The Visitor

By Tony Sanchez

Have you ever wondered about when The Lord walked upon the land? Have you ever been faced with a life-changing situation that only he could understand? The Visitor comes into the lives of ordinary people bringing with him forgiveness, wisdom and hope.

• Language: English
• Publisher: iUniverse
• Release date: May 20, 2008
• ISBN: 9780595906109

Tony Sanchez

I?m a Christian who has a deep devotion to Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. I believe that all people should come to know his saving grace. I was born and raised in the lovely Land of Enchantment. After twenty years of travel complements of the United States Air Force and then seventeen wonderful years working for The American Express Company I decided it was time to move back to the place I Loved. I live in Las Maravillas just east of Los Linas.

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Copyright © 2008 Tony Sanchez.

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced by any means, graphic, electronic, or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, taping or by any information storage retrieval system without the written permission of the author except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews.

This is a work of fiction. All of the characters, names, incidents, organizations, and dialogue in this novel are either the products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously.

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ISBN: 978-0-5954-6315-2 (sc)

ISBN: 978-0-5959-0610-9 (e)

iUniverse rev. date: 04/03/2018

Contents

The Visitor

A Miracle For Bernadette

The New Apostles

The Winds Of Change

The Innocence Of Life

And Justice For All

The Children Of Light

The Sinners Prayer

This book I dedicate to Ruthie, who helped me bring The Love Of David to sad and hurting world.

Tony Sanchez

The Visitor

The Lord said, If ye had faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye might say unto this sycamine tree be thou plucked up by the roots ,and be thou planted in the sea;and it should obey you. Luke 17vs6.

Emma Ramsey gazed out the window, as an uneasy look flowed across her face. She was a tall thin women with a nice figure who liked taking her exercise by walking across the green hills (that were not to far from the house). The snow was falling harder. Staring out into the yard, she could see that it was beginning to pile up. Although, only thirty-seven, she felt much older. Lifting up the hand held mirror that she kept in the kitchen drawer, she saw her light blue eyes had a dull tired look to them. Too much work and not enough rest, she whispered, pinching her pale cheeks trying to bring some of the rosy red color back.

How much longer is it going to snow? she wondered, pulling back the blue lace curtains that hung loosely across the kitchen window. Gazing out at the snow, it made her think of her past and how quickly the years had gone by.

Has it really been twenty years? How could that be? she asked, as the fluffy white snow flakes kept falling. It was starting to stick as little mounds of snow began covering the dark brown patches of ground. Mrs Emma Ramsey, that did have a nice ring to it. Was I really in love when I got married? she asked. Who ever knew for sure, she thought, suddenly feeling very lonely inside.

Going to the cupboard, she took out a bag of lemon spiced tea. Taking one of her favorite tea cups, the one with the lovely hand painted blue flowers, she filled it with steaming hot water from the kettle on the stove. Lifting it up, she could smell the spice mixed with lemon. It made her feel good inside, bringing comfort to her soul.

The house that she and her two children lived in was modest at best. It was better then the small apartment in Raleigh. That was small, she said, making her cringe as she thought about how slight the two bedrooms and kitchen were. "This house was large with its three bedrooms and small separate cottage out back. She had a large kitchen with lots of storage space and a two car garage that was attached. She always had to laugh when Rebecca, her eight year old, first walked in.

Wow!…Mommy, this place is a castle. Are we really going to live here? she asked.

Yes darling, this is our new home, she remembered saying while Robert, her husband along with Michael, her fourteen year old, moved the furniture in. There wasn’t much to move in, since Robert lost his job at the foundry. He had worked there for ten years but that didn’t mean much in the end. Robert had always been a good provider, a good Christian man who never strayed spending as much time with his family as he could.

Staring out at the million falling snow flakes, she began to think of him and his last day at home. Suddenly, she felt very lonely. Opening up her bible she read Psalm 71: "In thee, oh Lord, do I put my trust;let me never be put to confusion. For thou art my hope, oh Lord God:thou art my trust from my youth."

It seemed like such a long time ago, she thought, slowly sipping the tea making her feel warm inside. It was springtime and the Dogwood was in full bloom. The North Carolina pines were tall and green. Their long thin branches were spreading out as cool westerly breezes, gently rustled their newly formed pine cones causing some to fall gently to the ground. How well she remembered it, the sticky sweet smell of Dogwood and Pink Honeysuckle. There had been a family of Blue Jays that had built their nests in one of the lower branches of the trees.

Her husband Robert, was a tall thin men with dark green eyes and light brown hair. He also had one of the gentlest smiles of any man she had ever known. That night, as they sat down to supper all of Robert’s frustrations seemed to boil over.

It’s just not right! he complained bitterly. How do they expect a man to feed his family is what I want to know? he asked, walking to the ice box taking out a cold beer.

Robert! Do you have to drink now? At least finish your supper, your food is getting cold.

Listen, I don’t need you telling me when to drink and when not to. You would think that a man who puts food on the table for his family could get a cold beer when he wanted to.

You know that I didn’t mean that, Emma said walking up to him placing her arms around him.

I know sweetheart, he said, suddenly feeling heartbroken as he looked into her clear blue eyes. You know how much I love you. It’s just hard that’s all. I mean a man losing his job and not knowing how he is going to feed his family.

We’ll be all right, she said, squeezing his hand knowing how bad he must feel yet unable to help him.

The Lord will provide and take care us. He always does.

I know!I know! it’s just that I feel so helpless, he said, holding onto her tightly. There’s something I need to talk to you about," he said, wondering how he was going to tell her.

What is it darling? she asked, feeling the warmth of his body as she clung to him.

"Fred Harris and a few of the others from work are planing to go out to California to look for jobs. Their leaving tomorrow and they want me to go. I told them that I needed to speak to you first.

Looking into his wife’s eyes, he saw so much love there. He knew what her reaction would be, but he had to try something. With no job, he hated the thought of going relief.

Robert! That is so soon, you can’t just leave us, she cried. Oh Robert, please don’t go, the children and I need you. What will we ever do with out you? I love you so much! I love you so much!, she kept repeating as the tears rolled softly down her face.

That’s alright darling, I’ll be back as soon as I can. You know I love you and the kids. I just have to find a way to make some money that’s all, he said holding onto to her tightly.

Oh darling, please just hold me, just hold me, she cried, as she felt his strong arms around her. Arms that had comforted her and been her refuge in times of stress.

Why did her heart ache so, she wondered. I’ll just have to be strong for the children’s sake, she thought, clinging to her husband, not knowing what the future held but trusting In The Lord. Our Father in heaven, I leave this in your hands. she prayed in her heart as she held onto Robert that last night.

Well, he did leave, and as she looked out at the freshly fallen snow she couldn’t help but worry about him. Was he getting enough to eat? Who was going to take care of him if he got sick.? Who would iron his clothes and mend his socks? It was funny, how all these silly little thoughts went through her head. Well, I guess their not that silly, she said, after all she had been his wife for the last twenty years. He had always been the bread winner, and she the faithful homemaker.

He didn’t write often, but he did send money. It wasn’t a lot, but it was enough for Emma to keep the family together. Now the town of Spring Creek, with a population of thirty-five hundred, was not unlike the many hundreds of other small towns that populated the green hills of North Carolina. Like most small towns, everyone knew everyone’s business or thought they did. It was not long before the talk began.

She tried not to pay any attention to it, but after Michael came home from school with a swollen eye, she knew she had to put a stop to it. Since everyone went to the First Baptist Church, she thought about speaking with Reverend Albert. Not a bad idea, she thought, at least it would be a start.

On the following Monday, after grocery shopping, she decided to stop by to see him. Should I make an appointment first, she thought. Well, he did say to stop by and see him anytime we needed him. I guess this is as good a time as any, she whispered, as she drove to the front of the church and parked. Her hands felt moist with perspiration as she held onto the steering wheel.

The office was in the back of the main building. As she got down from the station wagon, the dark heavy gray clouds seemed to be lifting with speckles of warm yellow golden sunshine starting to sparkle and shine. She felt grateful, for the warm sunshine that was trying to filter through. Her face felt cold as she walked up the sidewalk. I just know that this the right thing to do, she told herself, walking into the office.

Betty, Reverend Albert’s wife, was sitting at the desk outside his office. She was an attractive women, small in stature, with large brown eyes. She was wearing a plain white blouse and tan skirt. She hardly wore any makeup but was one of the few lucky ones who never needed it.

Hi Emma, I just got through talking to him, she smiled. He’s got some free time. You may go in.

Thank you Betty, Emma said walking into the office.

Emma, how delightful to see you, Reverend Albert said (walking from behind his desk, and shaking her hand). How are the children?, nothing wrong I pray.

No…nothing wrong, at least not yet. There is something that I must speak to you about.

Of course, please have a seat, he said, motioning toward the chair in front of his desk. The office was small with green carpet covering the floor. There was a large picture window that looked out upon the church. The desk was black walnut with a Bible and a picture of his wife and children in the center.

She had always liked Reverend Albert. He was short in stature and thin with clear gray eyes and dark receding hair.