everything different,” Joel muttered as he sat in the parking lot of the lawyer’s office, staring out the window while mulling things over.
Just what kind of a good deed am I supposed to do? I can’t imagine what so-called selfless act would meet with my sisters’ and Aunt Verna’s approval. What in the world was Dad thinking? Did he do this on purpose to get even with me for leaving the Amish faith? Or was it because he didn’t like me coming to him a few times and asking to borrow money?
Joel sagged in his seat, rocking back and forth.
If I didn’t need money so bad, I’d walk away from this and let my sisters have everything.
He frowned as the truth of the situation fully set in. If he walked away and refused to comply with his father’s wishes, then Elsie, Arlene, and Doris wouldn’t get their share of the inheritance, either. It was a catch-22. He needed to talk to someone about this—someone who could help him sort things out and come up with a deed his sisters and Aunt Verna would agree was a selfless act. If he could do that, they would all get their money, and everyone would be happy.
Joel reached into his pocket and pulled out his phone. He’d try calling Tom first; maybe he’d have some good advice. If not, then he might try Kristi.
Charm
“You seem quiet today,” Aunt Verna commented as she and Elsie sat at the Chalet in the Valley restaurant, having lunch. “Are you
umgerennt
about your daed’s will?”
“I’ll admit I’m upset. It’s an impossible situation.”
“In Luke 18:27, Jesus said, ‘The things which are impossible with men are possible with God.’” Aunt Verna placed her hand on Elsie’s arm and gave it a few gentle pats. “You must have the faith to believe your bruder can change and become the man your daed wanted him to be.”
Elsie sighed, toying with the napkin in front of her. “We all want Joel to change, but unless he gets right with God, he will never set his selfish desires aside and learn to truly care about others.” She picked up her cup of tea and took a drink. “My other concern is that one of my sisters, or even me, will become so desperate for money we’ll accept whatever deed Joel may decide to do as good enough, just so we can get our share of the inheritance.”
“That will not happen because I will have the final word as to whether he has actually done a heartfelt, selfless act. Now let’s commit this situation to God and enjoy the rest of our lunch.” Aunt Verna smiled. “This meal is on me.”
Elsie knew better than to argue. Her aunt was strong-willed, just like Dad. When she made up her mind on something, it was best to let it stand. She only hoped Joel would come to his senses and do a good deed they could all agree upon.
Akron
Kristi sat beside Audrey’s bed, silently praying while she held the elderly woman’s hand. Audrey was going downhill so fast and was often unresponsive. It broke Kristi’s heart when she thought how sad it was that no one other than herself and the other staff members visited Audrey.
Last week, knowing how much her patient loved flowers, Kristi had bought a Christmas cactus in full bloom and placed it on the table beside Audrey’s bed. “Thank you,” Audrey had whispered tearfully. “You’re an angel, Miss Kristi.”
Kristi would make sure to water the cactus as needed and hoped it would continue to bloom all the way past Christmas.
Audrey’s eyes opened, and she offered Kristi a weak smile. “Oh, it’s you—my angel of mercy. How long have you been sitting here?”
Kristi glanced at her watch. “Fifteen minutes or so. I haven’t said anything because I didn’t want to wake you.”
Audrey lifted a shaky hand, letting it fall close to the edge of her bed. “You spend too much time with me. Don’t you have other patients to tend to?”
“Yes, I do, and they are all taken care of.” Kristi took Audrey’s hand, holding it gently. “You slept most of the morning, and I’ve been
Just what kind of a good deed am I supposed to do? I can’t imagine what so-called selfless act would meet with my sisters’ and Aunt Verna’s approval. What in the world was Dad thinking? Did he do this on purpose to get even with me for leaving the Amish faith? Or was it because he didn’t like me coming to him a few times and asking to borrow money?
Joel sagged in his seat, rocking back and forth.
If I didn’t need money so bad, I’d walk away from this and let my sisters have everything.
He frowned as the truth of the situation fully set in. If he walked away and refused to comply with his father’s wishes, then Elsie, Arlene, and Doris wouldn’t get their share of the inheritance, either. It was a catch-22. He needed to talk to someone about this—someone who could help him sort things out and come up with a deed his sisters and Aunt Verna would agree was a selfless act. If he could do that, they would all get their money, and everyone would be happy.
Joel reached into his pocket and pulled out his phone. He’d try calling Tom first; maybe he’d have some good advice. If not, then he might try Kristi.
Charm
“You seem quiet today,” Aunt Verna commented as she and Elsie sat at the Chalet in the Valley restaurant, having lunch. “Are you
umgerennt
about your daed’s will?”
“I’ll admit I’m upset. It’s an impossible situation.”
“In Luke 18:27, Jesus said, ‘The things which are impossible with men are possible with God.’” Aunt Verna placed her hand on Elsie’s arm and gave it a few gentle pats. “You must have the faith to believe your bruder can change and become the man your daed wanted him to be.”
Elsie sighed, toying with the napkin in front of her. “We all want Joel to change, but unless he gets right with God, he will never set his selfish desires aside and learn to truly care about others.” She picked up her cup of tea and took a drink. “My other concern is that one of my sisters, or even me, will become so desperate for money we’ll accept whatever deed Joel may decide to do as good enough, just so we can get our share of the inheritance.”
“That will not happen because I will have the final word as to whether he has actually done a heartfelt, selfless act. Now let’s commit this situation to God and enjoy the rest of our lunch.” Aunt Verna smiled. “This meal is on me.”
Elsie knew better than to argue. Her aunt was strong-willed, just like Dad. When she made up her mind on something, it was best to let it stand. She only hoped Joel would come to his senses and do a good deed they could all agree upon.
Akron
Kristi sat beside Audrey’s bed, silently praying while she held the elderly woman’s hand. Audrey was going downhill so fast and was often unresponsive. It broke Kristi’s heart when she thought how sad it was that no one other than herself and the other staff members visited Audrey.
Last week, knowing how much her patient loved flowers, Kristi had bought a Christmas cactus in full bloom and placed it on the table beside Audrey’s bed. “Thank you,” Audrey had whispered tearfully. “You’re an angel, Miss Kristi.”
Kristi would make sure to water the cactus as needed and hoped it would continue to bloom all the way past Christmas.
Audrey’s eyes opened, and she offered Kristi a weak smile. “Oh, it’s you—my angel of mercy. How long have you been sitting here?”
Kristi glanced at her watch. “Fifteen minutes or so. I haven’t said anything because I didn’t want to wake you.”
Audrey lifted a shaky hand, letting it fall close to the edge of her bed. “You spend too much time with me. Don’t you have other patients to tend to?”
“Yes, I do, and they are all taken care of.” Kristi took Audrey’s hand, holding it gently. “You slept most of the morning, and I’ve been
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