter had touched Jack deeply. Every verse of Scripture on forgiveness continually popped into his mind. "But Lord, he doesn't deserve forgiveness," he said in his heart.
"Neither did you," came the reply.
Two hours later, Emily came in.
"Gramps won't talk to me, he's sitting on a log by the pond doing nothing. I asked him to take me for a ride on Gideon and he didn't say nothing, he just set there."
Instructing Emily to stay in the house, Ruth walked to the pond. Easing down beside Jack, she silently waited for him to speak.
Finally he said, "He wants our forgiveness."
"I know."
In answer to Jack's questioning look, she said, "Barry called me."
Jack nodded. "How can we forgive him?" "Only through the Lord," he continued, answering his own question.
"I know you'll do the right thing, dear," Ruth said, patting his hand.
Getting to her feet, she said, "Supper will be ready in about an hour."
When Jack came in forty-five minutes later, Ruth knew the matter had been settled.
"I like Gramps stories a lot better now," Emily said as Ruth was tucking her in that night. "He makes them sound so real."
Coming downstairs, Ruth heard voices in the living room. Not wanting to interrupt, she paused on the last step.
"I wanted to apologize for springing Billy Bob's letter on you. I should have waited," Barry said.
"No, you were right to let me read it. I'm sorry; I shouldn't have walked out on you."
"I understand, it's been v
ery difficult for you and Ruth."
"Billy Bob mentioned he doesn't have any family."
"Yes, I'm afraid it's quite true; that's one reason I try to write him so often."
"I imagine he doesn't get many visitors," Jack said.
"No, he doesn't," Barry answered. "I'll be going to the prison Saturday."
"I'd like to go along," Jack said hesitantly.
"We," Ruth said, taking Jack's hand in hers.
****