Revealing Love: Law & Grace, #3

By Judson McCawl

Previously published in two parts as: Law & Grace: The Home-coming Part 1 and Law & Grace: The Home-coming Part 2. Revised Edition. Simplified English.

 

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

 

A remarkable tale of true love and fortitude as God providentially leads along a path of discovery, touching hearts and ultimately revealing the depths of His profoundness.

 

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

 

When Gloria, a middle-aged career woman and single parent to Tim, a varsity student, restores her relationship with her parents, God uses it as a stepping stone. As a result, in the coastal town of Ailensbury, in which they reside, Tim begins an investigation. What will he discover? Where will it all lead? How does Gloria respond to it all? Is there perhaps a storm brewing?

 

Tim's assistance is then required at an event in Anchorville, the nearby old-and-picturesque fishing village. It turns out to be an enlightening occasion. Will Tim be able to keep from Gloria what is revealed? Is there a spanner in the works? How does July (pronounced Julie) hold up? Does God perhaps have something planned? Is His amazing grace at work once again?

 

Join the Nicholls', Renshaws and Harris' again, and share in the restorative work of the Lord, the joys, adventures and biblical instruction. Partake also in the emotional battles, confrontations, heartaches and unexpected trials as God continues to do the work that only His hands can accomplish.

 

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

 

The print version of the book (5.5" x 8.5") is 625 pages in total. The story itself is just more than 157,000 words.

 

With sermons and Scripture included.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Duke of Valmary Publishing House
• Release date: Nov 19, 2020
• ISBN: 9781990977299

Book preview

Chapter 1

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The suspense

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‘Rise and shine,’ said Tim buoyantly as he drew the curtains back in his mother’s bedroom, separating the division between light and dark, and allowing the brightness of the morning glow to overpower the dulled-out dwelling. ‘The day has already begun!’

Timothy Nicholls, who was fondly called Tim, was the son of Gloria Nicholls. He was twenty-three years old, of medium height, quite well built and athletic in appearance. He had somewhat Italian features, with deep dark-brown eyes and hair to match, which was understandable as he resembled his father who was of Italian decent. Sadly, his father had been a reprobate and had left Gloria when Tim was only four years old. Gloria was a hard working woman and as an events manager for a large multi-national concern, Irving & Baxter, had often been away on business. As a result, in the earlier years Tim was left to the care of her brother-in-law, George Renshaw, and her younger sister, Kelly. Although Tim, when very young, had felt the strain of not having a father and the regular absence of his mother, he had fitted in well with his relatives. Thankfully for him he had a cousin, Andrew Renshaw, who got on very well with him, and the two lads shared interests in many sporting and recreational activities, one of those activities being fishing. Even up to current time they still got on very well, and both loved the outdoors. Tim was enrolled at Ailensbury University where he was completing his final year in structural engineering.

Gloria was forty-seven years old, a little taller than what would be considered average height and was of medium build. She had shoulder-blade-length, honey-brown hair and blue eyes. Life had been tough for her, having had to care for and support herself and Tim singlehandedly, in the early years just scraping to make ends meet until she was able to work her way up the corporate ladder. As a result, she showed her age to be what it was, having for a number of years also had to travel extensively around the country.

Life began to stir in the double bed behind Tim as Gloria slowly stretched her legs and peeled her cream-coloured eiderdown away from her face, the glorious light drawing her slowly from her night’s hibernation.

‘What time is it?’ asked Gloria in a muffled tone while producing a gaping yawn, her wavy hair in a matted knot and partly covering her face. She turned over to face Tim and slowly exposed her pale-white arms to the morning as though unsure of what may be out there for them.

‘It’s 07:30,’ replied Tim as he carefully fixed the curtains with their rope tiebacks, the heavy ornately-moulded raw-gold-coloured weights holding the curtains firmly against the wall.

‘What!’ exclaimed Gloria. ‘Seven thirty!’ Her easy and tentative first approach to the new day was forgotten in an instant as her eyes widened, and she sat up quickly. ‘I’ve overslept! I must have missed the alarm bell!’ added Gloria with a tone of panic, having stared momentarily at her bedside alarm clock, its red LED numbers confirming Tim’s answer. ‘I have an important meeting at 08:30 and cannot afford to be late for it!’

‘It’s not surprising that you overslept considering that you were out rather late last night,’ remarked Tim as Gloria jumped out of bed with frantic purpose, listening only with half an ear to Tim, her mind running through a list of to do’s. ‘I received your text message that you were having coffee with Aunt Kelly, so I went to bed, but that was at 00:30!’

‘I was out rather late, but why didn’t you wake me?’ asked Gloria as she whizzed past Tim, her full length, golden silk nighty flapping at the bottom as she hastened to the ensuite bathroom.

Gloria’s bedroom had deep-red rosewood built-in cupboards from floor to ceiling, which contrasted with her light-cream plush woollen carpet and the other light-coloured bedroom features. On the right hand side of the built-in cupboards were matching double doors, which opened into a lavish, well designed and comfortable bathroom.

‘I have breakfast to prepare and everything,’ moaned Gloria as she opened the double doors and switched on the bathroom light that was located on the wall just inside. ‘You know I hate to be late for work, and that I hate to go to work not having eaten.’

‘Wait just a minute, please,’ called Tim, briefly looking up at the ceiling as he chuckled to himself. ‘Come back here.’

There was silence for a moment.

‘What’s the matter?’ asked Gloria as she came back out the bathroom, tying the belt around her waist of the fluffy matt-blue gown that she had now put on over her nighty. ‘What do you want?’

‘Take a sniff, please,’ asked Tim with a big grin.

‘What?’ exclaimed Gloria, looking at Tim quizzically, her maddening rush having momentarily stopped. ‘I don’t have time for games! You know—’

‘Just sniff,’ interrupted Tim as he lifted his hand in a gesture to tell her to stop.

Gloria stared at Tim briefly, then tentatively began to sniff the air as though on the trail of her prey.

‘I smell freshly brewed coffee,’ she said suddenly as her face lit up, ‘and grilled sausage!’

‘Indeed you should,’ responded Tim, still grinning from ear to ear. ‘I left you to sleep a little longer and have prepared your breakfast for you. I only have the whole-wheat bread to toast, but didn’t want to do that too early so that it wouldn’t become overly dry.’

‘Oh, you sweet thing you,’ said Gloria with gratitude as she went over to Tim and gave him a big squeeze. ‘Now I don’t have to rush too much!’

‘Indeed not,’ replied Tim, who had put his arm around Gloria’s waist, ‘and I only have to be at varsity later this morning, as my main task will be to work with Judd on our project, so there’s no rush for me.’

‘Thanks, dearest,’ said Gloria, quite pleased at Tim’s thoughtfulness.

‘I’ll see you downstairs,’ said Tim as he left Gloria to powder and puff and prepare for her onslaught on the working day. ‘Don’t be long, the toast will be ready in a few minutes.’

‘I won’t take any longer than is needed,’ called Gloria from the bathroom, which she had, without hesitation, returned to. Within seconds the strong yet sweet fragrance of perfume wafted out from the ensuite bathroom and graced Gloria’s bedroom with its presence.

Tim quickly disappeared and headed downstairs to place the finishing touches on the gourmet meal he had prepared, also having no desire to have the perfume, no matter how sweet-smelling it was, latch onto his clothes.

‘The food really does smell good,’ said Gloria as the kitchen swing doors parted company and swivelled on their hinges from a shove by her.

‘It should, I cooked it!’ joked Tim as he looked up, seeing his mom enter, her morphed state looking professional and a lot neater than it had not long before – her royal-blue skirt business suit, matching high heels, hair tied up in a bun and light makeup doing the trick.

‘It looks good too!’ added Gloria. ‘You’re quite the chef.’

‘You always say that when I cook,’ said Tim. ‘You’re probably just trying to get me to do all the cooking.’

‘Most certainly not!’ responded Gloria. ‘But leaving me to sleep late and preparing me a scrumptious breakfast isn’t something I’m going to criticise that’s for sure!’

Tim just laughed, knowing that his mother could outshine him in a cooking competition any day, but she only ever encouraged his efforts in whatever he did, and he was most grateful for it.

All was quiet while Tim served the mouth-watering food onto the plates he had ready and waiting, Gloria lost for a moment in her thoughts. The two sat quietly for most of the meal, eating steadily away at the provisions before them.

‘You’ve outdone yourself this time,’ complimented Gloria halfway through the meal. ‘I’m truly impressed, the food’s delicious.’

Tim could not help smiling at her compliment, but had to be careful as he was still chewing on a mouthful of beef sausage and toast. He knew his mother would like the mix as they mainly ate light and health-conscious meals in the mornings, particularly because they were also the quickest to prepare. So, to have small, grilled beef sausages, scrambled eggs, fried tomato, whole-wheat toast and jam, and to top it off, coffee, was a treat for both of them when compared to the usual muesli and fresh fruit juice.

‘You were out till quite late at Aunt Kelly’s last night,’ commented Tim while spreading a thick layer of strawberry jam over his last piece of toast. He did not want to question her directly about her attending the church service beforehand but was interested to know.

‘Oh – yes!’ responded Gloria as she sipped her coffee, having been brought back from her thoughts. ‘I cannot believe that I nearly forgot to tell you! I have some good news!’

‘Good news?’ queried Tim, a little taken by surprise but certainly interested. ‘Okay, I’m all ears, but you’ll have to be quick; have you seen the time?’

‘Whoops!’ exclaimed Gloria as she looked at the round wall-mounted clock that hung just above the kitchen swing doors. ‘I have to run!’ Gloria did not hesitate in getting up, and she headed out the kitchen.

‘What about the good news?’ questioned Tim as he pushed open the kitchen swing doors and entered the living room area, having followed after Gloria.

‘I’ll chat to you later and tell you it all then,’ replied Gloria with a smile. ‘You may even hear about it during the course of the day.’

‘Can’t you tell me quickly?’ asked Tim, not wanting to be held in suspense.

‘I want to sit with you,’ replied Gloria, ‘and tell you about it in detail, not in a rush. If you hear about it before I get home then so be it; otherwise, we’ll chat later. Okay?’

‘Okay,’ said Tim resignedly as he gave Gloria a light one-armed squeeze around her waist, ‘I’ll wait until you get home.’

‘Thanks for the breakfast,’ said Gloria, picking up her briefcase that was standing on the side table at the front door and heading out, ‘it was absolutely delicious and greatly enjoyed.’

‘It was a pleasure, Mom,’ said Tim as he walked out onto the porch to see her off. ‘I’m glad you enjoyed it.’

A moment later Gloria had reversed her highly-polished, metallic-silver sedan out the garage, down the driveway and was heading off to work after waving to Tim.

Tim stood for a moment, his hands in his pockets, and looked out across the street and down towards the seashore that lay way below. The early morning sun was pleasant and welcoming, and Tim happily stood there drawing in its life-giving warmth.

‘Morning, Raymond,’ called Tim, lifting his one hand out his pocket and giving a quick wave to his friendly neighbour pulling out of his garage.

‘Much going on today?’ asked Ray after greeting Tim amiably.

‘Not really for me,’ answered Tim, ‘just some hard work down at varsity once again. Everything’s just status quo for me as far as I can see. And for you?’

‘Much the same,’ replied Ray. ‘Donkey work! But I love it!’

‘I see,’ said Tim, who could not help being amused at Ray’s expression of referring to his former profession as a motocross racer and now as a top motocross coach as drudgery.

Tim waved once more before ambling back inside. His smile soon softened and gave way to a contemplative expression.

‘I wonder what Mom was referring to by good news?’ thought Tim as he headed back to the kitchen to wash up and pack everything away before heading off to varsity. ‘Anyway, I’ll just have to endure the suspense – unless of course someone else tells me what it is!’

Chapter 2

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The good news

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‘Silly me!’ exclaimed Tim, having just locked the hand-carved wooden front door of their house, his mind having been elsewhere. ‘I nearly forgot!’

He quickly unlocked the door, ran inside and darted upstairs to his bedroom, where he had left one of the structural engineering books that he was using for the project that he and Judd were currently working on together. He grabbed the book and in a flash had bounded back down the stairs with great energy and was back locking the front door once again, leaving the house clean and tidy after slightly more than an hour’s work of scrubbing pans, cleaning dishes and tiding up where needed.

Tim looked at his watch as he pulled away from the house in his car, just to see that he was on schedule. There was no need for him to hurry as the few classes he had to attend were later in the day, but he was intending to spend quite some time at the varsity’s library alongside Judd as they worked together on a structural design concept that incorporated new material elements. The project was part of their final examinations and needed to be handed in just prior to the commencement of the written exams in only four weeks’ time.

‘I wonder what the good news could be?’ thought Tim as he casually made his way over to the university. ‘Ah, forget it!’ he mumbled after a couple of minutes with a degree of frustration, having given up on what he thought it could be. He suddenly made more of an effort to get to where he needed to go as his focus shifted to the present situation and his immediate plans.

Just as Tim arrived at the entrance to Ailensbury University, his mobile phone alerted him that a message had been received. After parking his cream sedan in one of the last remaining shady spots and begun making his way to the university’s library, he scrolled through his phone to his messages.

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Hey Tim [said the message],

I’m in class at the moment. We did not get a chance to chat last night after church; how about the main cafeteria at lunch break, can you make it?

Andy

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Tim quickly considered his day’s schedule. He affirmed meeting Andrew, should he not get tied up with work, just before entering through the tall, glass double doors of the main campus building, which housed the large and comprehensive library.

The library consisted of three floors of books, books and more books, not to mention a plethora of theses, articles, journals and the like stored in the university’s mainframe, which could be accessed via the multitude of computer terminals placed in small circles at the back of the library. It was an area very often buzzing with activity as students sucked the nectar of human knowledge and insight from the different sources available.

‘Are you ready to get started, Judd?’ asked Tim, having met up with him a minute later on the second floor.

‘As ready as I’ll ever be,’ whispered Judd. ‘I arrived a little earlier, so I’ve already been to the admin counter and obtained the key.’ Judd held up a small key that was fastened to a large green disk that had a white number 12 printed on it.

‘That’s great!’ responded Tim with enthusiasm. ‘We can get started right away.’

Judd Walters was in Tim’s structural engineering class, but before Tim had accepted Jesus as his Lord and Saviour, Judd had been much friendlier with Andrew, Tim’s cousin, as he and his family attended Ailensbury Christian Fellowship, the same church Andrew and his family attended. His only commonality with Tim up until then was that they were both attending the same course. They had never been friends, due to the dissimilarities in their lifestyles. Now that Tim had given his life to the Lord, and was attending Ailensbury Christian Fellowship, the two of them had become great friends and particularly enjoyed one another’s company on campus.

Judd was a shortish, chubby fellow and as strong as an ox. His curly black hair was bushy and looked wild, and although he had dark-brown eyes, they were always bright and full of life. He also had a heart of gold and would often put himself out in order to help others.

The two lads headed across the open-plan library with purpose, past students sitting in rows at desks quietly working away and others standing at shelves quietly and thoughtfully browsing through books. They strode to the other side, past where the main reception and administrative counter was located, to a section at the back where there was a long row of enclosed cubicles with glass fronts and wood-panelled sides.

Each cubicle had a large desk and three chairs inside so that parties could work on projects together at the library and be able to discuss aspects at a reasonably audible level without disrupting the other students present who were either reading, studying or investigating on their own. Although their use was free of charge, the cubicles had to be booked in advance, and should a party not turn up to use the cubicle, there was a fine levied.

Judd unlocked the empty number 12 cubicle where they were going to work, and the two final-year structural engineering students wasted no time in getting themselves settled in, with books, paper and pens quickly placed on the table and ready.

‘We have just more than two and a half hours until lunch break,’ said Tim, looking at his watch and speaking at a more audible level.’

‘That should be enough time to clear the issues that we have,’ responded Judd, ‘and to search for additional information should we need to.’

‘I hope so,’ said Tim. ‘Andy asked me if I’d join him at the main cafeteria for lunch as he wanted to chat to me, so I’d like to do so if possible.’

‘I can always carry on if we’re still busy,’ offered Judd thoughtfully, ‘and you can go and see Andrew.’

‘Not a chance!’ responded Tim. ‘Andy didn’t mention that it was urgent, so if we have to work on and use the lunch break time, then we do that – me included!’

‘No point in arguing with such an emphatic response!’ said Judd. ‘Besides, I’m struggling a little with some of the issues we’re investigating and the materials set out to be used in the design, so your assistance is most certainly appreciated.’

After finding their bearings from where they had left off the week before, the two lads promptly got stuck in and worked systematically through the issues they saw as potential problem areas that would need to be addressed in the structural design. The minutes slowly ticked away, and they focused intently on the task at hand, sometimes having to go to the shelves to look for alternative material and the odd occasion having to search on the computers.

‘I think I’m going to quickly send Andy a message,’ said Tim as he entered the cubicle after having once again been searching for information on specific material design constraints. ‘We’re nearing the lunch break, and I feel that we still have a fair bit of information to gather, so I think we need to carry on.’

‘No hassle for me,’ replied Judd, looking down at the book he was busy reading through.

Tim quickly typed his message and sent it off to Andrew. It suddenly dawned on him that it may have had something to do with the good news that his mother had referred to. His heart sank at the thought, but he had to press through with the task at hand as it was important, and Judd was relying on his efforts as well.

Within seconds after sending the text message, Andrew had replied, informing Tim that he would phone him early that evening. Tim thought to himself that there must be something to it if Andrew was going to be phoning him later that day, but he could not go back on his decision now no matter how interested he was – he had to work on. The good news would just have to wait.

Before Tim knew it, his work at the library with Judd had been completed, his classes for the day finished and he was back at home.

‘Mom should be back shortly,’ thought Tim as he unlocked the front door of his house and entered, ‘and I wonder when Andrew will phone?’ He headed upstairs, placed his varsity bag in his bedroom and made a beeline for the bathroom to wash and freshen up.

Tim exited the bathroom, rubbing his face with his hand towel, just as the telephone started ringing. He promptly answered it.

‘Have you got a few minutes now?’ asked Andrew lively after greeting Tim. ‘I can’t really talk for long, but I would like to tell you about some good news – unless you’ve already heard.’

Tim’s curiosity immediately rose up within him.

‘I’m all ears,’ said Tim almost before Andrew had finished speaking, and he quickly sat down on the beige velvet-covered chair beside the telephone table.

‘Well, its good news for me anyway,’ said Andrew.

‘You’ve been offered a good job already!’ blurted out Tim.

‘No, not yet,’ responded Andrew, amused. ‘That would be good news too, but that’s not it. June and I became engaged yesterday. We plan to get married towards the end of the holidays, before we all hopefully start working.’

‘Of course!’ exclaimed Tim. ‘Why didn’t I think of that as being the possibility? My sincere congratulations to both of you. I’m not only happy for you both but pleased actually.’

‘Thanks, Tim,’ said Andrew with gratitude. ‘I wanted to tell you last night after church, but there were too many people around.’

‘No hassle, cousin old boy,’ said Tim. ‘Sorry that I couldn’t make it to the cafeteria today, but Judd and I just had too much to get through. We needed to use the lunch break as well!’

‘No fuss,’ said Andrew, ‘I’m just so excited that June accepted my proposal, so I was eager to tell you, but it wasn’t that urgent that it couldn’t wait until now. I just didn’t want you to find out from someone else that’s all. I cannot give you further details now as I’m in a bit of a hurry – we have the Harris family coming round for dinner tonight so that we can discuss all the details.’

‘That’s fine, Andy,’ said Tim. ‘How about tomorrow at varsity, during the lunch break? I’ll make sure I don’t have anything on! I’ve just heard my mom pulling into the driveway, so I need to assist her with dinner anyway.’

‘Okay, Tim,’ said Andrew cheerfully, ‘we’ll chat tomorrow.’

Tim chuckled to himself after saying goodbye to Andrew and replacing the phone’s receiver on its hook. A pleased look was on his face as he descended the stairs on his way to the kitchen, he being very happy for Andrew.

‘And that happy look?’ questioned Gloria, having caught a glimpse of Tim as she entered through the front door. ‘Where does that come from?’ Gloria could not help smiling too, Tim’s pleased look being contagious.

‘I’ve just been chatting to Andrew,’ replied Tim as he walked up and stopped at the kitchen’s swing doors. ‘He told me about the good news.’

‘So you heard then?’ questioned Gloria.

‘Yes,’ replied Tim, pushing the wooden swing doors open and entering the kitchen.

‘You seem pleased,’ said Gloria as she hung her royal-blue jacket on the coat rack in the entrance hall.

‘And why should I not be?’ asked Tim. ‘I think it’s good news too, although we have been expecting it somewhat.’

‘Expecting it somewhat?’ echoed Gloria, quite dumbfounded by the remark. ‘How can you say it was expected?’

‘It was clearly obvious that the likely outcome was inevitable,’ said Tim a little surprised, Gloria having now followed him into the kitchen.

‘You shock me, Timothy Nicholls!’ exclaimed Gloria, sitting down on one of the kitchen stools. ‘You make it sound as though it was a foregone conclusion!’

‘Well, it likely was, wasn’t it?’ responded Tim a little taken aback, having stopped searching in the freezer for the fish pieces he was intending to cook for dinner.

Tim’s pleased look and quiet chuckle had quickly disappeared as he stood looking with great surprise at Gloria.

‘No, it wasn’t!’ snapped Gloria. ‘It was only last night that the whole thing transpired, and although I admit that there were instances of prior influence, it wasn’t until last night that any serious conviction and consideration was entertained!’

‘But I’ve known that this was Andrew’s ultimate intention right from the start!’ objected Tim.

‘Andrew’s ultimate intention?’ questioned Gloria, sitting up straight. ‘What has Andrew got to do with it? What are you referring to?’

‘Andrew and June’s engagement,’ replied Tim with a slightly raised voice. ‘What did you think I was referring to?’

Gloria’s intensity dissolved in an instant, and she began to laugh as she leaned her elbows on the dark-brown granite centre counter top, but Tim was still a little edgy and could not see the funny side of it.

‘Andrew told me just a few minutes ago that he and June got engaged yesterday,’ added Tim, bewildered by his mother’s sudden change of attitude, ‘so considering that you were at Aunt Kelly’s last night, they must have told you the good news. What are you referring to?’

‘I’m sorry, Tim, I’m truly sorry,’ apologised Gloria through her laughter. ‘I completely misunderstood.’

Tim eased off, but he was still a bit taken by the whole thing.

‘So what then are you referring to?’ asked Tim again, wanting to clear up the issue.

‘My apologies once again, Tim,’ replied Gloria, having stilled her laugher. ‘I’m referring to the fact that last night I accepted Jesus Christ as my Lord and Saviour!’

Chapter 3

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The absolute truth

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There was stunned silence. Tim just stood looking at Gloria, speechless by what he had just heard as though having been knocked on the head by a falling coconut.

‘That was my good news anyway,’ said Gloria, feeling a little uneasy at the silence. ‘Well, I thought you would at least see it as being good news.’

‘I had no idea,’ said Tim. He went over and gave Gloria a big squeeze, his former pleased look and joy having returned to him sevenfold livelier. ‘Andrew’s news was glad news, but what you’ve just told me is really great news indeed!’

‘Thanks, Tim,’ responded Gloria warmly, a gratitude and appreciation for him and his words clearly evident in her voice and facial expression. ‘My sincere apologies to Andrew and June for not giving them their due consideration, but my thoughts were elsewhere.’

‘I don’t think they would mind at all,’ said Tim reassuringly. ‘Definitely not in relation to your news!’

‘I would have thought that you would have known about their engagement before now,’ said Gloria, ‘and that it would have been old hat to you. That’s also why it wasn’t at the top of my thoughts. I heard about the engagement last night while having coffee with Kelly, and although your name wasn’t mentioned, I assumed that you had already been told.’

‘Nope,’ said Tim, ‘Andrew and I didn’t get a chance to chat at varsity today. He just briefly told me when we chatted just before you arrived home. Tomorrow, however, I said I would meet him at the cafeteria; he’ll tell me all about it then.’

Gloria’s thoughts returned from her and Tim’s slight digression, and she began to dwell on his reaction to what she had told him. Her eyes began to glow, and a broad smile that she could not hold back quickly spread across her face, the joy of Tim’s response lifting her heart high. It was short lived though, as her initial anxiety about telling him again hit home as a result of the way she had coldly treated him and spoken to him with disrespect and utter contempt when he had told her, just less than a year back, that he had become a true Christian by accepting Jesus Christ as his Lord and Saviour. The weather in Gloria’s eyes suddenly changed from clear skies and bright sunshine to dark, burdened clouds heavily laden with water. Gloria, who remained seated on the stool with her elbows on the counter top, hung her head, and the heavens began to shower forth a heavy downpour that took Tim with equal surprise as the good news had only moments before.

‘What’s the matter, Mom?’ asked Tim, his own emotions being stirred at the sight of her weeping.

‘I’m sorry, Tim,’ managed Gloria as she pulled herself together, the cascade of tears only temporary. ‘Your response to me was so warm and receptive compared to how I had told you that you were daft to entertain fantasy visions when you had accepted Christ, also mentioning that what you had done was a confounded nuisance.’

‘Is that all it is?’ asked Tim with relief. ‘That’s okay, Mom. Do remember that at the time you weren’t saved, and I haven’t held it against you. How could I answer you any other way than what I did?’

‘Thanks, Tim,’ responded Gloria, giving him a quick half smile although a strained look was still evident on her face. ‘I truly appreciate you, you know that?’

‘Indeed I do,’ replied Tim as he gave Gloria a one-armed squeeze around her shoulders. ‘You’ve given almost everything to see me right and well off. I’ll prepare dinner, and you can just sit here and relax for a while – but if you’re up to it, I would like to know what happened.’

Tim returned to the freezer, taking out the frozen haddock he had earlier intended to remove.

Gloria in the meantime moved from the centre counter to the wall counter that was just under the serving hatch, which was closed off by a wooden sliding shutter. She seated herself comfortably on one of the stools, out of Tim’s way but facing him. Having placed both feet on one of the stool’s foot rails, she supported herself by leaning her one forearm on the granite counter top.

Tim worked quickly and steadily away – digging in the fridge for the fresh vegetables that were to be roasted alongside the appetising orange-coloured fish, bending down and pulling out cooking dishes to place it all in, sprinkling olive oil on the vegetables, cutting, chopping and mixing the various salad ingredients till an appetising bowlful sat on the counter next to Gloria.

All the while Tim slaved happily away, Gloria quietly told him what had taken place the night before, both at the church service and afterwards.

‘So it seems you had quite a night,’ concluded Tim, having looked up at Gloria while still whisking away at the gooey, pale-yellow cheese sauce he was lastly working on.

‘Yes, Tim,’ replied Gloria, ‘it was quite a night. But I’m very grateful to God for His mercy and everyone’s prayers, for had I not clearly been shown my part, my sin, my failings, then I wouldn’t have come through. The biggest part was that I could not blame God no matter how I would want to for what had taken place in my life. In His mercy, He had covered every aspect, so I couldn’t say He did not understand – and He was blameless yet took it all for me!’

Tim quietly listened on while taking the freshly baked fish and roasted vegetables out of the eye-level oven. The strong aromatic smell from the herbs and spices Tim had generously heaped on them had blended harmoniously with the olive oil he had lightly sprinkled all over, and it instantaneously burst forth, tantalising the taste buds and igniting the digestive juices.

‘I also realised that I had been faced with the truth,’ continued Gloria after having momentarily stood up to take a look at the steaming hot gourmet food that sat in the pans. ‘I couldn’t avoid it – it was either God’s truth or my transgressions, His foundation or my folly. I had to choose as I could see that there was no in-between option.’

‘That’s what Andrew once told me,’ interjected Tim while he took two dinner plates out of one of the top rosewood cupboards. ‘He told me about a doctor who had told one of his patients that he would have to choose – either to do what was right and live or carry on living the way he was living and die!’

‘That seemed rather harsh,’ said Gloria, half recoiling at the thought of it.

‘It was hard counsel to give,’ said Tim, ‘but through the clarity of the information, the patient knew the severity of it all – there was no playing games!’

‘What was the outcome?’ asked Gloria with reserved interest.

‘The patient listened to the doctor,’ replied Tim, having briefly stopped to look at Gloria. ‘Through pain and perseverance, turmoil and trial, he followed through with the counsel and came out the other end of the press strong and sound, with an energy and endurance that he had never before in his life experienced. Anyway, continue on,’ said Tim, seeing that his mother had been derailed by the interjection, as she appeared to contemplate it all.

‘Yes,’ said Gloria, lifting her head after gathering her thoughts. ‘The part for me that was the hurdle was getting over your father. Oh how I hated the man, and oh how my hate for him had sullied my own soul, but Tim, I tell you the truth—’

Gloria hesitated as her emotion welled up inside her.

‘I tell you the truth, Tim,’ continued Gloria. ‘What your father did to you and I was nothing in comparison to what I had done to Jesus. What I came to realise was that God’s one act of love for the world included me. He took my pain, He took my sorrow, He took my rejection, and although I was holding it all to His charge as well, I actually didn’t have a leg to stand on – I had no justification for it. Firstly, because He had not done it. It was my sin that had caused it. Secondly, because He had paid the price for what I had done and covered all aspects. For the first time in my life I fully understood it and was prepared to recognise and acknowledge it.’

Tim once again stopped what he was doing and looked at Gloria.

‘I realised,’ said Gloria, ‘that it wasn’t the Jews alone who had sent Jesus to the Cross, but I had done so as well. My wickedness had laid the crown of thorns on His head, my sins had sent Him up the Calvary road, my iniquities had driven in the nails, and my evil had caused him to cry out.’

Gloria seemed a little shaky as she relived the very revelation of the night before that had led her on the road to the foot of the Cross of Calvary.

‘My husband had valued me so little that he walked out on me,’ said Gloria, carrying on, ‘yet God valued me so much that He gave His only Son for me – and I was rejecting Him! I had made my own foundation for salvation, and it was all based on me! I realised that the only thing I’d done was made myself a slave to sin and folly.’

Gloria paused as she seemed to dive into deep contemplation.

‘How I’ve been so wilfully blind,’ suddenly groaned Gloria, ‘but probably because of not wanting to acknowledge my part in my own mess – my rebellion against God in the first place. My resentment against God wasn’t because of what He did but because of what I had done. My troubles weren’t because He had troubled me but because I didn’t take the time to concern myself with Him!’

‘It’s amazing how the truth sets free when we recognise it and are prepared to accept it!’ said Tim, having briefly waited before speaking to make sure that he was not going to interrupt Gloria.

To Tim, it was remarkable how God had revealed it to his mother, and how He had exposed a small aspect of her life that had had such a large and profound impact in its outworking. This in itself had now explained a spiritual aspect to him that he had not known.

‘I suppose you’re right, Timothy Nicholls,’ said Gloria contemplatively, a look of deep thought on her face. ‘Well, that’s it in detail.’ Gloria got up to help Tim dish up, not wanting the delicious food to get cold.

For a short time the only sound coming from the kitchen was that of stainless steel serving spoons being gently knocked against ceramic bowls. In no time at all, Gloria and Tim’s blue and white round dinner plates were brimming with bright colour, a good variety of healthy, delectable foods and a multitude of tantalising smells. Each of them also had a heaped side plate of salad already waiting for them.

‘I’m amazed,’ said Tim as he and Gloria sat down at the side counter, ‘truly amazed. God seems to have revealed an aspect of His glory and salvation to you in a way that no-one else could have.’

‘My decision was sincere, Tim,’ said Gloria, who was about to enjoy a soft, succulent piece of haddock. ‘And I didn’t make it rashly or light-heartedly!’ Gloria suddenly put her fork, with the tasty fish on it, back down on her plate and looked at Tim as if in a dilemma.

‘What’s the matter?’ asked Tim, not able to spot anything wrong with the food or his mother.

‘Do you say a prayer for your food before eating?’ queried Gloria.

‘Yes,’ replied Tim quizzically, and then he began to chuckle as he read Gloria’s face. ‘I’ll pray aloud from now on for the food the Lord has blessed us with.’

Gloria’s expression eased, and for the first time in her life that she could remember – other than as a mere child – she willingly lifted her heart to the heavens and with gratitude joined in Tim’s prayer of thanksgiving to the Lord God. The two of them then sat quietly and ate to their hearts content, just enjoying without hassle or haste the flavoursome provision that was laid before them.

‘There’s one other aspect that I have yet to mention to you,’ said Gloria while they were washing up afterwards.

‘Oh!’ responded Tim, leaning down and packing the ceramic cooking dishes in the cupboard beneath the centre counter. ‘And what’s that?’

‘Due to my brief cry earlier,’ said Gloria, ‘as a result of your response to me in the face of what I had said to you about—’

‘Oh, don’t worry about it,’ interrupted Tim as he stood up.

‘No, wait,’ moaned Gloria, ‘let me finish. I had told you that you were daft to entertain fantasy visions, but what I haven’t yet told you is that half of my cry was because I also saw that stained glass window myself – the beautifully decorated one with the picture of the cross and the man kneeling before it. After I had prayed, accepting Jesus as my Lord and Saviour, the baggage that had previously been there was gone!’

‘I don’t believe it!’ exclaimed Tim in amazement. ‘You’re kidding me!’

‘I kid you not,’ replied Gloria in earnest. ‘God gave me the same visionary picture that He gave you, and I had actually forgotten that Kelly sent me a scripture message today which said, If the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed. ² – it’s the absolute truth!’

Chapter 4

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The supporting hand

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It was a warm morning as Tim drove along, the now long since risen sun driving its rays deep into the heart of the town and countryside. A stiff offshore breeze was blowing and shifting the upper bodies of the trees lining the main road to Ailensbury University to and fro as it whistled and whirled by. It was also catching Tim’s hair in the process, as he had his side window down, making his hair look worse than the bedraggled tree tops the stiff breeze had at the mercy of its breath.

Tim had four weeks to go before the final examinations of his final year in structural engineering began. In fact, this was the case for Andrew, the Harris twins and Judd as well for the respective courses they were studying. The grand graduation ceremony on the university’s sports fields was starting to peep over the top of the horizon, in itself a motivation to work hard and press through. Tim still had a lot he wanted to go through in his study materials, although he was already well prepared, and he had a project that he and Judd had to complete before the exams began. His conscientious efforts had stood him in good stead once again, but he would still not let down his guard until it was all over.

As Tim drove along however, he dwelt not on his tasks at hand but on the decision Gloria had made and their conversation the night before at dinner time. He knew deep down inside that it was not going to be easy for her at times, and that plain sailing would be confined to the normally calm and tranquil Ailen Oak Lake. He knew also that he himself had many aspects to grasp and lessons to learn, and it kept his feet firmly on the ground, but he felt that where he could, he needed to be a support and helping hand to her. He understood though that Gloria was twice his age, and due to her circumstances would likely face different issues, but she was a determined lady and had a strong character, which he knew would either make her or break her, depending on what side of the table she placed her chips. If she humbly submitted under God’s mighty counsel, then she would most certainly make it; if she kept a resisting, rebellious spirit, then she would most certainly make a mess of it.

Tim saw this in himself and chuckled with sober perspective, knowing where he got this character trait from. However, he understood that from what his mother had told him the night before, her conviction was real, her conversion was true, and her commitment was sincere. The fact that she had such a character meant that she had needed these aspects to be firmly cemented in from the beginning in order to take the first step forward. Tim was very grateful that they had been, for he knew that she had seriously considered the aspect carefully and not made the decision lightly.

The revelation that God had given Gloria about Himself, and about herself too, left no doubt in Tim’s mind that the Lord knew how to deal with his mother and meet her in a way that would get through to her. Apprehension seized him though, and his internals did a quick back flip as he turned into the campus parking lot and scouted for any remaining shaded parks.

‘God knows how to deal with my mother,’ thought Tim. ‘In His mercy, He has clearly demonstrated His power to do so, but she still has to be the one who moves forward. She still has to make the decisions, and she still has to submit herself to His authority in all things.’

Tim found an open park that was in the sun but knew from experience that within an hour it would be covered with shade.

‘Dear Lord God Almighty,’ prayed Tim while he brought his cream sedan to a halt in the parking bay. ‘I need your mercy and help every waking moment of the day and every sleeping moment of the night, so does my mother. Please see us both safely through, and may you be patient with us. In Jesus’ precious name I ask, amen.’

After putting up the vehicle’s sun shield, Tim grabbed his black varsity bag and was out in the open air in seconds. He locked his car and began to amble along in no hurry. The first task on his agenda for the day was to meet Andrew in 10 minutes at the cafeteria adjacent to the campus’ dining hall that was utilised by the resident students.

As Tim continued slowly along, the stiff breeze causing his shirt to cling to his chest and maintaining its will upon his hair, he let out a heavy sigh as he looked up to the heavens. His apprehension for Gloria that had earlier seized him suddenly gave way to a quiet confidence as he stopped looking at the choppy water below his feet and looked into the face of the Lord Jesus, taking the Lord’s hand that was outstretched before Him, beckoning him to take hold of it. Tim’s spirit now rested – Christ had become his courage and confidence, his strength and support.

When Tim arrived at the cafeteria, he briefly peered inside just to see if Andrew was perhaps already there and to see how busy it was. Andrew had not yet arrived, and as Tim had thought, the cafeteria was almost empty due to the present time of the day. Tim remained outside, waiting for Andrew under one of the five dark-green, arched shade covers that shielded the windows. He did not have to wait long, for Andrew himself was a little earlier than expected.

‘I see that you’re a little early as well,’ said Andrew cheerfully as he drew near, a broad and animated smile on his face and an energetic bounce in his step. 

Tim could not help smiling as he saw Andrew bouncing towards him as though on top of the world.

‘Hey, Andy old boy,’ greeted Tim good-humouredly and stuck out his hand towards him. ‘So you’re finally engaged; my absolute congratulations to you and June.’

‘Thanks again, Tim,’ responded Andrew as he shook his hand vigorously. ‘To say that I’m truly pleased at the moment is an understatement.’

‘And so it should be,’ agreed Tim, who gave him a quick embrace and patted him lightly on the back. ‘June’s a most wonderful girl in every respect. You have every right to be pleased and every other man jealous.’ Andrew just laughed heartily as the two of them turned to enter the cafeteria. 

Andrew was Tim’s cousin and the son of Kelly Renshaw, Gloria’s younger sister. He was relatively tall, slim but well-built, quite athletic looking and had honey-brown hair. He was always one for the outdoors, and whenever the opportunity afforded it, he would not be found anywhere else. He was studying biology at Ailensbury University, following in the footsteps of his father who was a microbiologist. He was a twenty-two year old young man of sound upbringing and steady character. Through the faithful and diligent teaching and efforts of his parents, and his own preparedness to listen and learn, he had become a stable and sensible young man who, for his age, exhibited a maturity, not in the wiles of the world but in the understanding of the ways of the Lord and the wisdom of His Word. For Tim, Andrew had been both directly and indirectly, knowingly or unknowingly, not only a close friend but also a strong support – ever faithful, ever sincere and always prepared to tell him the truth, even when it was difficult to do so or may have been seen to cause hurt.

As the two lads entered the cafeteria, little did Tim comprehend that the outstretched hand that only minutes ago had lifted him from his apprehension had also on many occasions over times past, both recent and long-past, been the same ever-merciful, ever-caring and ever-faithful supporting hand that mainly through others, particularly those close to him, had helped him – be it the gut wrenching side show at Down and Out’s that had shocked him into reality, as he saw before him the potential of what his life could be in twenty-five years’ time, should he turn back to his old road; or be it June and July’s faithful words given to him during a round of miniature golf at Munchkin’s Theme Park; or