Part XXII:

Contemplations

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     And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.  For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters.  And those he predestined, he also called; those he called, he also justified; those he justified, he also glorified.  ~Romans 8:38-30

     It was Friday afternoon.  Alex and Reuben sat at a picnic table in the community park eating the lunch Maria had packed for them.

     "I appreciate you coming out this morning and helping me hull that debris out of here.  It would have taken me all day to do it myself.  Tomorrow Maria and I are packing the kids and visiting the in-laws for the day.  I want to pack it in early so I will be rested for the trip." 

     "If Maria keeps packing lunches like this I may need to find an excuse to help you more often," Alex declared while savoring a bite of his roasted pork sandwich.  "Hey, how did that talk with Junior go?  With how things ended the other night I got the impression I wouldn't need to talk with him afterall."

     "Good.  That night Maria and I also prayed again and he seemed to really get it when we discussed it the next day.  He even told us about this girl that he likes." Reuben was very pleased that his son had opened up to them.  He and Maria grew up in families that shared openly and they also wanted their kids to feel comfortable talking openly with them.

     "So you did tell Maria that night." 

     "Bro, I hadn't planned on it but Maria knew something

came up when we all walked in together.  She said it all looked like it turned out fine and we didn't mention it so thought it could wait until later.  She started quizzing me when the kids had gone to sleep and we were in bed." 

     "Maria is a smart cookie Reuben, not too much gets by her," Alex noted.

     "You're telling me, she rarely misses a beat." 

     "Must be that special radar God equipped women with for child rearing." 

     "Yes, it's great but sometimes I wish it came with a remote that had reception control.  It's like she has this big hi-fi antenna coming out of her head and she can watch all the channels at the same time or switch to one for finer reception.  I can't get away with much, even when she's not around," Reuben grieved.

     Alex chuckled before adding, "Well thank God someone can keep up with you.  God knew what he was doing when he paired the two of you."

     Reuben thought it over for a minute, "You know, I think you're right."

     "You know I'm right and you know you love it."      

     "This is true.  You know I adore Maria but even when she's at her cousin's house with the kids sometimes I can still hear her voice in my head, 'Reuben! Reuben! Enough with them sports and come help me with the yard.'  I can't even enjoy a game at home alone because her voice haunts me."

     "Shut up," Alex said in disbelief.  "You're all talk Reuben.  You're a whipped man."

     "Seriously Bro.  Then I start to feel all guilty and to shake it off I find myself yelling, 'I work all week, let me watch the game!'  And I hear her answer back, 'You work all week, I work 24 hours a day, 7 days a week raising your kids, you have to do better than that.'  It freaks me out." He then shook himself as if trying to rid himself of an unpleasant memory.

     Alex nearly choked on a mouthful as laughter rose from his belly. 

     "Speaking of women," Reuben continued, "You still seeing the girl tomorrow?"

     "Yes, she's going to meet me at the cafe."

     That brought a large smile to Reuben's face.

     "What?!"

     "Bro, did you hear me say something because I didn't," he replied innocently.

     "Well it is an odd occurrence for you not to have an off-the-wall comment," Alex teased, "But you didn't have to say anything, that was a loaded smile."

     "Appears my friend, you have a built in antenna too.  Hey, I wonder if this Sarah can read minds."

     'What do you mean?" Alex asked with much interest as he put aside his sandwhich.

     "Well, you say she sees alot and she must have a built in antenna too.  I wonder if she can also read people's thoughts."

     Alex thought it over for a moment, "Oh God, I hadn't thought of that. Now why did you have to bring that up?" 

     At seeing the good laugh Reuben was having at his expense, he then asked in reproof, "You get a kick out of this, don't you?"

     "I'm telling you Alex, we have to find that reception control!"

     "You're a troublemaker Reuben.  I don't know how Maria puts up with you."  Alex then turned back to his sandwich.

     "Speaking of troublemakers, did you know that Jim approached me yesterday to apologize for that whole incident?"

     "Did he now?" Alex was pleased.  "He apologized to me too."

     "I know.  He said some blind, crazy Cowboy took him for a wild ride...helped him see the light."

     Alex almost choked again as they both burst out laughing, "You know, you could wait until I've swallowed my food first, I just about choked!"

     "Oh, sorry bro." Reuben then offered him a napkin, 

"You're drooling."

     "Give me that!" Alex yelled as he snatched it from his hand and wiped his mouth.  

     After a brief pause Reuben continued, "You know Alex, I was thinking..."

     "Oh God help us." 

     "Seriously bro."

     "Do you even know what that word means?"

     "Sure I do, you know that."

     "Well can you blame me?  You're like the boy who cried wolf sometimes."

     "I'll give you that one," Reuben acknowledged before continuing, "I really believe that whole incident the other day was God's timing.  I mean think about it, there we had just finished discussing those things when Dolly knocked on my door and gave me the news...and look what came of it.  Junior was very receptive during our talk with him. Jim's going around talking about seeing the light. It had to be God.  As the scriptures say, God works all things for good to them that love Him and are called according to his purpose.  He's really establishing my faith in some trying circumstances as He continues to show Himself faithful."

     Alex thought it over for a moment. "You know you always do this to me Reuben."

     "What did I do now?"

     "You take me for a wild ride and then you cross the finish line with some really wise words."

     "It's your fault, you're rubbing off on me."

     "Funny, I remember saying the same thing to Jim about you."

      "Is that a good thing?"

     "A very good thing my friend, a very good thing."

     Reuben was clearly touched, "Bro, I feel the same way too."

     Catching the emotions in his voice Alex flashed him a suspicious look, "You're not going to hug me and start crying about how much you love me again, are you?  I allowed it the other day for the benefit of your son but that's where I draw the line."

     Reuben then purposely opened his arms wide and threw them around his shoulders, "I love you man."

     "Yeah, yeah, me too," Alex said before shrugging him off. "Now get off of me before someone sees us!  That's all they need, more fuel for their fire."

     "No kidding," Reuben laughed while pulling back.  "Hey, have you seen Bill yet?"

     "No. I wanted to talk to him and the others after that evening but by the time I got back to my neighborhood they had already cleared out.  I thought I'd catch up with Bill later but have yet to run into him.  I've considered tracking him down but the timing hasn't felt right."

     "There is alot to be said for God's timing."

     "Yes there is," Alex agreed wholeheartedly.  "If someone isn't experiencing Godly sorrow the door of their heart may not be open to another perspective, and change, and it can take time for the Lord to work on that. I sensed that door open with Jim that day and walked on through it.  There is a difference between Godly sorrow and guilt.  Guilt is found in the way of old and brings condemnation and death.  It's reserved for the carnality.  Godly sorrow is found in the new where relationship established in Father's love results in a change of heart, or shall I say it allows the Holy Spirit to express the love of God already poured out in our new man in Christ.  Foremost it is grieving for the things that grieves the Heart of God, and on a secondary level, what grieves others too.  So, mi amigo, we've got to see about them guilty feelings haunting you when you're alone trying to enjoy a game."

     "You're right," Reuben acknowledged wide-eyed as he recognized the truth in it. "Something you know but you can miss it when it's happening.  Hey, I almost forgot to tell you, I invited Jim to sit with us at the Superbowl party this Sunday.  I don't know if he'll show though as he still has a bone to pick with the law and knows they'll be there. I didn't think you'd mind."

     "Not at all.  What Jim needs is some real meat on those bones, but all in time Reuben, all in time...I think that was really good of you to invite him."

     "Thanks.  Anyway, I better be going before Maria starts to call.  I can already hear her calling in my head and it won't be long before my cell starts ringing," then half jesting he added, "Maybe I need some deliverance from that voice in my head? You think I need an exorcism?"

     "From what, guilt or an addiction to sports?"

     Reuben chuckled, "Maybe both."

     "Maybe, or maybe you just need to get on home and help your wife pack, then get some rest."    

     "Yea, you should make it a short day too, you know, so you'll be rested for your date with the girl."

     "You know I may just do that...and it's not a date...well, not that type of date."

     Reuben shrugged, "Call it what you want, just remember to listen for the music and enjoy the dance."

     Alex nodded, "Give Maria and the kids my love...and thank her for lunch.  Tell her it was muy sabroso."

     "Alright, you know she's already planning a dinner for the two of you."    

     "Too soon Reuben, too soon!" Alex emphasized while chuckling at her eagerness.

     "Okay, but you know this is her thing and I won't be able to hold her off for too long..."

Part XXIII:  Hope Floats