A SON IS GIVEN: A MOTHER'S TESTAMENT

By Paul Winder

Two athletic young men, Mark Brown and Josh Hodges, co-captains of their college swim team, flaunt their affection for each other. They feel it is wholesome and nothing for which to be ashamed. This behavior is noticed by others, especially church members, some of whom are less than tolerant.

Mark’s parents, Doris and Frank Brown, are devout Christians and deeply troubled by Mark’s lifestyle. They consult with Assistant Pastor Dan only to learn that the church regards homosexuality as a sin and that homosexuals are believed to be possessed of the devil.

Doris and Frank also reach out to a psychiatrist who attempts to “help” Mark. In their quest to learn more about their son’s orientation, they attend PFLAG (Parents and Friends of Lesbians and Gays) meetings, talk with others, and research the subject on the Internet and at their library.

A tragedy occurs that causes Doris to make a dramatic stand.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Lulu Publishing Services
• Release date: Jul 6, 2016
• ISBN: 9781483450728

Book preview

Bible

PROLOGUE

Devout Christians, Doris and Frank Brown, become deeply troubled when they learn that their son Mark is gay. Mark attends college where he is very popular, maintains an A average, and is co-captain of the swim team. The Browns consult with their church leaders only to learn that the church’s rigid stance against homosexuality has not evolved with the times.

They also reach out to a psychiatrist who attempts to help Mark. In their quest to learn more about their son’s orientation, they attend PFLAG (Parents and Friends of Lesbians and Gays) meetings, talk with others, and research the subject on the Internet and at their library.

However, nothing can prepare them for the tragedy that occurs when someone acts on a literal translation of scripture.

CHAPTER 1

A T THE SWIMMING POOL of Indiana University, the crowd suddenly becomes electric, standing up and cheering loudly. A swimmer struggles to keep the lead as his coach and a friend, Josh, cheer him on. Josh yells, Go, Mark! Go, Mark! You’ve got the lead!

Mark, obviously struggling, inches ahead of his closest competitor. As Mark reaches the end of the pool, he throws his arms high with a shout of victory. The crowd wildly cheers his win, breaking the tie for first place to a one-point overall victory for his team.

The voice on the loudspeaker announces, What a fantastic ending to this five-college meet! It was Mark Brown in lane two who broke the tie between Sandhill College and Eastern Illinois. Two outstanding athletes are the cocaptains and clear leaders of their college team. Josh Hodges and Mark Brown are both six two and twenty-one years old. They are the highest-scoring members of their team and are frequently seen giving tips and encouragement to other team members. In great physical form, they glide through the water with ease and grace.

Mark’s teammates gather by the pool’s edge, huddle, and give shouts of rejoicing. They break up into smaller groups and head into the shower room. At this point, Josh runs up to Mark, gives him a hug, and pats him on the back. As he does so, they pull apart and face each other.

Josh shouts, You did it, bro! You did it! I’m so proud of you.

A modest Mark replies, Well, you helped me train for this.

The boys face each other and gaze intently into each other’s eyes. The gaze remains fixed for what seems a very long time. The coach comes by and says jokingly, "Okay, girls, into the showers. We have a long bus ride ahead." With that, the boys head into the shower room.

CHAPTER 2

L ATER THAT NIGHT on the bus, Mark and Josh sit together. The other team members have quieted down. Mark falls asleep with his head on Josh’s shoulder. As the interior bus lights dim, Josh maneuvers his arm around Mark’s shoulders.

Mark awakens as the bus stops at a red light. He looks awkwardly at Josh as he realizes Josh’s arm is around him. Josh is aware that Mark is concerned. Removing his arm from around Mark’s shoulder, he says, I felt you’d be more comfortable. Besides, my arm was going to sleep.

Mark sits up and lets out a laugh. Well, we wouldn’t want your right flipper to fall off, now would we?

The bus wends its way through the night, and the team members rest in various positions of sleep and partial wakefulness.

CHAPTER 3

A FEW DAYS LATER, people gather on the grounds of a neighborhood church. On that sunny, tree-lined street in a typical suburban area, groups of people, families, and couples walk slowly toward a moderately attractive church building. As one family gets out of its car in the church parking lot, a brother and sister play pranks on each other and are corrected by their mother. A teen couple kiss secretly behind the church.

The church is partly full. Church members stand in groups or mill about. Some are seated. The organist arranges her music on the organ, and a deacon places fresh flowers near the pulpit.

In a classroom in the building, an adult Sunday school class is in session. Between twenty and twenty-five people are in attendance. Pastor Meeks presides. Frank and Doris are there. Class members also participate.

Pastor Meeks is a tall, elderly, humble man. He speaks in a moderate tone yet with deep conviction and compassion. He acknowledges Frank’s presence, since he is frequently away. Frank, it’s good to have you with us today. Doris, of course, you also.

Pastor Meeks begins the lesson. A very brief overview of the Bible reveals that the Old Testament focuses upon the law by outlining God’s standards for us to live by and showing us our shortcomings. No man, woman, or child could perfectly keep that law. Animal sacrifices were given because the shedding of blood redeemed us and reconciled us with our God.

Members of the class appear attentive; over the years, they have come to revere Pastor Meeks. He continues. "The New Testament reveals Christ as the Lamb of God, slain for our sins. Christ became sin for us so that we might be forgiven and reconciled to God. This act ushered in the era of love. Think of the Old Testament as being law and the New Testament being love.

As Christians, we keep God’s law not because we have to, or just because Almighty God says, ‘Thou shalt,’ but out of love and gratitude for what Christ has done for us. Christ narrowed down the old Mosaic law of the Ten Commandments to two essential ones: ‘Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind,’ and ‘Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself.’

A class member inquires, Does this mean that the Ten Commandments are no longer valid?

The pastor replies, Not at all. When we are redeemed through Christ’s blood, we want naturally to obey the law. You see? Look at the Ten Commandments. They basically tell us two major factors: how God wants to be worshipped and how we are to treat each other.

A bell sounds to dismiss the class.

CHAPTER 4

I N THE CHURCH AUDITORIUM, parishioners gather for the worship service. Many stand in groups, conversing. Among the crowd, Assistant Pastor Dan stands out: youthful, exuberant, and clearly sucking up to parishioners by lavishing phony compliments on them. In the background, organ music permeates.

Church members take their seats. Pastor Meeks stands at the pulpit lectern. The pastor addresses the congregation. In continuing our current series of sermons regarding getting along with others, I wish to use as my Bible reference the Gospel according to John, chapter seven, verse thirty-two—the words of Jesus: ‘Judge not according to appearance, but judge righteous judgment.’ How often we are quick to form an opinion of others or a situation without knowing all the facts.

Members of the congregation show varying degrees of attentiveness. A child sitting on a grandmother’s lap plays with keys. A young couple looks shyly at each other—oblivious to the sermon. An older man nods, obviously fighting slumber.

Pastor Meeks continues. "So we see God’s wish