Struggling with sin, forgiveness, the heart of Jesus and
your walk with the Lord? The following short story may help.
Blind Sinners
By Michael M. Murray
Part 3
About the Author
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Homosexuality Debate Resources
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Other Christian Places
Part 1,
Part 2, Part 3,
Part 4,
Part 5,
Part 6,
Part 7,
Part 8,
Final
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Afterward, they headed for the living room where the conversation also bounced from topic to topic. “Don’t repeat this, but I heard that Gloria Franklin had an affair with the police chief,” Carol said. “Really? I didn’t know,” Joan said. “I mean, how do you know? “My nephew Paul knows a guy at the shop who has a good friend at the police department. It’s such a small world.” “So that’s why they got divorced. I always wondered,” said Joan, who had a penchant for gossip. “Did you hear about Daniel Livingston? He’s gone into rehab – again – for cocaine.” “Now you don’t know that for sure,” Frank said. “I do.” Frank, who had been battling alcoholism for three years, excused himself for a few minutes. Most of the guests figured he didn’t want any part of the gossip. Actually, he just took a quick drink from the bottle of Scotch he hid in the attic. He used mouthwash to mask the smell before returning 10 minutes later. “Welcome back Frank,” Ben O’Dell said. “I was just telling everyone about our bowling league. I have the best average among everyone.” “That’s great Ben,” Frank said. “How many –" “Actually, I’ve been the best for the last four years,” Ben said, cutting off Frank. “I would have had it five years running except Scott Peterson – you know Scott – managed to change the numbers. I’ve always tried to be the best at everything I’ve done – starting my financial consulting firm, taking care of Peggie and the girls. I even won the state football championship in high school.” The room quieted a second as everyone decided what to say next. Finally Peggie spoke up. ”I have a confession to make. I was never the star quarterback like Ben when I was in high school,” she said, prompting some light laughter. “I’m so proud of Ben. Nothing against you, but he’s the best – absolutely the best. I don’t know what I’d do without him. He tells me not to worry about a thing, but I do,” she said, looking more at the floor than anyone nearby. “I worry about Jennie and Kristen and how they’ll do at college. Kristen enters JSU this fall.” Steve Blankenship, silent all evening, had heard enough the last few days. First, it was that TV show about drunk drivers. Then it was the stand-out youth – Jeremy Gates – who got a full-ride scholarship to Princeton. Then he stumbled across the Dear Abby piece on grieving. Just that afternoon, he saw another M.A.D.D. bumper sticker. And it all rushed through his mind and body like a wicked summer thunderstorm. He couldn’t hold back. “You’re lucky that they can both go to college,” said Steve. “Our son, Ryan, was killed by a drunk driver eight years ago. We had such hopes...” “I’m so sorry,” Peggie said, reaching her hand to her mouth. “Thank you. We appreciate it,” said Cathy Blankenship. “We don’t talk about it much. It hurts too much. People say time heals wounds; some wounds weren’t meant to heal.” “The bastard who killed him got two years in prison,” Steve said. “My son, who was riding on the sidewalk, was hit when that jerk drove off the road and, oh, God, plowed right – ”
“It’s OK honey, you don’t need to explain,” Cathy said. Is anger a sin? How does that stack up with homosexuality? |
During the dinner, the couples talked about the dinner, their families, their jobs and the neighborhood.