Sing the Wondrous Story: Orphans of the West Novellas, #2

By Faith Blum

Can he let go of the past?

Jason was kicked out three years ago. His judgmental actions and decisions caused a rift and turmoil within his family, especially concerning his sister, Jessamine. Now God is leading him to return home—a home he isn't certain he will be welcomed back to. The last three years has led to personal growth, he still has a lot to learn. Can he overcome his past mistakes or will he always be the black sheep?

Jessamine has popularity and the attention of many in town except the two men she wants to catch for herself. She lives for those moments of attention and needs to marry a rich man to buy all the pretty things she desires. There are two men who fit that and she will stop at nothing to find a husband to make her life perfect. When Jason returns and challenges her actions, will she be able to let go of her plan? Can she find love in more than herself?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Faith Blum
• Release date: Aug 26, 2018
• ISBN: 9781386791065

Book preview

Other Titles by Faith Blum

Hymns of the West Series

A Mighty Fortress

Be Thou My Vision

Amazing Grace

Lily of the Valley

The Solid Rock

Hymns of the West: The Complete Series

Hymns of the West Novellas Series

I Love Thee

Pass Me Not

Redeemed

Hymns of the West Novellas: Volume One

Just a Closer Walk

Just As I Am

Blessed Assurance

Hymns of the West Novellas: Volume Two

Short Stories

Where the Light May Lead

Heaven’s Jubilee And Other Short Stories

Faith is the Victory

The Light Leads to Hope and Peace

Christ Arose

Orphans of the West

Savior, Like a Shepherd

All the Way My Savior Leads

He Hideth My Soul

Orphans of the West Novellas

’Tis So Sweet

Sing the Wondrous Story

Audiobooks

A Mighty Fortress

Be Thou My Vision

Tales of the East

Trust and Obey

To my anthology partners.

Your help in this novella and the fun we had putting the book together was invigorating.

Table of Contents

Prologue

1. Home

2. The Dance

3. Surprise

4. Life

5. Claire

6. Sidney DeBois

7. Work

8. Trouble in Paradise

9. What to Do?

10. Despair

11. The Letter: Jason

12. The Letter: Jessa

13. Proposal

14.Coming to Terms

15. Jason and Jessa Talk

16. Moving

Preview of He Hideth My Soul

Special Thanks

About the Author

Prologue

You are so judgmental and...and legalistic! How could God want you to be that way?

No, I’m not. I’m following what God says in the Bible. If that is legalistic—

It is, Jessamine interrupted. And I don’t want to have any part in it. I like dancing. I don’t want to give it up. I don’t see you want to make life miserable for everyone else, Jason. Why can’t you just be quiet, let it go, and let us live however we want to? Would it really hurt you that much?

Jason sighed. Jessa, I don’t want to make your life miserable. I don’t see why dancing is so important. It’s just a way to socialize which you can do in much healthier ways. There’s drinking and smoking and girls making fools of themselves.

Jessa’s eyes widened. Are you saying I’m a fool?

No, I’m not. I’m—

That’s what it sounded like.

Well, it isn’t.

Jason! Jessa! Mr. Poler walked into the parlor. I can hear you from the front doorway. What are you arguing about this time?

What else? Jessa asked, crossing her arms.

Mr. Poler turned to Jason. I thought I asked you to not bring up the dance hall again.

Jason swallowed hard. You did.

Then why did you?

I didn’t. Jessa did.

Jessa sniffed. Only because he’s being judgmental again.

About what this time? Mr. Poler asked.

The tinting Mother bought me. He thinks it is of the devil and makes me look like a loose woman.

Mr. Poler’s nostrils flared. Jason Harold Poler, you do not call your sister names. Your mother and I will be the judge of what she does and does not wear and where she goes. If that means she goes to the dance hall once it is finished, that is up to us, not you. If you can’t stop talking about these so-called evils, you can leave until you can stop. I don’t want to hear another word of this again in my house.

Jason clenched his jaw. But Father, can’t you see that the Bible—

I know the Bible well enough and don’t need a seventeen year old to tell me what’s right and what’s wrong. I can figure it out on my own.

Jason took a deep breath and closed his eyes. Couldn’t his father see the destructive things going on in town? Couldn’t anyone? Maybe his mother would see things his way. He grimaced. No, she had bought the tinting for Jessa. Tinting that made her lips unnaturally red and a stark contrast to her pale skin. I can’t leave it alone, Father. Not when I see my family heading down a destructive path. I can’t do it. I don’t want Jessa to become a woman God would be disappointed in. I want her to have God at the center of her life, and I don’t see how she can do that when she is so obsessed with fashion.

Jessa gasped. So I can’t like fashion and be in God’s favor? I’ve been to church as much as you have—or almost as much—and have never heard the pastor say anything about that.

Jason chewed his lower lip. Why should he? It’s in the Bible. Maybe not said exactly like that, but basically. First Peter three says, ‘Whose adorning let it not be that outward adorning of plaiting the hair, and of wearing of gold, or of putting on of apparel; but let it be the hidden man of the heart, in that which is not corruptible, even the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price.’ God wants—

I don’t care, Jessa snapped. I don’t care what you want or what God wants or what the world wants. I only care about what I want and I don’t want to be judged for doing whatever I want. Just leave me alone! She spun around and stomped out of the room and up the stairs, slamming her bedroom door behind her.

Mr. Poler turned to his son. Happy now?

Jason felt his insides churning. Why did she react so badly? I just told her what the Bible said.

Have you read the verse ‘Speak the truth in love’?

Yes.

I suggest you learn to apply the verse to your own life. I will talk to your mother and we will figure out what to do about this situation.

Jason swallowed. Yes, sir.

In the meantime, I suggest you learn to speak things more lovingly or you will alienate your family.

Yes, sir.

Mr. Poler left the room and Jason sank into the nearest chair. What was he going to do now? How could he fix this problem?

***

The next morning, Jessa came down to the breakfast table wearing a bright red dress that matched her tinted lips. Jason blinked several times as he tried to see past the brightness to her face. He couldn’t. He bit back the caustic words that came to his mind and glanced at his father.

Let’s pray before we eat, Mr. Poler said.

Jason watched as Jessa carefully lowered herself into her chair.

Heavenly Father, thank You for this lovely day in which we can live. Thank You for this food and bless it to our bodies. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Amen, Mrs. Poler echoed at the same time as Jason.

Jason took two biscuits and filled the rest of his plate with the sausage and gravy. He was about to cut a bite off his biscuit when his father’s voice interrupted him.

"Jason, your mother and I have decided you need to keep your thoughts to yourself where