Read Online The Selfless Act by Wanda E. Brunstetter - Free Book Online Page B
Authors: Wanda E. Brunstetter
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him in the right direction.
Joel winced, feeling a stab of regret. His parents and sisters—especially Doris—had tried to make him see the error of his ways, but he’d ignored them and done his own thing.
I wonder how things would be for me now if I hadn’t rebelled.
He gripped the steering wheel as a car passed him, going much too fast
. If I’d stayed Amish, I wouldn’t have met Kristi. Maybe I was meant to be with Anna, but of course, I botched that up, too.
Joel thought about the choices people made and how one simple act or decision could change the course of a person’s life. His decision to go English had certainly set his life on a different path. If he’d remained Amish, he wouldn’t have been so desperate to make money so he could acquire worldly things. It wasn’t that modern things were all bad, but putting material possessions ahead of family and always striving for more made people selfish and greedy. He wondered if his desire to own the Corvette had been purely to make him feel good about himself. When Joel had been out driving the car and people admired it, he’d felt proud of himself for owning something so nice—something the average person couldn’t afford.
He didn’t care about that anymore. He wanted to live a normal life, make a decent living, and someday find a sweet, Christian wife.
I almost did,
he reminded himself.
But she’s out of my life now, and I need to quit dwelling on it. God’s given me another chance, so I have to keep my focus on living a life pleasing to Him.
Charm
Joel stepped onto his dad’s porch and was surprised when Aunt Verna opened the door. “I sure didn’t expect to see you here this evening.” He gave her a hug.
“I arrived this afternoon.” She opened the door wider and let him in. “After you hang up your jacket, join me in the living room, where your sisters are waiting.” She patted his shoulder.
Joel was even more surprised. When he’d received Elsie’s invitation for supper, he’d assumed it would only be him and her family. Having the rest of his family together this evening would be even nicer, though. He looked forward to more gatherings like this.
Coming into his father’s house and looking around, he felt different on the inside—better.
I’m sure my daed would be pleased to know that the stipulation he put in his will helped me pull out of a downward spiral.
Bringing his thoughts to a halt, Joel placed his jacket on a wall peg and entered the living room, where Arlene, Doris, and Elsie sat on the couch. They were talking about Aunt Verna getting some new hearing aids. His sisters sounded thrilled, and his aunt said she couldn’t wait to use them so she could hear like a kid again. There was no sign of his sisters’ husbands, though, or any of their children.
“I’m glad you could make it, Joel. We’ll eat supper after we’ve had our meeting.” Elsie pointed to the recliner where Dad used to sit. “Please, take a seat.”
He did as she’d requested, and Aunt Verna took a seat in the rocking chair.
“Where’s everyone else?” Joel asked, looking around.
“The kinner are upstairs, and the men, including Glen and Blaine, are in the barn. They’ll come inside as soon as we call them,” Arlene replied.
Aunt Verna cleared her throat, before looking at Joel. “Your sisters have told me about the money you gave them from the sale of your fancy car.”
He nodded.
“They also said you’ve had a change of heart and apologized for all the hurts you have caused your family.” She kept her gaze steadily on him.
Joel rubbed the bridge of his nose, hoping he wouldn’t break down. He still felt deep remorse for all the things he’d done in the past. “I made my peace with God, Aunt Verna. I’ve committed my life to Him and want to do things better from now on.” He glanced at his sisters, all looking intently at him. “When I gave out those checks, I didn’t expect anything in return. And if I don’t get
Joel winced, feeling a stab of regret. His parents and sisters—especially Doris—had tried to make him see the error of his ways, but he’d ignored them and done his own thing.
I wonder how things would be for me now if I hadn’t rebelled.
He gripped the steering wheel as a car passed him, going much too fast
. If I’d stayed Amish, I wouldn’t have met Kristi. Maybe I was meant to be with Anna, but of course, I botched that up, too.
Joel thought about the choices people made and how one simple act or decision could change the course of a person’s life. His decision to go English had certainly set his life on a different path. If he’d remained Amish, he wouldn’t have been so desperate to make money so he could acquire worldly things. It wasn’t that modern things were all bad, but putting material possessions ahead of family and always striving for more made people selfish and greedy. He wondered if his desire to own the Corvette had been purely to make him feel good about himself. When Joel had been out driving the car and people admired it, he’d felt proud of himself for owning something so nice—something the average person couldn’t afford.
He didn’t care about that anymore. He wanted to live a normal life, make a decent living, and someday find a sweet, Christian wife.
I almost did,
he reminded himself.
But she’s out of my life now, and I need to quit dwelling on it. God’s given me another chance, so I have to keep my focus on living a life pleasing to Him.
Charm
Joel stepped onto his dad’s porch and was surprised when Aunt Verna opened the door. “I sure didn’t expect to see you here this evening.” He gave her a hug.
“I arrived this afternoon.” She opened the door wider and let him in. “After you hang up your jacket, join me in the living room, where your sisters are waiting.” She patted his shoulder.
Joel was even more surprised. When he’d received Elsie’s invitation for supper, he’d assumed it would only be him and her family. Having the rest of his family together this evening would be even nicer, though. He looked forward to more gatherings like this.
Coming into his father’s house and looking around, he felt different on the inside—better.
I’m sure my daed would be pleased to know that the stipulation he put in his will helped me pull out of a downward spiral.
Bringing his thoughts to a halt, Joel placed his jacket on a wall peg and entered the living room, where Arlene, Doris, and Elsie sat on the couch. They were talking about Aunt Verna getting some new hearing aids. His sisters sounded thrilled, and his aunt said she couldn’t wait to use them so she could hear like a kid again. There was no sign of his sisters’ husbands, though, or any of their children.
“I’m glad you could make it, Joel. We’ll eat supper after we’ve had our meeting.” Elsie pointed to the recliner where Dad used to sit. “Please, take a seat.”
He did as she’d requested, and Aunt Verna took a seat in the rocking chair.
“Where’s everyone else?” Joel asked, looking around.
“The kinner are upstairs, and the men, including Glen and Blaine, are in the barn. They’ll come inside as soon as we call them,” Arlene replied.
Aunt Verna cleared her throat, before looking at Joel. “Your sisters have told me about the money you gave them from the sale of your fancy car.”
He nodded.
“They also said you’ve had a change of heart and apologized for all the hurts you have caused your family.” She kept her gaze steadily on him.
Joel rubbed the bridge of his nose, hoping he wouldn’t break down. He still felt deep remorse for all the things he’d done in the past. “I made my peace with God, Aunt Verna. I’ve committed my life to Him and want to do things better from now on.” He glanced at his sisters, all looking intently at him. “When I gave out those checks, I didn’t expect anything in return. And if I don’t get
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