“I just
want to be
alone, can’t
you
understand?”
she had
pleaded. I
JUST WANT TO
BE ALONE!”
Little
Jordan’s
bottom lip
had quivered
so anxiously
when he
heard the
word:
“DIVORCE. ”He
knew that
word was
something
bad and he
was just old
enough to
understand
that it was
worthy of
tears.
“Mommy and
daddy…I
don’t ever
want to be
divorced,”
he had
begged. CJ
too, was
devastated...NEVER
EVER in all
his life had
he had any
intention of
going
through such
a
trial...let
alone bring
it upon his
child whom
he loved so
dearly. In
fact he had
resolved,
“It will
NEVER happen
to me.” But
now a year
later
sitting in
traffic...his
stereo
blares:
“Will
I stand
before you
Jesus or in
awe of you
be
still…will I
dance in
your
presence or
to my knees
will I fall?
I can only
imagine.”
The
song
continued,
tears
pouring as
CJ reflects.
The prior
Christmas
had been
really rough
on him and
his son as
they had
left for the
weekend only
to return to
an abandoned
home; a home
so full of
memories for
such a young
boy, the
only home he
knew. But
this year
there was no
Christmas
tree, no
festivities
and
everything
was
completely
moved out.
“Daddy, why
didn’t Jesus
answer my
wish?”
“What
wish was
that son?”
“That
mommy
wouldn’t
want a
divorce.
What did we
do wrong,
Daddy? What
did we do
wrong?”
Stuck
on the
interstate,
CJ was so
engrossed in
the song, he
continued to
reflect...Three
months after
the divorce,
he and his
son had
relocated a
few hours
south to a
place of
refuge to
start a new
life in a
small
duplex...a
very boring
life to
some…but a
very solid
routine for
Jordan and
his dad.
Each
night CJ
would come
home and
play catch
with his
son, talking
about life
and Jesus,
the hope to
come, and
how
important it
is to “love
Jesus” and
know
that
someday,
despite
every ounce
of heartache
experienced
that there
would be a
day that
they could
only
imagine:
When they
would stand
before Jesus
and be able
to live
together
forever and
ever, and
that it was
so important
for Jordan
to know that
Jesus and
Daddy love
him so very
much. CJ
could hardly
wait to get
home and
toss the
football
around…
After
what seemed
like a very
long time,
finally, the
cars slowed
down by
traffic
began to
move and
pick-up
speed.
Pacing fast
along the
interstate
CJ arrived
at his
destination,
picking up
his son from
school then
heading to
the driveway
by their
duplex where
the two
spent their
time playing
catch
(father and
son
bonding).
You would
have to have
been there
to
appreciate
how awesome
a time it
was.
Moments
after the
final toss,
they both
headed
inside to
share a meal
and talk
about
whatever was
on their
minds. In
the midst of
their meal,
little
Jordan
looked up at
his dad and
asked,
“Daddy, it’s
just you and
me, huh?”
“Yes son,
you and
me—and
Jesus.
“But Daddy,
what if
something
happens to
you? Tears
again fell
down CJ’s
cheeks
realizing
the
sensitive
and insecure
nature of
his son’s
question.
“Jordan
...if
anything
ever happens
to your
daddy...you
will
always
and I mean
always,
still
have
Jesus.”
“Yeah but
Daddy, what
would I need
to do to be
with you?”
CJ’s heart
began to
race so fast
that it
seemed to
rip right
through his
chest,
pounding
very
intensely.
“Buddy
listen, to
this: If you
have Jesus
in your
heart we
will always,
always,
always be
together.
That I
promise.”
In
the
background a
song began
to play,
“Here I am
to
worship...here
I am to bow
down...Here
I am to say
that you’re
my God.”
In
that
moment…CJ
began to
sense the
depth of his
son’s
question.
“Jordan...this
is a special
night
...please
listen to
your daddy.”
CJ
sat and told
his son all
about the
cross and
how very
important
Jesus’ death
was and how
three days
later Jesus
had risen
from the
grave, and
because of
that death
and burial
and
resurrection
that they
both could
have a sure
hope that
they too,
would get to
be together
forever and
ever.
Jordan spoke
up, “Daddy,
I want Jesus
to forgive
all my sins
and to save
me!”
And right
there in
that small
little
duplex, CJ
led his son
to the Lord.
It was such
an awesome
night...indescribable...tears
fell...joyful
tears to say
the least.
CJ and
Jordan had
been through
such
heartache
and had
experienced
such loss,
but NOT this
night. They
were filled
with such
joy and
peace.
Little
Jordan’s
head
comfortable
on his
pillow as
his eyes
grew heavy,
he asked one
last
question...
“You proud
of me,
Daddy?”
It
was 9:00
p.m. CST as
CJ began to
pull the
covers over
his son.
Leaning over
and kissing
Jordan on
the cheek he
said, “I’m
most proud
of you,
son.”
Then
a loud shout
came from on
high: “COME
UP HERE.”
They were
ready.
Footnote:
This is the
fourth in my
series of
short
stories,
Preludes to
the Rapture
collection.
Please feel
free to
download the
stories as
formatted
and use them
as
witnessing
material.
Tim Cameron
timcameron@centurytel.net