Read Online The Selfless Act by Wanda E. Brunstetter - Free Book Online
Authors: Wanda E. Brunstetter
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Elsie moved closer to the table. “What is it you planned to give me, Joel—another gift to try and sway me to say you’ve done something selfless?” She removed her sweater and hung it over the back of the chair next to her.
“It’s nothing like that.” He motioned for her to sit down, then reached into his pocket and handed her a check.
Elsie’s mouth formed an O. “One hundred thousand dollars? What’s this all about, Joel?”
Speaking calmly, he explained about the fancy car he’d sold and how he’d divided the money three ways.
Elsie glanced at Arlene, then back at Joel. “Is this another attempt at getting your share of the inheritance?”
He shook his head. “Through the reading of some scripture, plus a lot of soul-searching and praying, I’ve committed my life to the Lord. I realize how selfish I’ve been all these years, and I want to make amends.” Joel paused and clasped his sisters’ hands. “I can’t begin to tell you both how sorry I am for all the hurtful things I’ve done in the past. But it’s going to be different from now on, starting with this money I’m giving you. I expect nothing in return—no strings attached, like I said to Doris and Brian a while ago. I don’t care anymore about whatever Dad wanted me to have.”
“Are you
anscht?
” Arlene could hardly believe the things Joel said. He’d been living for himself so long, with no regard for any of them, it was hard to accept that he could have changed. But the Bible was true, and lives were transformed when people accepted it and put God’s principles into practice. If Joel truly had surrendered his life to Christ, then the slate was wiped clean, and he could begin anew.
“I’m very serious.” Joel’s eyes filled with tears. “Will you both forgive me?”
Arlene looked at Elsie, and when she nodded, they spoke at the same time. “I forgive you, Joel.”
“My change of heart and repentance goes beyond the money I gave you both,” he said. “Elsie, as you know, I make my living building and remodeling, and I plan to help as much as I can with rebuilding a house for you and your family.”
Elsie’s eyes clouded as she squeezed Joel’s hand. “Danki. Your help will be most appreciated.”
He looked at Arlene and smiled. “From now on, I want to spend more time with everyone in my family. Will that be all right with you?”
“It’s more than all right.” A sob caught in her throat.
Thank You, God. Joel’s become the brother I’ve always longed for, and I feel sure he’s truly had a change of heart.
C HAPTER 8
Charm
T he next Monday, Arlene and her sisters got together in the evening to talk about Joel.
“I think our bruder was sincere when he gave us those checks,” Arlene said as the three of them sat at the kitchen table in Dad’s old house. “He seemed genuinely repentant for neglecting all of us, too.”
“I agree. I’ve never seen Joel with such a peaceful expression as he had when he visited us on Saturday.” Elsie went to the refrigerator and took out the Millionaire Pie she’d made. After slicing it and placing the pan on the table, she passed some plates to her sisters.
Doris smiled and took a piece. “Yum. This is one of my favorite pies.”
“Mine, too,” Arlene agreed.
“Getting back to Joel, when he came by to see me and Brian, I noticed right away how different he looked. He even spoke in a softer tone,” Doris said. “I think we should call Aunt Verna and let her know what’s happened. It’s time for us to take a vote.”
Arlene nodded. “I already know what my vote will be.”
Elsie pushed her chair aside and stood. “I’ll go out to the phone shack right now and give her a call. The sooner we get this settled, the better it will be for all of us.”
The following day, Elsie was dusting the living-room furniture when she heard a car pull into the yard. Going to the door, she was surprised to see Aunt Verna getting out of a van. The lady driver got out,
“It’s nothing like that.” He motioned for her to sit down, then reached into his pocket and handed her a check.
Elsie’s mouth formed an O. “One hundred thousand dollars? What’s this all about, Joel?”
Speaking calmly, he explained about the fancy car he’d sold and how he’d divided the money three ways.
Elsie glanced at Arlene, then back at Joel. “Is this another attempt at getting your share of the inheritance?”
He shook his head. “Through the reading of some scripture, plus a lot of soul-searching and praying, I’ve committed my life to the Lord. I realize how selfish I’ve been all these years, and I want to make amends.” Joel paused and clasped his sisters’ hands. “I can’t begin to tell you both how sorry I am for all the hurtful things I’ve done in the past. But it’s going to be different from now on, starting with this money I’m giving you. I expect nothing in return—no strings attached, like I said to Doris and Brian a while ago. I don’t care anymore about whatever Dad wanted me to have.”
“Are you
anscht?
” Arlene could hardly believe the things Joel said. He’d been living for himself so long, with no regard for any of them, it was hard to accept that he could have changed. But the Bible was true, and lives were transformed when people accepted it and put God’s principles into practice. If Joel truly had surrendered his life to Christ, then the slate was wiped clean, and he could begin anew.
“I’m very serious.” Joel’s eyes filled with tears. “Will you both forgive me?”
Arlene looked at Elsie, and when she nodded, they spoke at the same time. “I forgive you, Joel.”
“My change of heart and repentance goes beyond the money I gave you both,” he said. “Elsie, as you know, I make my living building and remodeling, and I plan to help as much as I can with rebuilding a house for you and your family.”
Elsie’s eyes clouded as she squeezed Joel’s hand. “Danki. Your help will be most appreciated.”
He looked at Arlene and smiled. “From now on, I want to spend more time with everyone in my family. Will that be all right with you?”
“It’s more than all right.” A sob caught in her throat.
Thank You, God. Joel’s become the brother I’ve always longed for, and I feel sure he’s truly had a change of heart.
C HAPTER 8
Charm
T he next Monday, Arlene and her sisters got together in the evening to talk about Joel.
“I think our bruder was sincere when he gave us those checks,” Arlene said as the three of them sat at the kitchen table in Dad’s old house. “He seemed genuinely repentant for neglecting all of us, too.”
“I agree. I’ve never seen Joel with such a peaceful expression as he had when he visited us on Saturday.” Elsie went to the refrigerator and took out the Millionaire Pie she’d made. After slicing it and placing the pan on the table, she passed some plates to her sisters.
Doris smiled and took a piece. “Yum. This is one of my favorite pies.”
“Mine, too,” Arlene agreed.
“Getting back to Joel, when he came by to see me and Brian, I noticed right away how different he looked. He even spoke in a softer tone,” Doris said. “I think we should call Aunt Verna and let her know what’s happened. It’s time for us to take a vote.”
Arlene nodded. “I already know what my vote will be.”
Elsie pushed her chair aside and stood. “I’ll go out to the phone shack right now and give her a call. The sooner we get this settled, the better it will be for all of us.”
The following day, Elsie was dusting the living-room furniture when she heard a car pull into the yard. Going to the door, she was surprised to see Aunt Verna getting out of a van. The lady driver got out,
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