The Special Guest

By Gloria Davis

Sharon McCarthy and her friends loved Mrs. Ruth, as did her parents and the parents of her friends. Mrs. Ruth was an elderly Jewish Christian women, who taught Bible Lessons to these children every Saturday afternoon. However, only Sam and Lydia McCarthy, who were Sharons parents, had ever met this lady.

Sams coworker George Dickerson knew nothing about these lessons the lady was teaching and had to be encouraged to let his oldest son, Joey, attend. But eventually, about nine of Sharon and Joeys friends were involved in Mrs. Ruths home studies.

These children and their families were unique because they truly loved their God, their parents, and Mrs. Ruth. But later on everyone, including the teacher would be introduced to Obadiah, as he called himself and who was a very strange young man indeed, yet they all learned to love him deeply. The parents and other adults, too, felt sad and devastated when he suddenly left them one evening in a very fantastically strange way.

Who was this man, and where did he come from?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Xlibris US
• Release date: Feb 14, 2018
• ISBN: 9781543476521

Gloria Davis

Gloria Davis is a loving wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother who appreciates the value of love and life with family and friends. Her ability to capture moments in time through the lens of her camera and seize the often unnoticed beauty of nature with an old paint brush is shown on the cover of her first masterpiece, Unconditional. Written from her heart, memories surfaced of thoughts of her parents who gave her unconditional love. “They didn’t just talk the talk, they lived the walk. The love between them I saw every day and the love they gave me I felt every day. Much of the heartfelt moments and faith in this book I have experienced and the lessons taught are those I learned.” Gloria resides in Texas with her husband, Walt.

Book preview

Chapter 1

T welve year old Sharon McCarthy waited, but not very patiently outside the back door of Joseph Dickerson’s house. Both she and her eleven year old friend attended a small children’s Bible Study given in the home of a widow who also attended the church Sharon and her parents belonged to

Both of Sharon’s parents had given her their permission to go to these studies, even though at the time, they didn’t know a great deal about the widow herself, or what she was actually teaching the children. They did know however, that she was a strong born-again Christian who loved God with all her heart. They had met this lady, Mrs. Ruth, after services one Sunday and felt her to be a warm and friendly person. Therefore, when Sharon came home one afternoon and ask if she could start visiting Mrs. Ruth’s classes; her mother Lydia thought it a good and valuable activity for her daughter and after talking it over with her husband Sam, they both gave their permission.

But young Joseph’s parents felt differently, so Joseph had to attend these studies secretly. Although his parents were nice enough and also attended church, it was different than the one the McCarthy’s attended. Because of this, they were reluctant to have their son going, since they didn’t know exactly what was being taught and they had never met Mrs. Ruth.

When little Joseph Dickerson finally came through his back door, he seemed excited. "Hi Sharie! Come on, let’s go before my mom sees us! I didn’t bring my Bible this time because my mom has started sticking bible verses in it for me to memorize and she hasn’t done it yet today, so I’d better leave it this time. It is Saturday, isn’t it?"

Yes, Sharon answered, but why are you so happy today Joey?

Aw, don’t you remember? Mrs. Ruth said she’s going to have a surprise waiting for us this time!

Oh yeah! I wonder what it is, Sharon said, laughing. Say Joey, I know your mom and dad don’t want you to come to our studies, so where are you telling them you’re going? It’s not right to lie to them, you know.

Joseph’s face changed and his countenance seemed to darken. He shrugged, saying. I know, but I like coming to Mrs. Ruth’s classes. I’m not doing anything wrong.

But you are Joey! You’re sneaking off all the time and I’m starting to feel guilty too.

Joseph stopped his pace and turned so quickly to face Sharon that she was caught off guard and had to take a step back. His face reddened and he clenched his hands into fists. You don’t have to feel no guilt Sharie, he said, trying not to, but still showing his frustration. You can stop going with me anytime you want. I know the way and I can go by myself!

I want to keep going with you Joey! I just wanted to know where your mom thinks you take off to all the time.

Aw, she’s all right! I just tell her I’m going to the YMCA to play, to do crafts and stuff.

Oh, Sharon said quietly. But why don’t they want you to come to the Bible Class I wonder? They’re Christians, aren’t they?

I don’t want to talk about it no more Sharie. Just leave me alone about it, okay?

Sharon slumped her shoulders and swallowed. All right, she whispered, and they continued on their way to Mrs. Ruth’s.

Upon arriving at Mrs. Ruth’s home, they were greeted at the door by the lady herself. Mrs. Ruth was a slightly rounded figure, with a sweet smiling face and twinkling blue eyes. Her greyish blond hair was worn in a long braid that hung down on the right side of her plump face, just below her shoulder. She spoke with a slight accent, since she was from Israel, but her command of the English language was faultless. Hello there! she sang out, over the voices of the other five or six children already there inside. How are my favorite student’s today? Joseph and Sharon grinned from ear to ear, giving Mrs. Ruth a big hug together, then hurried inside to greet their friends. When everyone had had time to speak to one another, Mrs. Ruth asked that they all be seated in a circle on the soft carpet, as was their usual routine. Then she called for silence.

Today’s lesson, children, Mrs. Ruth began, will be about you!

Everyone looked at each other wondering, then again at Mrs. Ruth. One little girl by the name of Paula, who was a little younger than Sharon, raised her hand and asked, Is this the surprise you promised to bring us, Mrs. Ruth?

Not altogether was her reply, but it’s a part of the surprise. There arose an excited murmur from the children, as each young face showed the anticipation of what might be coming next.

Now, Mrs. Ruth continued, her blue eyes shining, "we are going to learn what the Bible teaches about children like yourselves. We’ll learn what Jesus taught, then we’ll learn what Paul the Apostle said about children. We’ll also see how your parents should treat you and how you should treat them. Afterward, we will have a Special Guest who’s come to visit with us today; a very Special Guest indeed!

All right then, said Mrs. Ruth smiling, let’s get our Bibles and we’ll open them first to the Book of Matthew. Do we all remember how to find Matthew, children? Everyone answered yes, and so Mrs. Ruth continued.

Let’s look now at the 19th Chapter, and then at the 14th verse. Here you’ll see what Jesus said to His disciples when they didn’t want children like you to be brought to Him. Mrs. Ruth read the scripture and asked if they all understood.

Yes, Sharon responded, as she raised her hand, we will all be in heaven.

Yes, you certainly will, said the teacher. But what it really means here, is that all of us must become as innocent as children. We must all realize that we don’t actually know much of anything. We have to understand that we’re never to judge others, but we must love them without fearing them and we must depend on Christ Jesus and follow Him, doing everything that God the Father tells us to do. You see, you’re already just children, she said, pointing to each of them, but all grownups like myself, must become God’s children.

Wow! Joseph said, in an amazed tone of voice. You mean adults have to act like kids?

Mrs. Ruth smiled and laughed softly. No, but we must become as little children in our attitude and have total dependence on God. We often have a lack of understanding, as children often do. But we can know that as our Father, God will always care for us. He will help us to understand everything and He will always be there to love and protect us, just like your own fathers do; yet even more so, since God is the true Father of all and to all who come to Him. He’s the true Father of your parents too, if they’ve come to know Him.

Then Mrs. Ruth told the children what the Apostle Paul wrote in Ephesians concerning obedience to their parents and about honoring their father and mother, so that they might stay well and live long. She also mentioned a verse in Colossians, about obeying their parents in all things, because it was pleasing to the Lord.

Well then, a boy said loudly, with a disgruntled look on his face, we have to be good and mind our parents, but they can be mean to us if they want to, right? That’s not fair!

All the children turned to look at this young man, then at Mrs. Ruth for her response.

What is your name again, child? Mrs. Ruth asked, as kindly as she knew how.

Kenny, answered the boy, who still looked rather upset. Mrs. Ruth rose from her seat and approached Kenny and stopped in front of his small frame. She smiled widely and said, No indeed, Kenny! Parents are not supposed to treat children meanly or roughly, especially if they themselves are God’s children.

Kenny stood up and cried out to Mrs. Ruth, amazing the whole class. Well, mine do! I don’t know if they’re God’s children or not, I just know that they’re sometimes real mean to me!

Mrs. Ruth bent over and took Kenny’s hand and led him away, out of the circled group. She gave him a big hug, and said, Kenny dear, I’m sure your parents don’t mean to treat you unkindly and I’m sure they do love you. But I think that at times they may forget what the Bible teaches when it tells fathers not to anger or irritate their children. They aren’t to annoy or cause you to be discouraged and I think you’re feeling a little discouraged right now. But Jesus will help you and He’ll help your parents too, to show you just how much they really do love you. I know that you love them too Kenny, really you do! This is just a lack of godly understanding on both sides I think. I’ll pray for you and the class will pray too. In just a moment you and the rest of the class will meet someone who will in time help you and your parents to heal.

Chapter 2

T hat Saturday as Samuel McCarthy worked overtime, on his job at Healthsure Insurance Company, he prayed silently, please heal me of these feelings of discomfort, Lord. He held his breath then let it out again, as George Dickerson strode toward him and the others having lunch in the modest cafeteria there at Healthsure Insurance Company, where he worked. Sam was just one of the healthcare agents there, but he often felt tired of his job.

George Dickerson on the other hand, was a new employee working as one of the company’s computer technicians. Unlike Sam, George loved his new position and felt he was somewhat special because of it. George was a little too talkative, at least to Sam’s way of thinking. George seemed to like to boast some, not only about his work there, but about everything at which he felt himself proficient, such as camping, sports and landscaping.

Sam was a quiet sort of fellow who enjoyed interesting conversation. Although he also had talents like carpentry, house painting, and some landscaping techniques like George, he also just liked to listen to what others had to say, thereby learning new things on various subjects. But he also felt comfortable enough to interject a few ideas of his own into any conversation with friends, family, or even strangers.

Hello there, George! Sam ventured, being first in greeting the newcomer, as the others at the table followed suit. Are you getting used to this place and your routine around here? he asked.

Sure thing! George responded with a smile. It took no time at all to remember which floor a particular office or unit was on. I’m sure glad about computer and office machine technology. If I knew nothing about them, I’d be up a creek fast, at least for holding my position here I mean. But there’s always other types of employment if you have the skill and knowhow, right!

I’m sure you’ve got that quite right, said a young lady in somewhat of a condescending tone, who was sitting next to Sam. Sam tried to make sure that Jennifer’s tone had gone unnoticed by George, who was now enjoying his hamburger and not really hearing the sarcasm in the women’s voice.

Yes, it’s good to know more than one thing, Sam agreed, as friendly as was possible, but wishing he’d said something else, but unable to think of anything more pleasant to say, to someone like George.

Say, Sam! George said, looking toward Sam. I’d really like to speak to you, if you have some time later. I mean if you don’t mind, it concerns a little problem I’m having.

Sam felt a cold sensation in his chest, followed by a little heat. He reddened some and hoped no one else could see his distress. Why on earth would this guy want to talk to me about anything? Especially any problem he might have, he thought.

Well, sure George, he heard himself say, but not knowing exactly why. Sure, but I don’t know if I’ll be able to help with whatever it is. Maybe Matt here, or even Jenny could help more than I could.

Sam felt badly now that he was trying to pass the buck and involve the others at the table. Lord, forgive me, he silently prayed again, but why me? Why did he pick me?

So that I can heal you Sam, as you’ve asked. And I’ll begin to heal George too! Something inside of him seemed to speak quietly to his heart.

Mrs. Ruth had felt shaky and a little fragmented before her class began and prayed, asking the Lord if it was really His will that she invite a stranger into her home filled with children and let him address her class as he’d asked. It’s all right! I will begin a work in this place and it will then spread to even more places, Mrs. Ruth heard something seem to say. But now, near the end of her Bible Study, she stood up before her small group and clasping her hands together, she smiled once more and asked her little circle if they were ready to meet their Special Guest.

A unanimous yes rang out, filling the room with an excited stir. Mrs. Ruth gestured with her hand toward the back of the room where a door was already partially ajar.

Then class please welcome, Mrs. Ruth said, with a tremble in her voice, Mr. A. Obadiah, our guest for today!

From within the room in the back, stepped a tall figure of a man. And as he came through the open door toward the teacher and the children, he had a wide radiant smile on his face. He stood next to the lady and faced the circle of children. Then Mrs. Ruth again looked at her group, who seemed to be awed now with muted surprise, mingled with disappointment, expectation and quite a bit of misunderstanding. The young man, for he was young, seemed to be a least twenty-three, or twenty-four years old at the most. He was dressed in a dark blue suit, a white shirt with a dark blue tie with white stripes. He had sandy blonde hair and greyish blue eyes. He was clean shaven except for a thin mustache, neatly trimmed and the same color as his hair. His skin was very smooth, but to Sharon as she watched him, he seemed a bit too white. She was thinking he could use a little Suntan Lotion.

Mr. Obadiah began to speak. Good afternoon children, he said with a strong, but melodious sounding voice. I’m here to meet all of you, so that we can begin to know each other.

Oh yes, chimed in Mrs. Ruth. Mr. Obadiah would like to spend a few weeks here in town and would like to visit with each of you personally one day of the week, but each of you on a different day.

Young Joseph looked at Sharon, but she only shrugged. Then he raised his hand to speak.

Yes Joey, said Mrs. Ruth, acknowledging his raised hand. What would you like to say?

I wanted to ask you how can Mr. Obadiah see each of us every day, like you said, when we only come here on Saturdays

Yes, said Mrs. Ruth, clearing her throat, I was about to get to that.

But, as she started to continue, Mr. Obadiah interrupted her and raised his hand saying: Please allow me, Mrs. Ruth. Children he began, First, because I want to be your friend, please address me simply as Obadiah. There’s no need to use Mr. I give you my permission. Will this be all right with all of you?

The children all looked at one another bewildered, but then all responded positively with a mixture of muffled incoherent noises.

Good then, smiled Obadiah. Class, the only way I can meet you and visit with each of you one-on-one, is by you coming here to Mrs. Ruth’s. What I mean is, one of you will come each on a different day, until I’ve met with the majority of you. There may be some of you that I’ll release from having to come, if you choose to not be involved. But, those of you who really want to take part, I’ll ask that we all meet together on Monday and then again on the following week, when you’ll begin to come just one at a time. I will let you know who is to come, and on which day.

How are we going to do that if we have to go to school, Obadiah sir? asked young Paula.

Yeah, broke in Kenny, who had now recovered from his earlier angry episode.

Obadiah motioned for silence, then said. Well children, the only right way is for you to ask your parents. You’re to ask them if you may attend two special sessions of this Bible Study, after your regular school day has ended.

Well what if our parents won’t let us Obadiah? Paula asked.

Yes, Sharon said.

Obadiah just smiled. Oh, I’m quite sure they’ll give you their permission. Perhaps not at first, but they will in the end.

The children again all looked puzzled, but said nothing. Then Obadiah warned them by saying: But you must be very sure to ask. I cannot and will not see you unless your parents–both of them-have given you their permission to come.

One child by the name of Steve said he had no father, so didn’t feel he wanted to take part. Obadiah reassured him with a smile and a wink that he didn’t have to be involved if he felt uncomfortable about anything, but that he was welcome if he changed his mind. He told the boy that if he did want to come, he must be sure to ask his one parent before coming.

Obadiah closed his conversation with the children by asking, Do I have your promise children; that you won’t try to come without your parents’ consent?

Everyone sang out, Yes we promise Obadiah!

Now Obadiah turned to Mrs. Ruth, who looked as befuddled as some of her class. Can you be at home during this time Mrs. Ruth? he asked in a calming and caring voice. I’d truly appreciate it if you would open your home to the children and me, for these meetings.

Oh yes of course, Mrs. Ruth managed to mumble. I’ll be ever so glad to do so!

Thank you dear lady, said the guest.

Then taking Mrs. Ruth’s hand in his and giving it a slight shake before bowing, he turned toward the front door to take his leave. Upon reaching the door, he gently opened it and as everyone sat watching, he just seemed to vanish. Even before he was seen stepping to the porch, he had disappeared.

Chapter 3

S am McCarthy made his way to the lunchroom after his shift ended on that Saturday’s overtime. He was in a strange mood–not fearful, but not quite himself. What would George need to say and what could he say in return? As he sat waiting and mulling over these thoughts, George Dickerson appeared in the doorway and walked across the room to where Sam sat. He drew up a chair and sat next to him.

Thanks for showing up Sam, George blurted out. I didn’t think you really would!

I’m here George, what’s up?

Well Sam, George began, I wanted to ask you about someone. Someone I hoped you might know a little better than my wife and I.

Oh! Sam responded with a look of apprehension on his face, while at the same time running a hand through his curly brown hair. Who is it that you’re speaking of?

George looked down at the table, a little embarrassed and undecided on how to continue. Well au, well Sam, I just wanted to find out how much you, or your family might know about this Jewish woman who’s holding secret sessions in her house? I know that some of the neighborhood kids are going over there and seem sort of captivated by whatever it is she’s telling them. I think your girl is one of the kids attending. Did you know about that?

Sam let out the gulp of air he’d been holding in, followed by a sigh of relief. Yes, George, I do know who you’re talking about, but I’m not into gossiping, or talking about other people, if you know what I mean!

Oh sure! Sure Sam, but I’m a father too! And I’m someone who cares about our neighborhood. I just wanted to know if you approve of your kid going there and if you might know anything about what sort of stuff this lady’s filling these kid’s heads with?

Oh, please George, you’re really on the wrong track here. First, these meetings as you call them, aren’t secret at all. Secondly yes, I did meet this lady. She attends my church and her name is Mrs. Clara Ruth.

George looked amazed for a second, then asked in a whisper, "Well, why