Okay, surprise, surprise! This is, by my last count, challenge story #28! I didn't think ya'll had enough reading to do, so I decided to post a challenge story.

I have a little over half written, and yes, I know I told some folks I wouldn't post until I had it all written, especially considering I'm still writing my spring challenge story.

This idea came to me last week and I just can't get it out of my head. Now, this is a different story and I have to warn you, you may not care for it. But, I've had some issues going on in my life recently that have me thinking about this subject matter, and I think this is helping me to resolve these issues. So, here goes. The first part up tonight, really just an introduction. More tomorrow.

Lynn

PS. I just edited this post and changed the name of the pie. I had the fruit names backwards.




Final golden rays of the setting sun, laced with hues of pink and purple, peeked through the window. He spared it only a glance, knowing instinctively that he didn’t have much time. The plan had been set in motion months earlier, every minute detail painstakingly deliberated and carried out with absolute precision. There was no room for error.

He turned to survey the ingredients that had been carefully laid out for assembly. Though he’d committed them to memory months ago, he kept his notes close at hand. An error at this juncture could ruin everything.

The slight tremor in his hand betrayed his inner tension. Odd, really. He was committed to this course of action… had chosen it, had looked forward to this night, to what would happen as the events of his plan unfolded. He had no intention of turning back.

It was time. Taking a deep breath he reached for the first item and carefully began to measure…


Taking the three Rhubarb / Strawberry Pies out of the oven he held each one up to his nose. They all smelled delicious, the top crusts a perfect golden brown. He prayed these would be as good as his mother used to make, when he was a child. He desperately wanted her and his father’s approval of his life, the choices he had made, the woman he had married and the grandchildren he had given them. Grandchildren they had never seen, had refused to see, along with his wife.

They had not approved of his choice of a bride eight years ago, had not attended their wedding. He had been angry about that for a very long time, the anger eating away at his very soul, causing him to regress in his bitterness after Sue had subtlety brought him out of that dark pit of sarcasm where he had hidden for most of his life. Over time, with the help of his dear friends and team mates, Jack, Sue, Bobby, Tara, D, and D’s wife, Donna, he had changed. Even his sister, Anne, who harbored her own demons from their childhood, had prayed for his transformation.

They all had urged him, each in their own way, to overcome the hurtfulness of his parents, to see that, in spite of how Phillip and Elizabeth had treated Lucy, he must forgive them, whether they sought reconciliation with him or not. But, it was his beautiful wife, Lucy, always there by his side, not condemning his parents as he did, constantly praying that God would help him to forgive them. She, in her unconditional love, understood his anger, absorbed his outbursts of bitterness and rage, then comforted him when he was exhausted, spent from the visceral effect of his emotions. After four years of being ministered to and prayed for by his wife, friends and sister, God answered their prayers and brought him to his knees.

His thoughts returned to that Sunday morning, four years ago.

great start, can't wait to read the rest

cath

Oh -- very interesting angle! And I Myles story -- am I in heaven or what?


kav

Oh... Poor Myles.... to have struggled with something of that magnitude for so long...

Glad to hear that he's come to his new path about them... And it just goes to show what a lot of prayer and determination can do, what changes it can bring about in the lives of those that we steadfastly pray for.

Good start.... **taps watch** C'mon now Lynn....

You can Do It!!!!!

Beautiful start Lynn! I'm looking forward to more!

Awesome Lynn...just awesome!!! A Myles story..cool! I can feel the hurt that is experiencing...that was very well written!!!!

I have faith in you Lynn...you can do it!!!!

This sounds wonderful. Please carry on.

Wonderful start, Lynn!! I love a good Myles story!!!

Joy

Thanks for the great comments. Here is the next part! (I had a whole page of comments written, then the internet blinked and I lost them. I didn't follow my own advice, which is to copy them to the clipboard before hitting preview...well, I'm working on only 2.5 hrs sleep. Stayed up and wrote until 5a this morning and then got up at 7a to go pluck the dead marigolds off the plants for my dad. I'm about to fall asleep at the keyboard. Hope you enjoy this post.

Lynn



The day started just like every other Sunday morning for the past three years, since Joseph, their first son arrived, unless they were working on a case. Rising to help Lucy with Joseph and Jacob, giving them baths, feeding them, washing the waffles and syrup off their tiny hands and faces. This was their special time together while Lucy dressed for church. He scrubbed them clean, helped them brush their teeth, actually having to brush Jacob’s as, at one, he was too young to do it by himself.

He loved holding Jacob’s chubby fist, showing him how to fold his fingers to grasp the handle, just as he had done with Joseph. He changed Jacob’s diaper, almost always a poopy one after eating, and made Joseph go to the bathroom. Having finally succeeded at potty training, Joseph was so proud to stand up and go, just like his daddy. They usually got into a tickling frenzy just before he dressed them. Lucy had asked him to do something with them to expend their energy before heading off to church; so, he had come up with the tickling idea.

The boys loved it, screaming in their little high-pitched voices and running around the room as he slowly stalked them. Jacob, having just learned to walk, toddled (that must be why they call them toddlers) across the carpet, legs bowed from the diaper between his legs, trying to keep up with his big brother. His chubby little bottom bounced, first up and down, then sideways, arms flailing thru the air (for balance he supposed) as he moved, creating his own unique style of running.

Joseph, tall and lean like his mother, would run behind the armchair under the windows, calling out for Jacob to hurry over. Then, when imminent capture seemed unavoidable, would scramble under the chair on his belly, crawling out the front side, thinking he was escaping the clutches of the “tickler”, as he had been labeled. Not for the first time, he wondered if he had acted like these little fellas.

Finally, when he thought they had run enough, or their faces were beginning to redden from the physical exertion, he would scoop them up with one hand, holding them both under his arms, football style, and carry their wiggling bodies to Joseph’s bed. Dumping them down he would tickle first one, then the other, not too much, lest they begin to cry; just enough to make them giggle that infectious laughter which always filled his heart with joy. Then, loosening his hold slightly, enough to let their little hands reach out and tickle him, he would laugh and try to run away; but, always just slow enough that they caught him.

After a few minutes of this raucous playtime, he would feign exhaustion and holler, ‘I give, I give.’ Then, lying there on the bed, to calm them down enough to put their clothes on, he would regale them with a watered-down version of their daddy in his job of catching the ‘bad guys’, always ending with some value or truth he wanted them to learn. He loved this special time with them. And Lucy said it seemed to help the boys not fidget so much during worship. He constantly felt guilty about not going with her, to at least help with the boys; but, he just could not bring himself to go to church, until that morning.

Oh, he believed in God and knew he should be going, knew that Lucy prayed for him constantly; but, his anger over the way they had treated Lucy, as well as his guilt over those feelings he had for his parents, kept him from going. He couldn’t bear to go into a house of worship knowing he was filled with such an intense hatred for them. At times he thought he hated them more than the criminals they tracked down and arrested in his job with the F. B. I.

Sometimes the hatred would erupt, like a volcano, vile words spilling out of his mouth, like lava rolling down the mountain side; and, anyone in the way would be incinerated by the intense heat created by his outburst. Then he would hate himself for hurting who ever was around at that moment. More often than not, it was Lucy. How she put up with his behavior he could not fathom. He was scared one day it would happen in front of Joseph and Jacob, or worse yet, directed at them. That, he knew, he could not bear.

He loved his boys with all his heart. He had never liked being around children before, having always considered them to be little miscreants. When he and Lucy had married, he knew she wanted children. He had resigned himself to putting up with the little ‘buggers’, as Bobby liked to call them, in order to please her. He never imagined the depth of love he could feel for these two little offspring who had captured his affections so intensely. It was as though his love for them was a counterbalance to the intense hatred he felt for his parents, keeping him on an even keel.

He refused to name Joseph, who had just turned three the previous week, after himself, not wanting a Myles Leland IV to carry the burden of the family name. He wanted to break the binding chain of the Leland name forever. But, for some reason, he had felt the need to name their first born Phillip, after the generations of Lelands’; but, he refused to call him Phillip. Lucy had suggested Joseph Phillip and they could call him Joseph. He supposed it was out of some hidden deep-seated need that, one day, he would reconcile with his father, which led him to accept that name. When Jacob came along, they had settled on Jacob Samuel Leland.

i feel so sorry for myles, he's so bowed down by his parents

loved watching him play with his children and i'm sure one day he will find forgiveness for them

cath

Powerful start, Lynn

In the end, it's the grandparents who miss out, not the children because they never knew otherwise and someone else will come along in their life to fill the gap left by the grandparents.

Marlene

aww poor myles not getting on with parents must nbe hard but at least his little ones wont have to know that

Not getting along with his parents seems to have made Myles strive to be a good father!! I love their playtime - I can just see the little boys running from Myles and I can hear their laughter!!!

Joy

I can see Myles' pride in his children! But I'm at his parents for putting such a burden on that little family because of their prejudice. I guess I need to got to church with Lucy too, huh? And Marlene's right, it's the grandparents that are missing out and I think the team has likely become their extended family.

kav

Poor Myles. I'm glad he has Lucy and their two little ones to show him what a family can really be like.

This part was just so heart-warming.

What a grand job of showing the struggle that Myles is going through. You easily had me picture him playing with his children. It sounds like he might be joining them for church.

I loved how you showed us where Myles is now emotionally. His playfullness with the children was a great way to demonstrate how much he's changed and not going with Lucy to church showed us how far he has yet to go.

Thanks for the comments. I have now almost reached the 5,500 mark and am about 95% complete. It’s hopeless, I cannot write a short story! I’ve decided not to worry about it, I’m just going to write until I have said all that I want to say, rather than try and suppress these thoughts or go back and try to delete some. I’ll be posting throughout today as soon as I am satisfied with each part. Thanks again for reading.

Lynn

[PS. Oh, the angst {she laments while posting}. I don't have time for this!

I can't get the voice of God to work with smaller text, so I'm going to have to put it in a different color. I guess I'll use purple.

I also can't get the song to single space and the italics code to disappear. I'm going to post this and then try and do the Quick Edit to see if I can at least get rid of the Italics code.

I know I've seen others single space song lyrics. If anyone knows how to do that, please PM me. It just doesn't look right with all that space between each line within the stanzas. Thanks.]



During the worship service that Sunday morning, what seemed now so long ago, he felt a longing for his childhood, so strong it was almost palpable. During the final hymn, a peace settled over him, one he had not felt in a long time. He joined the congregation in singing one of his favorite hymns as a child, remembering how he had belted it out when the children’s choir sang it during a revival meeting one Sunday evening. As a child of eight, he had felt the call and had gone to the alter; but, sometime in his teen years, he had become disillusioned and wandered away, been caught up in the ways of this World, instead of focusing on the eternal world.

Once, at Harvard, he had almost come back to God when he was dating a fellow student who asked him to go with her to church. This hymn had been sung at one of the worship services he had attended with her and he felt the pull, the longing; but, he was too embarrassed to go forward, and did not act on those feelings. Later, he had researched the song and discovered the beautiful words had been written in February 1874 by Frances Ridley Havergal (1). The tune was one of several that had been composed over the years.

On this Sunday morning, the version sung was the one he had memorized as a young boy; and, by that very nature, was his favorite. His voice now resonated as he sang the beautiful words, recreating those memories, and a sense of urgency enveloped him.

Take my life, and let it be

Consecrated, Lord, to Thee.

Take my moments and my days;

Let them flow in ceaseless praise.

Let them flow in ceaseless praise.

He could still remember the quiet whisper, as though God were standing behind him, hand on his shoulder, leaning into his ear. ’Myles, it's time...time to let go, my son.'’

Take my hands, and let them move

At the impulse of Thy love.

Take my feet, and let them be

Swift and beautiful for Thee.

Swift and beautiful for Thee.

’I love you. I have always loved you.'’

Take my voice, and let me sing

Always, only, for my King.

Take my lips, and let them be

Filled with messages from Thee.

Filled with messages from Thee.

[i]I have given you time enough to set your goals, create your own life; but, Myles, the plans I have for you are greater than you could ever imagine.'’[/i]

Take my silver and my gold;

Not a mite would I withhold.

Take my intellect, and use

Every power as Thou shalt choose.

Every power as Thou shalt choose.

’To fulfill those plans you must go to the alter and give your life to me.’

Take my will, and make it Thine;

It shall be no longer mine.

Take my heart, it is Thine own;

It shall be Thy royal throne.

It shall be Thy royal throne.

[i]’Let me take this heavy burden from your shoulders. Give me the hatred, the rage, the guilt; let me carry it for you.'’

[/i]Take my love, my Lord, I pour

At Thy feet its treasure store.

Take myself, and I will be

Ever, only, all for Thee.

Ever, only, all for Thee.

[i]’I love you, Myles. Go. Now!'

[/i]Myles had stumbled over the other people in the pew row and raced down to the alter, kneeling, weeping shamelessly, asking God for forgiveness and to take away his bitterness, his hatred, his outbursts of rage, his guilt. He felt the hand of God again on his shoulder and a great weight being lifted from his back. [i]’I love you, Myles. I have cleansed you of your sins and burdens. Go and preach my gospel to those in need of my Word.'

[/i]**********

When Myles’ foot stepped on hers in his race to go down the aisle, Lucy’s eyes filled with tears of joy. Holding Jacob, she looked upwards. Thank you, Lord. Then dumping Jacob into Jack’s arms as she moved out of the pew, she was moving down the aisle to take her place beside her husband. The associate pastor, Marlene Jenkins, hugged Lucy as she arrived at the alter, then guided her over to Myles and senior pastor, David Ross, who was now praying over Myles.

Lucy knelt beside Myles, taking his hand and squeezing, rejoicing in his repentance and acceptance of the Lord’s calling, thanking God for answering her prayers. When the pastor finished praying, Myles and Lucy stood up and found their friends, Anne with her husband, and all their children standing behind them, waiting to surround Myles and Lucy to rejoice in his commitment.

The pastor guided Myles and Lucy over to the center aisle, their friends and family parting then coming together to stand beside and behind them. Little Jacob reached out to his daddy who took him willingly from Jack. Joseph, looking up at his father and in his big boy voice, boomed out, “Why were you crying daddy?” which elicited laughter from the congregation. The pastor looked out at the congregation as they laughed and said, “Yes, let us be joyful unto the Lord!” as he, himself, chuckled.

Attempting to keep a straight face, Lucy leaned down and whispered in Joseph’s ear. “Those are tears of joy because God talked to daddy just now. We’ll talk about what God told daddy after church. Right now, Pastor Ross is going to say a few words, so we need to listen to him, okay?” She smiled lovingly at Joseph who shook his head and put his fingers up to his lips, mimicking his mom when she wants him to be quiet. Lucy’s eyes once again mist over with tears at the joy she feels.

Waiting for the interchange between mother and son to conclude, Pastor Ross again faces the congregation, and speaks. “We rejoice today in the confession of faith by Myles Leland.” Turning to face Myles and Lucy, he administers to Myles the rituals of re-affirmation of faith and joining the church before closing the service with a benediction. Afterwards, with friends and family surrounding him, Myles, greets the congregation as they leave the sanctuary, many shaking his hands or giving him a hug as they welcome him into the body of Christ.




(1) Author’s Notes:

Words to the hymn, Take My Life, and Let It Be were written by Frances Ridley Havergal, February 1874. Although there is no reference to a specific scripture used as the basis for this hymn on the website referenced below, the United Methodist hymnal lists Romans 12:1, “Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God—this is your spiritual act of worship.”

The following excerpt, from the Havergal Manuscripts, is provided on the creation of this hymn:

I went for a little visit of five days (to Areley House). There were ten persons in the house, some unconverted and long prayed for, some converted, but not rejoicing Christians. He gave me the prayer, “Lord, give me all in this house!” And He just did. Before I left the house every one had got a blessing. The last night of my visit after I had retired, the governess asked me to go to the two daughters. They were crying, &c., then and there both of them trusted and rejoiced, it was nearly midnight. I was too happy to sleep, and passed most of the night in praise and renewal of my own consecration; and these little couplets formed themselves, and chimed in my heart one after another till they finished with “Ever, Only ALL for Thee!”

The music arrangement referenced in the story was the one I learned growing up, Hendon, composed by Henri A. C. Malan in 1827 with harmony added in 1841 by Lowell Mason.

Although I am Methodist and have used that as the basis for the verbage and rituals described, I have taken liberty and written them from my recollections and observations throughout the years.

Lynn

Lynn:

This is a very powerful and heartwarming story. You have portrayed the emotions and the anguish that Myles is feeling so vividly. Your talent amazes me!

I agree 100%. Great job with that post Lynn!

Well, my PC locks up when I try to do a Quick Edit, I suppose b/c I'm on a slow 56k modem, running at 45.2k; so, I'm going to have to give it up and move on. In proofing one last time after posting, I did find where I had left the e out of Thine in the lyrics and left out the word 'what' in the third sentence of the next to last story paragraph. When I corrected the latter omission, I changed the wording a mite to make it more understandable to a three year old child's mind.

Thanks for reading.

Lynn

i love that hymn and an fyi, she was born near where i live

beautiful post, lyn

cath

Cath

That has been one of my all time favorite hymns too. I was actually going to use another hymn and then when I got to that point in the story, this one just popped into my head; so, I knew I had to use it. I can't even remember the original song I was going to use.

How exciting that she was born near you. I've always wanted to go to England, ever since I began reading Agatha Christie novels, years and years ago. Maybe I'll get there some day. I would love to see where Ms. Havergal was born and maybe we could get together too; you could give me some pointers on where I should spend my time sightseeing.

Did you know she wrote 80 hymns? When I have the time I'm going to research them and see if any of her others are favorites of mine. It was very interesting researching the music on the web. I'm going to do some more exploring, now that I've got my feet wet.

Take care,

Lynn

Myles is going to feel so much better without that weight hanging over him!

kav

Very uplifting and beautiful post, Lynn!!!

Joy

Amazing. Very powerful and well-written !

Powerfully writtten and encouraging post. I love the hymn you chose. It is one of my favorites. I also love the history of hymns. I find it fascinating.

Thank you all for your wonderful comments. I am so glad you are enjoying this story. I am having a ball writing! Still plodding, but I promise to have it completed by midnight!

Lynn

PS. For some unknown reason, the size and font has changed on one paragraph. I don't have time to try and fix it now. I'll come back tomorrow and work on it.



“Hi honey. How did the pies turn out?”

Disturbed from his reverie, Lucy’s dazzling smile warms his heart. He reaches around her swollen belly to pull her into his arms, pressing a tender kiss on her forehead, then gently rubbing her tummy, leaning down to kiss their unborn child. Smiling, “Well, they smell good and look perfect. We shall see if they work wonders like my grandmother used to tell me. Are the kids asleep?

“Yes, Jacob was out like a light. Joseph took longer, as usual, wanting a drink, having to go potty…bla..bla…bla! This last time it was because he wanted to ‘give his mommy and baby sister a kiss’.” She laughs, shaking in his arms, and begins to relay the story to him.

“Joseph climbed up on the couch, all serious like, and just sat there, hands on his knees, like you do sometimes. When he didn’t say anything, I looked down at him and raised one eyebrow, questioningly.”

“Hmmmm, like you do to me on occasion.” He gives her a teasing kiss on the lips.

“Hey, fella, not so fast,” and she reaches up to run her fingers through the hair on the back of his head, pulling him down for a passion filled kiss. Breaking apart a few minutes later, she smiles smugly. “That’s just to let you know that I haven’t lost any of my desires just because I’m eight months pregnant.”

“And my love for you seems to grow stronger with each pregnancy, Lucy,” he whispers huskily. “Now, are you going to tell me how this little confrontation with our son played out; or, are you going to leave me guessing?”

“Oh, I guess I forgot all about the story. I wonder why,” she asks in a sultry voice.

“Lucy Leland, if you don’t stop enticing me, I’m going to send you off to bed before our friends arrive, so as not to embarrass me.”

“Yeah, right, as if you could ever be embarrassed, Myles Leland III.” As soon as it was out, she regretted it. He stepped back, arms dropping to his sides leaving cold air to engulf her where there had been warmth. “Oh, I’m so sorry sweetheart, I didn’t mean that.” Why did I have to spoil this playful time together by using that name? He had come so far these past four years, in forgiving his parents; but, he still did not want ‘the third’ tacked onto his name.

Taking her back into his arms, he gives her a smile, albeit a weak one, but still a smile. Tenderly touching her cheek with his palm, “It’s alright, Lucy. Although I may not like the connotation it brings, because of the bad memories, it is who I am; and, I know I can’t run away from it forever. Now seems like the time to accept that, once and for all, don’t you think?”

Her eyes fill with tears as love for him overflows down her cheeks. He pulls her to him, licking the salty tears away, caressing her back. Looking into her eyes, “I love you Lucy Leland, wife of Myles Leland III, and I shall love you always. He presses her head against his chest.

She leans into him, awkwardly arching her back due to her swollen midsection, and gives him a squeeze. “I’ll sure be glad when this daughter of yours decides to make an appearance and I can lean against you without feeling like one of those weighted punching balloons the boys have.”

He throws his head back and laughs uproariously until tears are streaming down his face. “Now, that’s quite a picture you’ve painted for me, sweetheart! I’m not sure I’ll ever be able to look at those balloons again, without conjuring your beautiful face superimposed over those balloon faces. His laughter subsiding, looking into her eyes again, “You are the most beautiful, amazing woman in the world to me, Lucy, both internally as well as externally, even when your heavy with child. In fact, I think you are more beautiful this way,” placing his hands on her tummy, “then any other time.”

Don’t you try to sweet talk me, Myles. You may say one thing but your actions just said another; laughing at me like that!” She feigns a pout, but stays wrapped in the comfort of his arms.

“What can I do to make it up to you, dear, become your manservant again, like I did when you conned me into believing I had revealed some ‘deep dark secrets’ under the dentist’s anesthesia?”

No longer able to suppress her laughter at the memory of how she had snookered him during the Hackford kidnapping case, she steps back, takes his hand and leads him out of the kitchen into the family room, laughing all the way. Going directly to their special ‘preggy’ couch, as Joseph calls it, she shoves Myles down on it and slowly lumbers around until she has her back to him. Waiting until she feels his hands against her back for support, she maneuvers herself down onto his lap, then shifts her body until she is comfortably ensconced sideways. She raises her long legs and extends them down the couch, taking note of the uncomfortable swelling in her ankles and feet.

“You do know that when the doorbell rings it’s gonna take us forever to answer it, don’t you?” Myles says as Lucy leans back and he begins to rub her tummy.

“I know; but, I needed to get off my feet and this is just about the next best thing to you-know-what, sitting on this sofa with you holding me,” she says dreamily.

“Oh no you don’t. You’re going to finish that story about Joseph you seem to have forgotten all about.”

“Well, only because you distracted me! Lucy exclaims. “Like this!” but she is leaning too far back to sit up with any speed to kiss him. Instead, she begins to gently massage his firm chest. He sighs, that ‘I-give-up-----don’t-you-ever-tire-of-teasing-me-woman?’ sigh, and she says, “Oh, alright, push!”

He places his hand firmly on her back, pushing her into a straight up and down sitting position, then gently slides her off his lap onto the firm-backed sofa. Giving her another quick kiss, “Okay, let’s hear ‘the rest of the story’ as Paul Harvey would say.

“Well, let me see, where was I?”

“Joseph is on the couch, sitting just like me and you cock your eyebrow at him because he isn’t saying anything.”

“Oh, yes. Well, when I….” looking at Myles she gives him her best imitation-of-him look’ “….‘cocked’ my eyebrow at Joseph, he looked up at me and just smiled, still not saying anything. It wasn’t a devilish smile, like he usually gives me, followed by giggles; but, an endearing one, again, similar to yours when in one of your….ah….affectionate moods instead of a….well, a more passionate mood. Suddenly, it hit me; he really was imitating you, and I knew exactly what he wanted.”

“I decided to play along and asked him in as sugary sweet voice as I could muster, ‘What do you want, sweetheart?’ That was all the prompting he needed. He leaned his little chin over, resting it on my arm, looking up with those baby blues of his and said ‘Can I say good night to sister?’ It was all I could do to keep a straight face. He mimicked you perfectly. Of course, I told him ‘yes’ and he beamed so proudly I thought my heart would jump right out of my chest.”

“He reached over and rubbed my tummy, just like you,” bobbing her head as she repeated that phrase yet again. “Leaning down, he placed a kiss on me; then, in that adorable high-pitched sing-songy voice, he proceeded to sing Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star, Rock-A-Bye Baby and I Gave My Love A Cherry, just like I sing those three songs when tucking them into bed.” Tears begin to pool in her eyes, the sweet memory touching her again as it had the first time.

Myles reaches over to grab a Kleenex from the box on the end table, one of the many boxes kept in every room in the house for just such an outpouring of emotions during her pregnancy. After dabbing her eyes and blowing her nose, she continues. “After he finishes singing I Gave My Love A Cherry, he looks up and says, ‘Okay, I can go to sleep now, just like sister.’ Then he climbs down off the sofa and paddles out of the room, back to his bed. I just sit there and bawl. It was so sweet.” The tears start again and Myles repeats the earlier action, this time, taking her in his arms, hugging her close, stroking her and telling her what she means to him, how much he loves her, reveling in the unconditional love he feels for his wife and children, saying a small prayer of thanksgiving.

**********

Sometime later, the incessant ring of the doorbell disturbs the couple relishing the solitude and being held by each other. “That will be Jack and Sue. They are always the first to arrive.” Myles mumbles to himself, moving Lucy out of his arms and leaning her against the end of the couch. Having fallen asleep, she barely wakes, then nestles her head into the soft corner of the high back and side arm. Moving to the front door he opens it to welcome….”Bobby, Tara!” he exclaims in surprise, giving Tara a hug as they enter the hall. “You’re early, for a change.”

“Yeah, well, the twins went down without the usual bedtime delays, for a change.” Bobby relays.

Myles takes their coats, hanging them in the closet. “Lucy’s asleep in the family room; but, it’s alright to wake her. We were just having some quiet time after she put the boys down.”

“How’s the swelling in her legs?” Tara asks.

“She’s doing okay, trying to stay off her feet as much as she can.”

“I bet you’ll be glad when she delivers, won’t you drongo!” Bobby slaps Myles on the back in a brotherly fashion. “I know I certainly was.”

“Well, that’s just because you wanted some sex, Mr. Manning,” Tara teases her husband.

“It seems to me you weren’t so hesitant in that area either, Mrs. Manning,” Bobby dishes it right back to her.

The doorbell rings again and Myles opens it to Jack and Sue, as well as D and Donna. “Come in, come in, one and all. The party is just beginning.” Hugs and handshakes make their rounds among this tight knit group of friends. Even though they had seen each other just a few hours ago at work, over the years they had become as close as family; and, outside of work, were as demonstrative as any large jovial family in showing their affections toward each other. They were all there to party for a few hours, to show support for their friend who was about to confront his parents for the first time in eight years. Each wanted him to know they would stand by him 100% and that he could lean on them if needed.

“I appreciate you all coming over this evening. I know it’s been a pretty rough week.” Myles said, referring to the particularly devastating case they had solved on Wednesday, a case involving the kidnapping of a child. They had not been able to find the child in time, one of their few failures as a team; and, it had stunned and grieved them all greatly, especially Sue, Lucy and Tara. The little girl was six; and, they all had a child the same age, or thereabouts.

Myles’ and Lucy’s boys, Joseph and Jacob were now seven and five, Bobby and Tara’s twins, James Michael and Laura Leigh were six; Jack and Sue’s daughter, Jennifer Lynn was six and their son, Benjamin Paul was three. Sue, also expecting a daughter, was six months along. When Sue and Lucy had become pregnant within two months of each other, they had jokingly told Tara she needed to work on their third one too, so they would all be the same age.

Tara had said no way at the time; but, unbeknownst to their friends for she had not shared the news yet, somehow it had happened, and she was two months along. She would have to tell them soon, as she had calculated morning sickness would begin within the next week or so, as it had with the twins. She still was not quite sure how or when it had happened, since they were practicing birth control; but, it was a done deal.

At first, when she suspected she might be pregnant, she had prayed it would not be another set of twins. James and Laura kept her on her tippy toes all the time and she didn’t know if she could handle another set, especially now that they were in school all day. She had just become comfortable with continuing to work, having felt guilty about it from the first day she had put them into day care at the age of three months. But then, she kept reminding herself, God never gives us any more than we can handle. So, she no longer prayed for a single child, only that it, or them, would be healthy. She had only told Bobby last week, before all this business with the kidnapped little girl. He was ecstatic, looking forward to having another little aussie to play with.

By today, the shock of the kidnapping and murder had dulled somewhat and they were each looking forward to a change of pace for the weekend, praying that Myles’ plan he had put in place months ago to assure his parents came down to D. C. this weekend came to fruition.

Leading them all into the family room, situating themselves in the various overstuffed chairs, they sat and talked in quiet tones, each not wanting to disturb Lucy.

Myles, when is the next Epiphany weekend? Jack asked.

“Three weeks. You’ll still be able to swing that weekend off if Lucy’s having the baby right?”

Myles was concerned he would have to cancel the upcoming restorative justice ministry weekend planned for the week before Lucy’s due date. Within the first three months of his confession of faith four years ago, the Epiphany ministry team had asked for volunteers to join them in their outreach to young juvenile offenders in the county detention facility. He had gone to the meeting out of curiosity.

Upon hearing how the team worked to offer “incarcerated youth an opportunity to change their lives and value system by introducing them to Jesus Christ” (2) thru a weekend ministry program, he knew God had brought him to the meeting with one purpose in mind. This was God’s plan for his life. He understood the inner workings of the justice system and he now understood the message of God’s love, grace and forgiveness. By combining his knowledge of those he knew God would use him as a catalyst to change the lives of some of these broken and lost youth.

He had talked it over with Lucy and they prayed about it together. He spoke with Pastor Ross who counseled him in the direction he should focus to prepare himself for this ministry. He had immediately joined a small group Bible study to equip himself with the Word of God. Toward the end of the first year he had participated in the men’s Walk to Emmaus, a weekend of spiritual renewal. (3)

Lucy had already gone on the women’s Walk to Emmaus a couple of years before and rejoiced when he was finally ready, spiritually, to make that commitment. Soon after he had joined the Epiphany ministry team and now regularly witnessed to the young juveniles. He considered himself to be blessed to meet these young men, most of whom were hungry to learn about Jesus.

Then, two years ago, Pastor Ross had approached him about becoming a lay leader in the church. A lay leader must go through some of the same seminary courses as those of pastors. Pastor had warned him that some lay leaders go on to become pastors. ‘Most don’t, but some do’ were his exact words. He had asked Myles to think about it, which he did, again talking it over with Lucy and his friends / co-workers. To go through the studies would require some shifting of his work schedule and he would have to clear it with their supervisor, Ted Garrett.

But, he did not think that would be a problem. If God wanted him to become a lay leader, then God would provide a way. And it seemed that was what God wanted, because doors were opened, opportunities arose to fulfill the required studies. Lucy helped to organize their lives and his studies, typing his papers for him, all the while bearing the brunt of rearing their two boys. Now, this weekend, he was to be ordained as a lay leader. And it was time….time to reach out to his parents, to tell them he has forgiven them for the past hurts, and ask them to reach out to him, to Lucy, to their boys and to their unborn daughter.

Author’s Notes:

The mission of Epiphany Ministries is to offer to incarcerated youth an opportunity to change their lives and value system by introducing them to Jesus Christ. Epiphany seeks to meet the basic need of the “Stars” to feel that their lives are worthwhile because of God’s endless love for them.

Epiphany Ministry is a short three-day course in Christianity that brings to incarcerated juveniles the message of God’s love, grace, and forgiveness. It is an ecumenical Christian Ministry for young people who are in custody. Epiphany is modeled after similar weekend ministries such as Cursillo, Walk to Emmaus, Tres Dias, and Chrysalis weekends.

The first Epiphany was held in Texas in 1995 at the Clemens Unit in Brazoria, a maximum-security unit of the Texas Department of Criminal Justice housing juveniles that have been certified and tried as adults. In addition to the Clemens Unit, Epiphany now holds weekends at the Gainesville School, the Bill Clayton Correctional Center in Littlefield, the Hamilton unit in Bryan, the McClennan County Correctional Facility in Mart, and we are growing.

Approximately fifty volunteers are needed to successfully conduct a weekend. The volunteers must have attended a three-day weekend such as Emmaus, Chrysalis, Cursillo. Tres Dias, etc. These volunteers are divided into two teams; an “outside team” to cook meals, and an “inside team” goes into the facility for eleven hours each day to minister to approximately 30–40 youth. The youth participating in the weekend are called “Stars”. Family groups consisting of a spiritual director, one table leader, an assistant table leader, and five stars are placed together for the duration of the weekend.

The most important participants in the weekend are the prayer warriors who are constantly in prayer 24 hours a day. People from all over the world take part in the chain that serves as a visible sign of God’s love for the “Stars”


The Walk to Emmaus is an adaptation of the Roman Catholic Cursillo (pronounced cur-SEE-o) Movement, which originated in Spain in 1949. Cursillo de Cristianidad means "little course in Christianity." The original Cursillo leaders designed the program to empower persons to transform their living and working environments into Christian environments. During the 1960s and 1970s, the Episcopalians and Lutherans, along with several nondenominational groups, such as Tres Dias, began to offer Cursillo. In 1978, The Upper Room of the General Board of Discipleship adapted the program for a primarily Protestant audience and began to offer it under the name The Upper Room Cursillo. In 1981, The Upper Room made further adaptations and changed the name of the program to The Upper Room Walk to Emmaus. In 1984, The Upper Room developed a youth expression of Emmaus called Chrysalis.

Lynn

Beautiful moments between Myles and Lucy.

Myles and Lucy have such a wonderful family, and will now soon have a little girl!! She will probably wrap Myles around her little finger!!!

Thank you, Lynn, for the information on the ministry. What a wonderful program for our misled youths.

Joy

Here is next to the last post. Getting down to the wire.

Lynn


I’m about to head off to bed. Are you coming?” She smiles slyly.

“I’ll be up in a few minutes. I just want to put a few finishing touches on my speech for tomorrow.” After Lucy woke up, they had spent a relaxing evening playing pictionary with their friends and team mates.

“Alright. Don’t be too long. It’s cold in bed without you.” She stands on her toes and gives him a passionate kiss.

He returns the kiss with a fervor of his own, gasping breathlessly as he pulls away. “Have I told you lately that I love you Mrs. Leland, with all my heart and soul?”

“Hmmm,” Lucy whispers as she nibbles on his ear. “I think that’s how I got in this condition, Mr. Leland.” She snuggles her head under his chin and listens contentedly to his heart beat for a minute, then gives him a quick kiss and waddles out the door.

He watches as Lucy sways her hips in that special way of a woman eight months pregnant. God, I love her; she is the other half of my soul. He again ponders his life, marveling at how peaceful and serene these past four years have been.


Lucy had not let the rejection of his parents change her in any way. She was still the same beautiful, intelligent, graceful, loving and forgiving woman she had been before they married. She remained faithful in her belief that God, after healing him, would, in His time, heal Phillip and Elizabeth and remained steadfast in her unconditional love and prayers for them.

Lucy prayed for his parents every morning and evening. She had taught him to pray for them. She taught their children to pray for them. Ah, at the thought of his three children, his heart surged with love for them and their mother. They were the delight and joy of his life. Even this unborn child, the daughter they had prayed for, that she bore heavily, was a source of great felicity.

Satisfied the pies would pass muster with his mother, he carried them to the sideboard in the formal dining room. He did not know if his painstaking plans to get them here would work; but, he was trusting in the Lord that a miracle would happen. After all, God had used the miracle of Sue, his friends, Anne, and most of all, his wife, to bring him this far and now he was committed to a course of action he had embarked upon two years ago. Where had the time gone?


The next morning, Anne races out the door, her six year old daughter, Millie, in tow. “C’mom, sweetie, we have to hurry; else, we’ll be late to pick up your grandparents.”

“Mommy, do I have to go? They’re so stuffy.”

“Millicent Rebecca Latham, that was not a nice thing to say.”

“Well, it’s true, mommy.”

Opening the door of the car, “Honey, remember what mommy and daddy have told you. If you can’t say something nice about someone, don’t say anything at all.” She helps Millie buckle her seat belt.

“But, mommy, you said I could tell you anything. So, I’m telling you what I feel.”

Why does parenting seem so hard at times? Looking her daughter in the eyes, “Okay, honey, you are absolutely right. I did tell you that and I always want you to be able to tell me how you feel. But, now is not the time, because the pilot of the airplane doesn’t know that we need to talk. And he is going to land the plane in a few minutes and then grandmother and grandfather will feel sad that we aren’t there to meet them. Even if you feel they are stuffy, do you want them to feel sad?”

“Well, no, I guess not.”

“Good.”


Waving at her parents with one hand, practically dragging a reluctant Millie with the other, she shouts over the noise of the crowded airport. Coming up to them, she hugs her mother, then father. “Hi mother, father. How was your flight?” A nice safe conversation starter.

“Well, you know dear, those stewardesses just weren’t as friendly as they used to be.” She looks down at Millie. “Well, well, you must be Millie. My how you’ve grown. How old are you now, dear?” Without waiting for an answer, she turns to Anne and asks, “How long has it been, Anne, since we saw Millie?”

“Flight attendants, mother. They’re called flight attendents. And it has been two years now, since we last visited you in Boston.” Turning to address her paternal parent, “Father, how are you? How is your golf game?”

“Just fine, Anne, just fine.” He stoops down to Millie’s level and pulls her into his arms for a big hug. Millie tries to resist and, looking up at her mother, rolls her eyes.

Seeing disaster on the horizon, Anne quickly takes Millie’s hand and begins to steer her parents toward the escalator. “I think we should get your bags and get out of this crowded airport. Don’t you?”

“What time is the ceremony tomorrow, Anne? We have an evening flight back to Boston at 7:00 P.M. and I hope we won’t be rushed getting back to the airport.” Her mother fidgets in her handbag, looking for something, finally pulling out the reservation confirmation from the airlines. Reading it, “Yes, 7:00 P. M.”

“It’s at 2:00 P.M. mother and should be over by 3:30 P. M.” Lord, help me to have patience for this woman I call mother.

The drive to Anne’s home is filled with her mother’s stories of the country club parties, the upcoming debutant ball, of which she is a committee member, and other galas in the Boston area. Anne has the beginnings of a headache by the time they arrive home.


Myles, hearing the doorbell ring, follows Jacob as he races to the door. He has it open by the time Myles arrives, already leading his two friends off to his bedroom to play with an assortment of toys. “Bobby, Tara, c’mon in. You’re the last ones here. Hi James, hi Laura,” he greets the twins as they whiz by him, following Jacob. “James and Laura get taller every time I see them,” Myles observes. Being a year older than Jacob, he idolizes them. They're best buds, along with Jack and Sue’s daughter, Jennifer.

Myles leads Bobby and Tara to the spacious family room where Jack, Sue, D and Donna are enjoying a lively conversation on the virtues of kids living at home to go to college versus going away. D laments, “Tanya will be getting her master”s degree in forensic criminal law and has already been accepted on the D.C. police force, thanks to a few strings pulled by Diana Grove.”

“I think she earned that position all by herself,” Jack states. “She only has to work three years and will then be eligible to join the F. B. I., ‘dad’!”

“Yes, I pity the poor team leader who gets to train her.” Myles laughs.

Lucy comes waddling into the room with Jack and Sue’s youngest offspring in tow, Benjamin Paul Hudson. “Well, we went potty in the toilet, mommy and daddy!” Lucy exclaims. Everyone congratulates little Ben and claps as he runs, beaming, to Jack and climbs in his lap. He is a shy boy and hides his face in Jack’s shoulder.

Sue leans down and whispers, also signing, “That’s great, Ben,” giving him a kiss on the head. Ben reaches up and puts his chubby arms around Sue’s neck and tries to climb on her lap.

“Hey buddy, be careful. Remember, your little sister is in mommy’s tummy.” Ben leans down to place his head on Sue’s stomach, causing chuckles to rumble thru the room.

“What’s Davey up to Donna, now that he has graduated?” Bobby asks.

“Oh, I forgot to mention that he got a coaching job at Centerville High. Of course, he has to teach history too, since that was his minor. Centerville was the only school district which offered the coaching job plus history. The other schools he applied to were looking for someone with either math or science.”

“Hey, that’s just down the road a few miles. I bet your glad he’s close by,” Tara smiles.

“Well, that’s a double edged sword.” D laughs. “He’s living at home until he and Cindy get married. They’ve set the date for November 17.”

“Oh, a wedding! If you need any help, Donna, I’ll be glad to volunteer,” Sue speaks up.

“Me too,” from both Lucy and Tara at the same time.

“Thanks, but I don’t think I’ll have too much to do, other than provide the invitation list for our side of the family, the grooms cake and the rehearsal dinner.

The talk of family continues between these long time coworkers turned friends for a few minutes more and then silence settles over the room. Jack is the first to speak in a gentle voice. “Are you ready, Myles?”

“Yes, I’m as ready as I’ll ever be. Just waiting for the phone call from Anne.”

“It’s been a long time coming, Myles,” Bobby interjects. “You know we’re gonna be right there for you.

“Yes, he knows,” Lucy states, as Myles looks down. Just then the phone rings and Lucy rises to answer. “Hello…Hi Anne….yes, we’re ready. We’ll be there in 20 minutes…..Okay. See you then.” She turns around, hanging up the phone, and walks over to Myles. Picking up his hands, she kisses them tenderly, then brushes his face with her hand. “Shall we go honey?”

Here it is, the long awaited last post. Let’s hope I can get it proofed without any internet blinks. Oh, and so much for a short story. Have a total of just over 10,000 words.

Lynn


Elizabeth, having settled in the guest room, meanders down to Millie’s bedroom and knocks on the door.

“C’min” Millie hollers.

Elizabeth enters and sees Millie on the floor playing with her doll house. “Oh, my, that is a beautiful doll house, Millie. So exquisite.”

“What does quizit mean?” Millie asks in a tiny voice.

“It’s x-quiz-it, Millie, and it means very beautiful.

“Then why didn’t you just say ‘very beautiful’ grandma?”

Elizabeth cringes at the word ‘grandma’. “Call me grandmother, dear.”

“Uncle Myles made it for me.” She doesn’t see Elizabeth flinch at the name of her only son. “He doesn’t have any little girls, so he said I was like his little girl and he made it for me for Christmas when I was four. That was two years ago because I’m six now.”

“That’s nice, dear. I must be going, Millie. I’ll see you later.” She scurries out of the room and runs into Anne. Turning red, she lashes out at her daughter, “I thought you didn’t associate with…Myles!”

“Why don’t we go downstairs to the den, mother. There is something I need to tell you and daddy.”

“Is it about Myles?”

“No, it’s not about Myles, mother.”

“Alright then, let’s get your father. I left him resting in our room.” They walk to the guest room and collect her father, then Anne leads them downstairs. She opens the door and ushers them into the room, then backs out and closes the door behind her.

“What?” I thought she wanted to talk to us,” Phillip said.

“That’s what she said,” Elizabeth spoke.

“Actually, it was I who wanted to talk with you.” Myles rises from the swivel desk chair where he had been sitting, out of site from anyone entering the room. His parents both have shocked looks on their faces. “I know it’s been eight years since we’ve seen each other; but, I don’t think I’ve really changed all that much.”

“I want to leave Phillip,” Elizabeth entreats her husband.

“NO,” Myles says. “You are going to hear me out, mother.” In a softer, gentler tone, he continues. “Here,” pointing to the couch in front of the bay window. “Sit down, mother, father.”

They sit back down. Myles pulls a chair up to sit across from them. Looking down at the floor, forearms on his thighs, hands clasped, he is quiet for a minute. Finally, Elizabeth realizes he is praying and a tiny crack appears in the ice wall she has built around herself and Phillip.

He straightens up and looks at his father. He has aged considerably in eight years. The hair is grayer, brow wrinkled. His mother’s aging has been delicately hidden with makeup, but it is still there. The only thing missing from their faces are laugh lines. He wonders if that is the toll their disownment of him for the past eight years has taken. He is consumed with love for them, for the sadness of the life they have chosen. And thankful to God that he had been rescued from that fate. In a soft voice, Myles begins to tell them what he has been wanting, craving to say for four years.

“Mother, father, all my life I tried to life up to your expectations. So much so, that when Anne came along and you pitted her and I against each other for your affections, we blindly followed where you led.”

Turning red and rising as if to leave, his mother said, “I will not sit here and listen to this rubbish….”

“SIT DOWN MOTHER!” Myles said forcefully.

She looked at him strangely, almost afraid of him, he thought, as if he might go berserk and use his gun on her. Standing up, he unbuttons his suit jacket and holds both sides open, revealing an empty holster under his shoulder where he normally wore it when off duty. “No gun, mother. I’m not going to suddenly go crazy and gun you both down like you read in the newspaper.

“I..I…I wasn’t…”

Reaching up and laying his hand on his wife’s arm, Phillip boomed out in a voice almost as loud as Myles’, “SIT DOWN ELIZABETH!” He doesn’t wait for her to obey but tugs on her arm until she plops down unceremoniously, legs reflexing and flying up in the air before coming down to hit the carpet with a soft thud.

Elizabeth had always been in control of her life. She spoke and people listened, until that fateful day eight years ago when Myles had told them he was marrying Lucy Dotson. She had ranted and raved at her son; he was, after all, the heir to their fortune. He couldn’t just go off and marry a commoner like Lucy. She had to make him see that Lucy would always be a liability to him, drag him down to her level. People would laugh at him, not respect him. They already had their suspicions about him because he had decided to work for the F. B. I. a job for the common man, not a man of authority and distinction, a man like her father.

But she had failed to convince him. He did not listen to her then and she had told him he was as good as dead in her eyes. And she had not spoken to him, had not allowed Phillip to speak to or about him. Had not allowed anyone in their household to mention his name. She had even forbade Anne to speak to him. Anne, she was shocked that Anne had disobeyed her, had let her daughter be friends with him, build her that doll house. She was so angry she could have spit nails as her grandfather used to say. And now, Phillip, her beloved husband of 50 years had turned against her too. She felt like crying and she never cried, had not cried since she was a child.

She felt defeated, betrayed, first by her son, then daughter and now husband. There was no one left. Suddenly she realized the hatred for her son had consumed her, turned her into an embittered old woman, driving them all away. It was at that moment that the hard shell of her heart began to break away. Straightening her skirt and jacket, reaching up to straighten her hair, she looked into her son’s eyes and swallowed the lump in her throat. In a husky voice, she said, “Alright Myles, I’ll listen to what you have to say,” and visibly sighed.

Myles watched as his mother came to terms with who and what she was. The emotions he saw played out on her face were oh, so familiar, ones he had experienced long ago. His heart pour out with unconditional love for this woman who gave him birth and he knew that God had been preparing him for this moment these past four years just as sure as he knew there was air to breath. He wanted to take her in his arms and comfort her; but, that, he was sure, now, would come in time.

He continued in a soft velvety voice, wanting to make what he was going to say as gentle as he could. “Anne and I were never allowed to develop a normal brother/sister relationship. The abnormal became normal with us. You made sure I believed Anne was your favorite; yet, at the same time, you also made sure she thought I was your favorite. You taught us to love money, power, fame, that we were better than everyone else, a higher class of people, because we were from an old line of aristocratic peoples.”

“You had me fooled for a lot of years. When I went to Harvard I believed all that you had taught me, that I was better than everyone else. But, God began working on me there. I didn’t realize it at the time, of course; but, I believe with all my heart that God was watching over me, protecting me from myself, giving me little nudges through people I met. Nudges which altered the direction I was going, not fully down that path God had set out for me, but, just enough to keep me within reach of that path.”

“The first path alteration was when an F. B. I. agent came to the campus looking for recruits. The excitement I felt when he talked about serving and protecting the people of this great land was just what I was craving. A place where I could belong; and, do good by catching bad guys. But I still maintained those airs that I was better than everyone else. It took me a long time to overcome that which had been drilled into me from birth forward.”

“The second alteration came when a young petite blonde woman, who happened to be deaf, came to work on our team. She possessed a unique ability to read lips and could assist the team by reading the lips of criminals caught on video tape with no sound. I thought I was better than she, that she was a liability to the team, would end up getting one of us killed. I treated her very badly. But, God knew better and I believe with all my heart he had sent her to my team to fulfill her destiny as well as mine. God’s blessing for me started with her compassionate nature in handling my bitterness. My heart had been so hardened, surely just as much as pharaoh’s heart when Moses asked him to let God’s people go from captivity in Egypt all those years ago. God had used pharaoh and God had a plan for me that I could not see when Sue joined the team.”

But, slowly over the course of Sue’s first year with the team, her compassion spread across the team like thick syrup slowly rolling to the edge of the pancakes, soaking into every life she touched, whether it was our team members, other co-workers, snitches or criminals. She was amazing. She taught me that there was a God and he was all encompassing. You know that woman as Sue Thomas. She is now married to Jack Hudson, our team leader and they have two adorable children.”

“I believe that God sent Sue to our team, for two reasons. Most people would probably say for one reason; but, I have no doubt God doubles up, probably even triples or more, the reason for placing people in a position to fulfill the destiny of more than one person with a single act. I know that God’s primary reason for sending Sue to the team was so she and her soul mate, Jack, could meet, fall in love and marry. They were the first of our team members to marry. Serving God in their own way, they continue to touch the lives of all who cross their paths, both at work, in the deaf world, at our church, in our local community, and even on the mission field.”

“They married the year before I proposed to Lucy. Bobby Manning and Tara Williams also married, about six months after Jack and Sue. Lucy and I began dating. We had dated once before, but broke up right after Sue came to work. I had blamed Sue for the breakup, another reason for me treating her badly. The truth of the matter was, I had begun seeing someone else behind Lucy’s back and Sue had discovered this. She told Lucy and Lucy broke up with me. Then Sue and Lucy became roommates, sharing an apartment. Over the course of three years Sue’s compassionate nature also worked on Lucy and Lucy fell in love with me again, as I fell in love with her; and, this second time I realized how much I loved Lucy. Enter my rushing home to tell you the news and your rejection of Lucy and refusal to come to our wedding.”

“For years I was filled with bitterness, anger, rage, towards you both for refusing to acknowledge Lucy as the love of my life, refusing to come to our wedding, to accept her as my wife and as the mother of my children as they came along. I took my rage out on Lucy at home and my friends at work. My friends encouraged me to forgive you. They prayed for God to take control of my life. Lucy prayed every morning and evening, and in between, for me to turn this anger and resentment over to God; and, for me to reconcile with you.”

“Then, one Sunday, four years ago, God called me to finally lay down all that anger and commit my life to Jesus. He called me to do this by going to the alter, getting down on my knees, confess my sins, ask forgiveness and profess my love for Him. I did that and became a member of the church. He took away my bitterness, anger, rage all directed towards you, and replaced it with a love so great, it is hard for me to put into words. He had watched over me all those years, still watches over me. After accepting Jesus as my Lord and Savior, I began praying for reconciliation with you. I joined a Bible study, went on the Walk to Emmaus, became an Epiphany volunteer to minister to young juvenile offenders; and then, two years ago, God called me to begin a two year study to become a lay leader in our church. With the help of my friends and Anne, I was able to go to seminary in the evenings to accomplish God’s plan for my life; but, there was always one thing missing; reconciliation with you.”

I love you very much. I want to be your son, I want to have a relationship with you. Lucy loves you. Her faith was, is, amazing to me. She has always loved you, prayed for you and wants to be your daughter. So, here is what I want from you. I want you to accept and love me for who I am; to accept and love Lucy, to love your grandchildren. I don’t expect you to change overnight; so, I would ask you to think about my request. I am being ordained tomorrow as lay leader in the afternoon. You were drawn down here on false pretenses to attend the ordination as lay leader consultants.

But the real reason is because I wanted to reconcile with you and I knew the only way we could begin that process was for us to meet. So, a year ago, I began to plan a way to get you here. I arranged, through Pastor Ross, to initiate a consulting program where lay leaders from other churches attend ordinations of new lay leaders. I’m going to leave you now with this thought. If you can find it in your hearts to begin traveling down that road of reconciliation, then come to the ordination tomorrow afternoon. Sit with Lucy, she will save you a seat beside her. Then come to the alter with my friends and family when Pastor Ross administers the oath. That is my prayer. If you cannot find it in your hearts to do so, then Lucy and I will keep praying. God is a God of miracles and I have no doubt that one day we will reconcile. I would just rather it be sooner that later.”

With that, Myles stands and quietly walks from the room. He is exhausted. Lucy is waiting for him. She takes his arm and, leads him to the door. Anne gives them a hug. “I’ll be praying Myles.”

“We’ll all be praying Anne. See you tomorrow morning at church?”

“I’m not sure. If mother and father want to go, I’ll go with them to the one down the street. If not, then I’ll see you at our church.”

Myles and Lucy walk out the door and head home.


Myles looks out over the congregation as he and the other soon-to-be lay leaders waited for the service to begin. There were five all total who were being ordained. He glanced to the rows reserved for family and friends who would stand with each of them as they were administered the oath of ordination. Jack and Sue are there, along with their children, sitting with Lucy and their boys. Lucy’s mother and grandmother are there, sitting between Sue and Lucy. Hearing a commotion, his eyes move to the rear and he sees Bobby and Tara leading their twins down the aisle to join the others. Behind them were D, Donna, Tanya and Davey with his fiancé. How nice of Davey to bring Jeanette. Soon Anne, William and Millie join them.

Everyone is here, everyone except…. He wonders if they will come as he reflects on the events of the previous evening. Thank you again, Lord, for last night. I ask you to continue the healing process begun yesterday, not for me, Lord, but for mother and father, that their bitterness will be lifted from their hearts, for their sakes Lord. For it is painful to harbor such feelings. In Jesus’ name I ask this, Amen.

He looks up and his eyes fall on his mother. She is looking at him and gives a weak smile, continuing to walk down the aisle. When she reaches the pew where Lucy, the boys, their family and friends are seated, she hesitates, then slides in to sit beside Lucy. He watches with astonishment as she turns to Lucy and gives her a tentative smile. And then his mother does something which brings tears to his eyes. She leans over and gives Lucy a small kiss on the cheek. He watches his mother’s tentative first step to reach out to Lucy play out in slow motion, as Lucy turns her head toward his mother. Her lovely eyes open wide in amazement and then a dazzling smile lights up her face. She reaches over and takes his mother’s hand, giving it a squeeze. He takes a hankie out of his rear pocket and wipes the tears from his eyes. Thank you Lord, I know that was very hard for her to do.

The service was a short one. Myles and the other four each gave a short, three minute speech. Then, each participant’s family and friends were asked to come up and stand with them as they were administered the oath of lay leadership. With Lucy by his side, Joseph to his left, Jacob to Lucy’s right, his mother and father standing behind Joseph, Lucy’s mom and grandmother beside her, Anne and her family behind their parents and their friends standing behind them, Myles repeats the vows. Then, asking his family and friends to lay their hands on him, Pastor Ross prayed that God would grant Myles humility, a loving heart, and unconditional love as he accepts the role of leadership in their Church, the Body of Christ. After the prayer, Pastor Ross shook hands with Myles, Lucy, and all the rest of his family and friends, including the children.

Later as they gathered back at Myles’ and Lucy’s home, eating Rhubarb / Strawberry Pie, some with whipped topping, some with ice cream and some plain, Myles passed out recipe cards for all to take with them. When they each had a card, he quieted them down, then spoke in a quiet tone.

“I want to thank you all for your support of this endeavor which God called me to fulfill during these past two years. Without your steadfast love and encouragement, I could not have accomplished what God had planned for me.” Turning to his parents, he continues, “Mother, Father, I want you to know how much I love you, how much it has meant to me that you were here today for Lucy and me. I have prayed for this reconciliation between us and God has answered my prayers. I hope you will come back to visit us soon, after our baby daughter is born next month. Then, turning the recipe card over, he read the Recipe for Love, printed on the back side of each recipe card.

Hey, I even had time enough to post the recipes.

Hope you enjoyed this story.

Lynn



Rhubarb / Srawberry Pie



2 Cups Fresh Rhubarb, cut into 1” cubes

2 Cups Fresh Sliced Strawberries

1 ½ Cups Sugar

½ Cup Instant Tapioca Pudding Mix

1 tsp Grated Orange Peel

1 Tbls Butter

2 Unbaked pie shells for 9” pie plate



Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Mix the first five ingredients thoroughly and let stand for 15 to 30 minutes until juice forms. Pour into unbaked pie shell (preferably a glass pie plate.) Dot with butter. Cover with second pie shell. Flute (pinch) the two pie shells together around the edge of the pie plate. Cut slits in top crust to let the steam escape. Bake in 400 degree oven for 45-50 minutes, or until the filling bubbles and the pie shell is a golden brown. Remove and place on a cooling rack. May be served warm or cold with or without ice cream or whipped cream / cool whip.



The meaning of this recipe translated into a recipe of spiritual love.



Recipe for Love:



Rhubarb = The tartness of God’s discipline when we sin

Strawberries = The sweet fruit of Jesus’ Love

Sugar = Jesus’ Sacrifice on the Cross to cleanse us of sin

Tapioca = Prayer, the glue that binds us together in a relationship with God

Orange Peel = Pastors, reminding us of our sins and Saving Grace of Jesus and His Mercy

Butter = Faith Mentors who nurture us on our faith journey

Pastry = The Church, or Body of Christ that comes together to worship the Lord



Oven Temp = Bible Study, to learn more about God

Bake Time = A Worldly Lifetime

No of Servings = All in the Mission Fields of Local Community, State, Province, Country and World



Combine the tartness of God’s discipline, the sweet fruit of Jesus’ love and Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross. Add prayer and mix thoroughly. Sprinkle with Pastors. Let the mixture stand until Jesus’ Sacrifice on the Cross works to cleanse us of sin. Pour mixture into The Church, or Body of Christ. Dot with Faith Mentors. Pre-heat with Bible Study. Bake for A Worldly Lifetime. Serves All in the Mission Felds of our Local Communities, States, Provinces, Countries and World.

Congratulations, Lynn!

Beautiful ending !

beautiful story

cath

congratulations! You did it! I'm so glad Myles was able to arrange a meeting with his parents and that they finally listened to him. So many years lost -- grandchildren they don't even know...mind you they don't seem very involved with Anne's daughter either. Hoepfully this is just the beginning of change for their family.

kav

Very inspiring story, Lynn!! I'm so glad that Myles' mother and father decided to reconcile with Myles and get to know Lucy and his children!! I also agree that they need to spend some time with Anne's daughter!! Hopefully they will be back for the birth of Myles and Lucy's daughter and will become a loving part of this wonderful family!!!

Thanks for sharing!!!

Joy

That was beautiful Lynn! Way to go!

I haven't been reading this as you posted... was desperately trying to finish mine...
but it was lovely to be able to read it as a complete work.

I agree with Marlo...


and the rift between Myles and his parents was heartbreaking.

I thought that the way you wrote Myles' struggle with his hate and anger was very powerful, and the scene at the church was very moving

Loved Millie's dolls house - I can see Myles being really good at making something like that!

Wonderful meeting and the final reconciliation - a lovely hopeful end to the story

and rhubarb and strawberry pie sounds wonderful!

WOW Lynn! I just read this straight thru. What a moving story. Myles emotions ran so deep and were gripping. What a relief for him to find the healing he needed. I love that you didn't hesitate to bring it on home. Not an easy story to write. Very powerful.

I love the relationships between the team and how they are real family. Myles building the doll house for his niece was something I could picture him doing.

All the interesting information about he mission's and how Myles got involved, as well as the other team members. I'm so glad you wrote out what they were really about, wonderful ministries.

The description of the church scene when Myles was being ordained, was so inspiring. How wonderful for his parents to finally come to terms with forgiveness and acceptance. Great message through this whole story. Loved it.

As for the recipe - my favoite pie! Yummy! The meaning was the icing on the cake, or would that be the filling in the pie?

Lynn, I'm always ready to read a good Myles story!
I especially love ones which show a transformation - a spiritual journey!
And this was wonderful on all counts!

I'm sorry I didn't get a chance to read this sooner, but I enjoyed being able to read it all in one sitting!

It's a fantastic story! Incredibly moving and inspirational!
A wonderful testimony to the power of prayer and forgiveness!

I'm so very glad you gave up on trying to make it into a short story - that you didn't suppress anything that came to you. (I'm rarely able to write a story that would not be classified as a short story, so I'm always amazed at how some people say they can't write a short story, only long ones.)

I love the scenes with Myles and his sons! And loved how you captured the wonderful dynamics of the team - they are more than co-workers, and even more than friends, they are a family.

I especially loved the scene with the hymn, inter-woven with the voice of God, and Myles going forward to give his life to Christ! Beautifully done! Incredibly moving!

I'm so glad you decided to enter the challenge even though you hadn't completed the story at the time and am so very glad you were able to complete it by the deadline!

The recipe sounds wonderful and I really enjoyed the recipe translated into a recipe of spiritual love and also all the additional information on the ministries.

Thanks so much for sharing this wonderful, beautiful story!
Well done!

Tracy

I want to, once again, thank you all for reading this story, both those who commented and those who did not. As I think I said in one of my posts, the story wrote itself and it became obvious at the outset that I was writing this story for me...to help me give up the disappointment, frustration and, on occasion anger, that things going on between my dad and me were not going as I had planned. Writing this story enabled me to give it up and recognize, once again, that what I wanted wasn't God's plan, at least not at this particular time.

Writing about the conflicts between Myles and his parents and his giving up control of his anger and rage to God was, I think God"s way to get my attention, reminding me, yet again, that my plans don’t necessarily equate to His plans; and, to quit being such a control freak, especially where my dad is concerned. I let dad read my story and he loved it. This is the first story I’ve let him, or anyone read. He said he was surprised that I could write, and this story became a tool of healing between us before I left to come home last week. I didn’t think it could get any better than that.

But ya’ll showed me that it could and, once again, I thank you all for reading and posting your wonderful comments. I was....am very flattered by your words. And I especially want to thank all those who voted for this story. I am honored, deeply touched and humbled.

Blessings to you all.

Lynn

Great story Lynn...just what the Gram ordered!

Bravo!


Hope ~