Jekyll Island Beach 2012

Jekyll Island Beach 2012

Wednesday, February 8, 2012

L is for LOVE WILL FIND A WAY

The Rogue Speaks:



Matthew 19:21-22



Jesus said unto him, If thou wouldst be perfect, go, sell that which thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come, follow me. But when the young man heard the saying, he went away sorrowful; for he was one that had great possessions.


WHAT!! You think HEATHENS can't know about the Bible?  Well, this heathen does, and it's the "Red Letter Edition" as well.  For those of you who don't know what that means, in that edition the words of Jesus are printed in red  (That's nice to know, especially if you are curious about how many times Paul actually quotes Jesus in his writings).  To hear a wealthy person say that he "doesn't care about the poor.  The poor have a safety net."  is shocking to me, especially when that wealthy man claims to be a Christian.  I think that's what greed does to people.   Enough of that, though--let's get on with my Alphabe-Thursday lesson for Miss Jenny.

THE JUMPER,  conclusion - "Love Will Find A Way"
Aaron's words had the desired effect, and he and Miriam held their breath as their father, his shoulders drooping, swung his legs back over the balcony, and stood up.  Two officers quickly took his arms to prevent him from changing his mind, and guided him back into the living room of his condo.  Aaron and Miriam embraced him, and walked with him to the sofa.


After all the officers had left, and they were alone, he began to speak. "I have done some horrible things in the last few years.  I have hurt a lot of innocent people, and I am so ashamed and filled with regret.  I just don't know how to make things right again.  The two of you, and your mother have been my whole life, and I wanted to give only the very best to you.  I wanted us to never have to worry about anything.  I thought money was the way to do it.  Now, I don't know how I can undo the wrongs I have done."

"Dad, what are you talking about?  What did you do that was so horrible?" Miriam asked. "We have had a wonderful life because we knew that you loved us!  The material things never mattered!  We were a family!  You and mom were the best parents because you both were caring and supportive!  That's all we ever needed."


"I made a lot of money--a LOT of money!" he said. "But people lost their homes because of me.  I sold them mortgages that they couldn't afford, and when they couldn't pay, I took their homes!  Not only that, but I bet against them.  Their loss was my gain--more money for me!"


"Derivatives!"  Aaron said.  " I knew it! I thought that's what you were telling me when Mom got sick.  I thought you would be worried about the ourtageous cost of her treatment, but you told me that it was covered by certain funds you were involved in.  I was right, wasn't I,  Dad? "


"Yes, son, derivatives--the derivative market.  Those poor people!  They lost while I got richer every day. I am so ashamed!  I hate myself for what I have done.  How can I ever make this right??  I know you must hate me now, too."


"Dad, we could never hate you!  You are our father, and we will always love you!" Miriam cried.  "Aaron, I don't understand this derivatives thing,  but isn't there something we can do about this?"


"Yes, " Aaron replied. "We can give it back."


"Aaron, do you know what that means?  You and your sister will have no inheritance!"


"We are fine, Dad.  We are both fine.  We don't need it.  Miriam has a wonderful  career as a design engineer, and my career in medical research not only pays well, it is the most satisfying thing I have ever done in my life.  What we do need is you. It's time you retired, anyway.   We need you to be part of our lives and our children's lives.  We will take care of you the way you and Mom took care of us--with love and devotion."


"Dad, Aaron is right!  Let us take care of you.  This place is too big for you anyway!  Sell it!  Come live with me and Phillip and the boys!  The guest house is just perfect for you!  And you can work in the garden!  You always loved that when we were small.  All those beautiful flowers that we helped you plant!  And the vegetables that we grew from seeds!  I was always in awe that those little seeds sprouted and grew. I want my children to know you the way I did, and I want you to be a part of their lives.  Please, Dad!"


"I'll go with you to the office on Monday," Aaron said.  "We'll go through your files, and find those people.  I'll get Mark Woodward to handle the transactions.  You remember Mark!  He was my best friend when I was young, and he still is.  What do you say, Dad?  Does that sound like a plan?"

"I don't know, Aaron.  I don't want to be a burden to you and Miriam."

"A burden??  Dad, you could never be a burden!  You and Mom loved us and helped us to grow into responsible  adults with families of our own.  You cared for us!  Now it is our turn to show you just how much we love you and appreciate you for the wonderful father you have been.!  Let us care of you!!  We can make this thing right, Dad, and give those people back their lives," Aaron said warmly, taking his father's hand. 

"Come home with me tonight, Dad.  I don't want you staying here by yourself," said Miriam, and she went to fetch a few clothes.

After locking the door to the condo, he paused, remembering his sweet and gentle wife, and the life they had shared together.  He thought of all the hurt he had caused with his greed, and then he looked at his two loving children, and realized that he must have done something right after all.
He cried.

Thanks for stopping by and reading my little story.  Now please go here for my continuation of last week's "Kids" post, Loveable Kids!

25 comments:

Cher Duncombe said...

Judie, I loved the ending and especially the last line. I would love to see you write some short stories. You are so good! Time is the thing, isn't it? So difficult to do it all, but everything you do is amazing!

JJ said...

Judie: There you go again ... Please don't take me out of context.

I also agree with askcherlock. When are you going to write that book? At least put together some short stories. I'm still waiting, and I am not alone.

Judie said...

Well, you two, I am thinking about doing just that! Short stories, that is! Please check out my Lovable Kids post!

Jo said...

well if only it really did end that way ... i do wish the 1% would give, and give heartily ... how much money does one actually need in a life time ... on the other hand, if we took a global viewpoint, we might find out that globally we are the 1%, what with our stable governments (okay somewhat), our economy, our healthcare, and roofs over our heads ...
Really well written Judy, you are becoming quite the writer, i am enjoying your stuff more and more!!!

Pondside said...

Thank you for the happy ending. We all need to write happy endings - to tell stories of hope and to model loving and hopeful behaviour.
I don't know how else to combat the greed - the arrogant, blatant and smug greed - of those who are battling it out to be int he race to lead a country that needs wise leadership.

Ames said...

The story is good Judie, but the character is still a smuck!Wouldn't that be wonderful if all those greedy smucks gave every penny back? Love a happy ending!~Ames
P.S. Maybe Romney needs to be reminded about Matthew 19:21-22. Ah hell who am I kidding. Love ya! Mean it!~Ames

Esther Joy said...

Uplifting story, Judie! And you made me smile at your remarks at the beginning. You reminded me of my dear sweet sis in law that we buried 4 years ago today. She was such a sweet ball of fire! I miss her so very much.

JANU said...

Lovely story...

Lola said...

Love the happy ending here!

PS Endorse your thoughts on greed - so many politicians seem to suffer from it - as if it were an illness!)

Lovely post - and LOVED the pic of moi in yr previous post too!!!

XOXO Lola:)

Unknown said...

I had no idea when you left us hanging that this was the direction you would go in. He must have done something right. He has amazing kids! Glad he didn't miss out of the wonderful words they had to say.

Rocky Mountain Woman said...

love the ending! I didn't see it coming, but it really works.

As a fellow heathen (who was raised in a household that read the Bible everyday), I love your comment about heathens knowing what the Bible says.

My friends are always shocked when I quote the Bible. Just because you don't belong to some sort of organization doesn't mean you aren't a good person or a spiritual person! Actually, I think it's kind of the other way around personally...

Gattina said...

You only have to look at all the cathedrals and churches in the whole world and you know where the money for the poors went !!
I read the bible like a romance, especially the first part is very interesting, fathers with daughter, brothers with sisters, etc, lol !
With the new Testament you have a lot of choice. Mattew (appostle)was for marriage and children, Peter (appostle) was for celibate. So the catholics have priests and pedophiles amongst them and the Mattew inspired the protestants and the pastors are married !
Ah ! Religion is complicated ...

nothingprofound said...

Truly a tale of redemption, Judie, and quite Christian in its message of self-examination and forgiveness. To realize one's mistakes doesn't absolve them, but it can be the portal to a new and richer life.

Susan Anderson said...

The best part of this story for me is the unconditional love from his children. I wish every family member could be loved like that.

I also like the message of making things right when you've done someone a wrong.

=)

21 Wits said...

Judie, what a power piece and I'm talking about right from the beginning and then you move into the answer I'd been waiting for, (yes! a happy ending) and that itself reached off the scales of deep....this too shall be a part of one fine collection by Judie!

Tammy said...

What a great theme. Too bad it'll be lost on those who need it most--but it was a great read!

Unknown said...

Great story, I missed the first part so I'll have to go back to find it!

Jenny said...

Lovely Link for Letter "L"...

Thanks for Linking!

A+

Leovi said...

Yes, without doubt, the best L of all is LOVE. Greetings.

THE SNEE said...

That sounds like Utopia to me! I dream of such a story all the time....From your pen to reality. Great tale Judie, and oh how I wish it were true!

anitamombanita said...

Hi Judie...skipped right to the ending since I hadn't done my SC yet and didn't want to be influenced... I'll be back later to read and comment. But in the meantime, yes, the hubs being a snow angel, not actually making one...he has this thing about sprawling his 6'4" frame anywhere he thinks he can soak up a few rays...LOL

Cheryl D. said...

Ugh, I can't past what Romney said. It makes my blood boil1

Great story!

The Poet said...

Hello Judie.
Anything is possible with love...and it's free.
Wonderful, post.
Thanks for sharing.

Love Has Seeped Into My Heart

~✽Mumsy✽~ said...

Beautiful story, Judie! Now, if only half of the people on this earth would make the wrong-thing right, we would have such a better world.

Sorry for the late coming! I'm seriously in a limbo stage at the moment...

Splendid Little Stars said...

aawww....Perhaps he did do something right. It's quite possible that the children's mother did something right or the kids themselves.
a story that points to redemption, but the hard work is ahead.
I don't think lots of money and living "high" necessarily make for a happier life. I don't think "happy" is necessarily something to strive for either.