Read Online A New Dawn Over Devon by Michael Phillips - Free Book Online

thought, and the lessons from God’s voice had become painful necessities because she had waited so long to listen.
    Amanda walked out of the barn back into the sunlight and slowly made her way toward the cottage. She found the others busy over a bit of lace Catharine had brought to ask Maggie about.
    Amanda smiled wistfully to herself. She wondered if it was too late for her to learn such things. Hearing her footsteps coming through the open door, they glanced up and Amanda turned what remained of her smile toward their faces.
    â€œI am so sorry about Bobby, Grandma Maggie,” she said. “It is one of my deepest regrets that I was away and out of the country when—” Again the tears began to flow. “I am . . . sorry about so many things.”
    Maggie walked forward and took her in her arms. They stood a moment or two until Amanda had regained her composure.
    â€œRegrets are part of life, dear,” said Maggie, stepping back. “We all must live with difficult memories because no one lives a perfect life. The pain helps us grow.”
    â€œSometimes it is almost more than I can bear.”
    â€œI know, dear. But it will lessen, and you will be stronger for it. We all must also learn to go forward with thankfulness in our hearts.”
    â€œI cannot imagine ever being thankful for what I have done,” said Amanda.
    â€œPerhaps not for that,” rejoined Maggie, “but you can be thankful for how God will use it, and bring good out of it in the end.—But come, the tea is ready. Let us go to the sitting room.”
    As they walked out of the kitchen and into the largest room of the house, Amanda noticed again the oak secretary built by Maggie’s great-grandfather, where, as Maggie had shown them a few months earlier, she had discovered the deed to Heathersleigh Cottage.
    â€œGrandma Maggie,” said Amanda as she sat down, “do you remember the day when I came for a visit, and you told me about your grandmother’s favorite Bible verse?”
    â€œIndeed I do,” replied Maggie, handing each of the girls a cup of tea.
    â€œI had a pretty sour disposition, as I remember,” said Amanda. “Of course back then I think I always did—”
    â€œNot always,” interjected Catharine. “We had a lot of fun together. I have very happy memories of playing together.”
    â€œThat is kind of you to say, Catharine,” said Amanda, turning a smile toward her sister. “But I often was grumpy, and I’m sure Grandma Maggie remembers even if you do not. But what I was saying is that your speaking of the mystery of the kingdom that day, and the passage from Mark 4, had a double meaning, didn’t it? You were trying to help me see the mystery of the kingdom of God. Yet there was also the mystery of your bureau and what was hidden inside it.”
    â€œWhich even I hadn’t an idea about at the time,” said Maggie.
    â€œAnd how this cottage passed out of the family and to the bishop,” Catharine added.
    â€œWhich I have put right in my will,” concluded Maggie. “Do not forget, girls, that when I die, this cottage will again belong to you and your mother.”
    â€œPlease, Grandma Maggie,” said Catharine, “don’t you talk of dying. You are as healthy as ever and will be with us at least another thirty years.”
    â€œAh, Catharine, my dear,” Maggie chuckled, “when a body gets to my age, one begins to feel that moving on to the next life isn’t such a worrisome thing. Speaking for myself, I do not want to live another thirty years! In any event, all I ask is that once in a while the two of you enjoy a cup of tea together here and remember your grandma Maggie and grandpa Bobby, and that they loved you and your brother and your dear father and mother as if you were all our own.”
    â€œOh, Grandma Maggie,” said Catharine, “that is so sweet. Of course we will