An Adventure by Nancy Martin

 "Whose car is this?"  Matthew asked at the start of the 20-minute ride from the Central Texas Children's Home to our house in north Austin.

"It's Nancy's car," Steve replied.

"Do you have a truck?"  Matthew asked.

"Yes," nodded Steve.

"Can we go for a ride in it?" Matthew asked, hoping for another positive response.

"Yes, but it doesn't have air conditioning." Steve answered, thinking that would discourage Matthew.

"Does it have any windows?"  Matthew asked, showing Steve that no air conditioning is not an obstacle.

"Yes," Steve nodded again.

After a short pause, Matthew concluded, "Well, then, that's good enough."

Little did Matthew know that the 1978 Ford pickup is one of Steve's most prized possessions.    And Steve was delighted that Matthew was interested in his old truck without air conditioning. 

Matthew Kent is just an ordinary 7-year-old kid who brought sunshine into the lives of my whole family, including Steve and our two daughters, 21-year-old Sarah and 18-year-old Alison.

When the Central Texas Children's Home called us and asked us to take care of Matthew for a week, we were excited about an opportunity to help, but were also a little nervous.  We were far removed from 7-year-olds and didn't have much experience with boys, but we were ready for an adventure.  In preparation for Matthew's arrival, we searched the closets and attic for toys that would appeal to a 7-year-old boy.  We found a wooden truck, a couple of balls, and a few board games.   We were glad when we first saw Matthew and noticed he had a stash of toys with him, including his favorite teddy bear, a suitcase full of Hot Wheels, and his mask, snorkel and fins. 

When we picked up Matthew on Sunday afternoon, he was ready to go.  The conversation about Steve's truck was a brief part of the series of questions that Matthew asked us.  He talked and talked, almost non-stop.  "Are we there yet?  Do you have any children?  I like to swim.  I have a bicycle. Look at that police car.  Is this where we turn to go to your house?"  We got to know each other in record time.

After a quick bite to eat, we were off to church.  This Sunday through Wednesday nights, Westover Hills Church of Christ was having our annual Family Bible Adventure, so Matthew was delighted to go to the "circus" to have fun, learn new songs, and participate in kid-friendly activities that teach and reinforce Bible lessons and principles.  Alison was one of the teens in charge of his group, so she kept tabs on him throughout the evening.  She reported that he was one of the most active kids, giving up refreshment time for more time on the playground.  Matthew was still full of energy when the "adventure" was over.  He wanted to climb on the carrousel horses, to explore the magician's props, and to play with the helium balloons. Finally, I told him it was time to go, taking his limp hand, gently tugging and explaining we would come back the next day. When he saw Steve approaching, he perked up and ran to him, grabbing his hand.  He was finally convinced that we really did have to leave.

The first comment Matthew made when we got in the car, "I'm not sleepy.  I want to stay up late."  Isn't that what all kids who are his age say?  I had kind of forgotten that.  Bedtime arrived after a bath, snack, video, and a few protests and reminders, "Do I really have to go to bed?  I need the hall light on, and don't forget to leave my door open all night."

              Matthew wanted to say a chain prayer when we tucked him in.  Matthew's prayer was so sweet and sincere.  He thanked God for the good time and new friends.  Steve continued, thanking God for Matthew's visit and our safety.  I ended with, "Dear Lord, be with our friends and family, and be with Matthew's friends and family. In Jesus name, Amen."

 To my surprise, Matthew blurted out, "Why are you praying for my family?  They're mean." 

My heart sank.  I did not know what to say.  I realized at that moment what obstacles Matthew must overcome every day.  He seemed like an ordinary 7-year-old boy, but ordinary 7-year-old boys that I know have two loving parents.  My heart was heavy as I thought what Matthew must feel like, knowing his parents are unwilling/unable to take care of him.  I knew Matthew had been living at Central Texas Children's Home for four years.  I felt like it took me an eternity to mumble a response to Matthew. And what I said was true, but I still wonder how a little boy like Matthew can understand when grownups, like me, have a hard time understanding and explaining.  "Well, Matthew," I said, "even if your parents and family are mean, we still want God to be with them."

This isn't the end of the story.  It is just the beginning.  Over the next five days, Steve, Sarah, Alison, and I began a relationship with a precious boy.   It is more blessed to give.  We gave of our time, and we received Matthew's love and trust and enjoyed being a part of his life for a few days. Was I ever amazed and happy when Matthew told me he loved me!  And I love him.  I pray I am able to continue to be a part of Matthew's life and that I am blessed by more adventures with Matthew and other children like Matthew.

Note:  At the present time, the Central Texas Children's Home needs houseparents.  God may be calling you to be a part of Matthew's and other children's lives.  Call Tom Seay at 512-918-2824 for more details.   

 This article is copyrighted by the author. All Rights Reserved. No part of this article may be reprinted without permission of the author. ©Copyright 2002

The Watch
By Susan Meyers

Hannah looked down at the watch she cradled gently in her right hand and unconsciously bit her bottom lip. It felt silly to be crying over a thing, an object that had no feelings to love her back.

She sat at her dressing table as the fading light day peeked softly through the shades of the window behind her, reflecting a golden glow in the mirror in front of her. Reaching forward she turned on the lamp.

Pale pink light shimmered in its beaded shade, making her features seem softer, almost girlish looking. She didn't care to look at herself; however, she'd only turned the lamp on to see the watch better. It had a slim, silver band; the kind that had been popular a little over 30 years ago. It had been the first anniversary present Jack had ever given her. Her first thought had been "how extravagant," but the glow in his eyes as she'd took it out of the first real jewelry box she'd ever opened, had precluded her from chastising him.

"Can't have the teacher being late for school, can we?" He'd said with that little crooked grin of his. They'd eaten beans and cornbread for the rest of the month, but neither had complained. They were young and starting their life together. Deep love made everything seem romantic. Now after 32 years the watch had stopped. Hannah supposed that was a long time for a watch to run especially one that had not been expensive by most people's standards. She supposed it had gotten tired, the way people did, and just didn't want to wind up and start anymore. "Forgive me, Lord," she whispered, "I know dwelling on what I no longer have seems so ungrateful in the light of all that you have given me."

Martin entered the bedroom and as if somehow sensing her mood, did not turn on the main light, but instead walked over and laid his hands lovingly on her shoulders. "What is it, love?" Why are you crying?" "Nothing." She quickly wiped at the tears that still gathered in her eyes. "It's just a silly nothing."

She could smell his aftershave as he leaned over her head to see what she held in her hand. "Is something wrong with your watch?"

"It just stopped running, that's all." She tried a short laugh. "Kind of like the old man's grandfather clock in the song, huh?"

He rubbed her shoulders, feeling the tension bundled up in them. "A morbid thought, if you really think about it. I hope its not ticking the years of your life."

"Of course not." She laid the watch down on the table. Then reaching up with both hands, she brought his face down so she could kiss him. "It was just marking sentimental time, not real time." She explained after letting him go. Carefully picking up the watch back, she opened a small drawer and put it inside. She then shut the drawer with finality. "I need a new watch anyway. One I don't have to wind every morning. That was so old-fashioned."

But he understood. "It won't be the same as having the watch Jack gave you." It wasn't a question and she didn't take it as one.

"Nothing last's for ever, right?" She stood up and linked her arm in his. "Come on, I'm in the mood for a nice, long walk."

Later that evening as Hannah took her shower, Martin took the watch out of the drawer. He held it in his palm and stared down at it. His emotions were mixed. Hannah had been married to Jack for 20 years and widowed by him for four more before she had married Martin. Although she never gave him any reason to feel she loved him less than dearly, he'd always felt second best to Jack. There was no doubt in his mind which husband she would be with if she had a choice. But that knowledge hadn't stopped him from loving and cherishing her for the last 4 years. "Dear God," he whispered, "please help me not to be selfish. I am so thankful for her, please help me to be a big enough man to show it. In Your Son's name, Amen." He put the watch in his pocket.

Her garden had always been one of Hannah's favorite places. Out there among the rosebushes, with the sun shinning bright overhead, she could feel completely happy and at peace. Adjusting her wide brimmed gardener's hat, she pulled off her gray work gloves and surveyed her pruning. Just a little more off the left side, she decided.

"Hello."

Turning, she smiled up at her husband, her eyes squinting slightly as the sun hit them. "Hello, yourself. I thought you and Rick were rebuilding that old dilapidated sailboat today?" Rick was her son by Jack. Martin and Rick had been rebuilding a weathered, broken down boat for two years now. Hannah had closet doubts that it would ever be seaworthy, but she understood that like her roses made her happy, the boat made Martin happy. It also pleased her to see Martin finding a place in Jack's life.

"I'm going over later," Martin explained as he eased himself onto the ivy colored wrought iron bench that decorated the garden. She noticed he had developed a little bit of a potbelly. Of course, if she were honest with herself, she had the start of one also. They would just have to get firmer when it came to avoiding fattening foods. She liked the thought of them growing old together and fervently sent up a quick, silent prayer thanking God for the chance.

Martin reached into his pocket and then held a smallish black box out towards her.

Hannah's heart constricted as she realized it was a box for a watch. He had bought her a watch. She smiled in the face of his anticipation, but her hand trembled as she took it. It would be cruel to try and explain that it was just too soon.

She gave a small gasp as she saw it. The gasp turned to a half-sob as she covered her mouth. "My watch," she whispered, "it's my watch." He nodded.

"But how?" She reached out and fingered the face. Martin shrugged. "It really wasn't that hard to get it fixed." He didn't tell her how much had paid the jeweler to completely remake the insides of the watch. He also didn't tell her how much prayer had gone into it as he struggled with his own insecurities. "I know how special it was to you to have the watch Jack gave you."

"And you gave me." She looked up, her eyes shinning. "It's from you andJack now. Thank you."

He grinned. "You're welcome."

He helped her put the watch around her slim wrist. It circled her arm like a memory - the memory of the past and the promise of the future.

  James 1:17. "Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above."

This article is copyrighted by the author. All Rights Reserved. No part of this article may be reprinted without permission of the author. ©Copyright 2001

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