Previous Challenge Entry (Level 1 – Beginner)
Topic: Cousin(s) (05/22/08)
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TITLE: Two Lives | Previous Challenge Entry
By David Johnston
05/29/08 -
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The vicar had given a predictable sermon on 1 Peter 1:24-25. “All men are like grass (even cousin Joe had to pass away), and all their glory is like the flowers of the field (so beautiful, so beautiful); the grass withers and the flowers fall, but the word of the Lord stands forever”; the choir had sung a beautiful rendition of a song I had probably once sung with a little less passion sometime in my youth; and then I took to the pulpit. Below me was my cousin’s casket, my shadow casting it into darkness; I spoke without notes.
“Cousin Joe was a much loved husband, a much loved father (I could see his wife shedding a tear), a much loved lover (a gasp) of Christ who he accepted at the age of twenty one. He was taken from me too soon and returns to the home Christ has prepared in heaven. I remember our first moment together at college, our first confession. One whisky had become two; two thoughts had merged into one, shared. I caressed his hand and confessed. He smiled; my fingers became his; he fell to his knees (a deathly silence – how appropriate) and faith in Christ poured forth. The moment will forever stay etched in my mind. His words became holy, with time, over time, against mine, and he met Ruth.
Marrying Ruth was a step into the unknown for this new Christian. They moved north and I’m sure their marriage was strong at first before the inevitable temptations of the world buffeted Joe from both (a knowing smile from the gentleman towards the back) sides. Our paths crossed again – once more, and how can we deny fate’s leanings? – at Aunt Joanne’s first wedding. He was kneeling towards the front and as I slipped into the open church I caught sight of his eyes closing. A prayer rose from him, soundless, as Aunt Joanne muttered ‘I do’; his neck inclined as I’d seen once before in that college room and I knew he was praying for strength in the face of temptation.
Joe filled his life with work and close family as fate tried to penetrate his layers but a missed phone call, an empty office conspired to thwart her, his, perfectly healthy probings. I heard that Ruth fell pregnant; Joe professed happiness; and David was born. By a coincidence too coincidental to pass unnoticed, his second child, Jonathon, was born almost to the day – but not the year – as my first. Our fates had interlinked yet again but death was to take him, my beautiful, my cousin, my Joe. A short illness (too much whisky?) preceded a yellowing decline as the pretence of this life faded, withered and fell. Death may have taken him from me, but before the almighty throne of He, who alone is judge, the angels share his presence.”
Silence echoed around the church as I stepped down from the pulpit having told my truth. ‘Lies’ whispered Ruth, but I’d only spoken about what I knew. ‘Lies’ expounded David, but I’d been truthful. ‘Lies’ exclaimed those who claimed to know him better, to know his life best. Standing outside the church, looking up to where the judgement seat will be, I knew that God was purposefully drawing each individual ray of sunlight, bathing me in others’ envy, jealousy, in the light of Christ’s pure righteousness . One man’s sunset is yellow, another’s red; one man’s lies are another’s truth; and who can say who is right?
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