Beautiful in the Lord's Eyes

by Susan Kohler

  “I have an idea, Troy.” She smiled up at him. “Let’s give these two a ride. I can lead Ted and you can walk alongside and make sure no one falls off. Cassie would probably take the other side, just to be safe.”

  Cassie had walked over just in time to hear that. “I have a better idea. I can run up and get David to come out and videotape them riding.”

  “Great, Cassie, and bring some juice back with you,” Nicole called after the girl’s retreating back.

  The twins took to sitting on the horse like ducks to water, ducks with a very careful mama duck watching. They bounced and laughed on the gray gelding’s back as he patiently plodded around the small round pen, little feet that could barely reach the horse’s sides kicked wildly. David videotaped the ride, laughing as he filmed it. He already had a similar tape of Pete on his horse.

  It wasn’t long before they put the horse up and fed all four of them. They cleaned the stalls, but Nicole claimed she wasn’t on stall cleaning duty until after the baby was born. The group left the barn and headed for the pool. After a few quick changes the whole group splashed around for a while. The twins loved the water. David again manned the video camera. Cassie left when her mom came. David went inside and Troy and Nicole went home.

  On her next visit to Adam, she was excited. She showed him the video of the twins on the horse and in the pool. He laughed and smiled throughout the tape but there was a real sadness behind his smile. He was extremely glad she had brought him the video, but it really made his confinement hit home. They didn’t do much Bible studying that day. They just watched the tape over and over, and she talked to him about the children. She did tell him about how Jesus reacted when people brought their children for him to bless. The disciples tried to keep the children away. But when Jesus saw it, he was much displeased, and said unto them, “Suffer little children and forbid them not, to come unto me: for of such is the kingdom of heaven. Mark 10:14.”

  A few days later she told him, “I want to talk to you about helping others. In Matthew, Christ talks to his disciples about helping people. For when I was an hungered, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in: Naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me, I was in prison, and ye came to me. Matthew 25:35-36. And his disciples asked him when they had done these things, And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me. Matthew 25:40. And he told the ones who didn’t help others in these ways, if they didn’t help the least of these they didn’t do it for him.” She stopped and sipped her water.

  “Is that why you visit me in prison?” Adam asked.

  “It’s part of the reason, another is for my sake. I cannot walk with God the way I want to if I don’t forgive you,” she admitted.

  “I see.”

  “But there’s more to helping than the man on the street, or me and you. When there’s a natural disaster, like an earthquake or a flood, Christians go to give aid. Not just aid for other Christians but for everyone who needs it. And even when there is no disaster, just a need, there are Christian charities. Not just to spread the word of God, but to spread his love.” Nicole smiled. “It can be dangerous, aid workers have been kidnapped, tortured and murdered in some countries and yet they still go. Jews do it too. We go out of faith and to show our love of Jesus. We donate food, money, clothes, building supplies and school books for children, mosquito nets, vaccines and even toys.”

  “All of that? Even toys?” Adam was surprised.

  “Yes, toys are good for a child’s spirit, to help them smile and be a kid.” She smiled at Adam.

  “There’s another example of Jesus speaking of helping others, he said: When thou maketh a dinner or a supper; call not thy friends, or thy brethren, neither thy kinsmen, nor thy rich neighbors; lest they also bid thee again and a recompense be made thee. But when thou maketh a feast, call the poor, the maimed, the lame, the blind: And thou shalt be blessed; for they cannot recompense thee: for thou shalt be recompensed at the resurrection of the just. Luke 14:12-14.”

  “Muslims have charities too,” Adam told her.

  “Yes, I know. I looked it up online. Most Muslims are just people trying to live their lives, like all of us,” she admitted. “Some of the charities funnel money to extremist groups, and some only give aid to Muslims, not to infidels in the area, but most are decent people trying to do good works. One big difference is we give aid and relief to everyone, even to people who are attacking us.”

  “Why?” Adam asked, surprised.

  “We’re told to,” Nicole replied. “Jesus said, But I say unto you which hear, Love your enemies, do good to them which hate you, Bless them that curse you, and pray for them which despitefully use you. Luke 6:27-28. And a few verses down, He said: For if ye love them which love you, what thank have ye? For sinners also love those that love them, and if ye do good to them which do good to you, what thank have ye? For sinners also do even the same. Luke 6:32-33. And later still: But love ye your enemies, and do good, and lend, hoping for nothing again; and your reward shall be great, and ye shall be the children of the Highest: for he is kind unto the unthankful and to the evil. Be ye therefore merciful, as your Father is also merciful. Luke 6:35-36.”

  “Jesus preached about love quite a lot, didn’t he?” Adam commented.

  “He often gave lessons in the form of parables, stories with a message. One of my favorites is the story of a man who was traveling when thieves robbed him, beat him, and left him by the side of the road almost dead.”

  “What happened to him?”

  “Well, people came along, saw him, and walked on by on the other side of the road. Finally a Samaritan saw him and dressed his wounds, put him on his donkey, and took him to an inn. He gave the innkeeper some money to care for the man, and said if it wasn’t enough he’d pay more on his return trip. Jesus used it to show how we should help others, and how those that passed by were not doing His will, but being selfish.”

  “Is that why you are so good to me?” Adam asked. “To earn your reward in heaven?”

  “Partially, at first. I wanted to make sense out of what happened to me. It started small and grew, even before I liked you, I cared about your soul.”

  “Do you really like me now?” Adam was stunned.

  “Yes,” Nicole admitted, smiling. “I do.”

  He was speechless.

  “Maybe that’s why we’re told to love our enemies, and to do good to someone who has harmed us.” She thought as she spoke. “God wants us to live in peace and love, but it has to start somewhere, with someone willing to take on the hatred and face it with love. Jesus did more than preaching and speaking in parables. As he walked the land and taught the people he also performed many miracles.”

  “What miracles?” Adam asked.

  “He calmed the storm and walked on water. He healed the sick, cast out devils and even raised the dead.”

  “Raised the dead?”

  “There was a man named Lazarus who was a friend of Jesus. He died and it took Jesus four days to get to his family. Jesus spoke to his sister, Martha. Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live: And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die. Believeth thou this? John 11:25-26. Martha said she believed so she and her sister Mary went with Jesus to the grave where Lazarus was buried. He called to Lazarus and told him to come out and Lazarus did. Another time when he was preaching the disciples wanted to send people home to eat. Jesus asked how much food they had, and the disciples said five loaves of bread and two fishes. Jesus blessed the food and began breaking it up. The whole group was fed, and there were twelves baskets of leftovers. Do you know how many were fed?”

  Adam just said quietly, “No.”

  “Five thousand men and their wives and children.”

  “Amazing. Nicole, I want to ask you something
.” Adam hesitated. “Why did you go ahead and have my babies?”

  “I’ve told other people who questioned me that I do not believe in abortion, and that’s part of it. I also saw the pregnancy as a gift, something good coming from something bad. That was another part. I also did it for me, because I was afraid. Afraid that with these scars, I would never find a man to love me, to be my husband, and I would wind up alone. Those babies gave me hope for the future.”

  “Thank you,” Adam said simply.

  “You’re welcome.”

  Chapter Seventeen

  “And the disciples came, and said unto him, Why speakest thou unto them in parables?”

  (Matthew 13:10)

  A few days after Nicole had the discussion with Adam about the twins, she was lounging by the pool waiting for Troy to come home. She had just reached for her glass of lemonade when the first twinge hit. She noted the time and wondered if it was the start of labor or just a random pang. By the time Troy got home, she’d had more than four twinges, the last couple of them were about 10 minutes apart.

  When Troy arrived she was ready. She had already put her bag in the car and talked to Emily and Julia about watching the twins.

  He walked in and gave her a big kiss. “Hi, Sweetie.” He kissed her again. “What have you been up to today?”

  “Me?” All innocent, she smiled at him. “Just sitting here wondering.”

  “Wondering what?” He picked up her glass and sipped at her lemonade.

  “Well, for one thing, I was wondering if you would get home before I had to go to the hospital. I’m in labor.”

  “Are you ready to go?” He smiled. “Packed? Kids taken care of? Doctor called?”

  “Yes, my go bag is in the car, Emily and Julia are watching the twins, and I called Dr. Sullivan.” She grinned. “So give me a hand getting up from this lounge and we can go.”

  “I can’t wait to meet my new daughter.” Troy’s smile was huge.

  On the drive to the hospital Nicole called Pastor Mark and asked him to tell Adam she wouldn’t be in to see him for a while. The pastor told her that Adam had finally begun coming to a prayer meeting group held every Wednesday in the prison. He was planning on coming to Sunday services, too. Mark told her the group was learning worship songs, and they were planning a few movie nights for the group.

  Nicole was quickly admitted to the hospital and wheeled up to a room. That was the last quick thing that happened. Unlike her first pregnancy where labor and delivery was fast, even with twins, this was a long, slow process. Luck was with her however, she had plenty of time for an epidural. It took about six hours but she had her baby girl. Unlike her siblings, who were both under 4 pounds, baby Sarah Jean weighed in at 8 pounds 3 ounces. She was beautiful, healthy and prefect.

  Nicole and Sarah stayed overnight at the hospital, of course the visitors descended en masse, Kate and Laura and their husbands, Lanie and Tina with Cassie, Pastor Mark and Rachel, David and Emily. The room was flooded with flowers, which Nicole gave away, and balloons.

  Troy’s face seemed to be stuck in a permanent smile.

  They took Sarah home the next day. The twins, now about halfway through the terrible twos, were fascinated with the new addition, although Nicole kept an eagle eye on the pair. They were too good at mischief.

  It was about two weeks before Nicole went back to the prison. Adam was glad to see her and asked to see more pictures of the twins, but to Nicole’s surprise, he also asked to see pictures of Sarah. He took a long look at Sarah and pronounced her beautiful. That was more than he said about pictures of the twins. In the latest picture, they were playing in the straw in the barn, and they were both filthy, smiling, but filthy.

  He laughed, looking at the pictures. “That’s my children, covered in hay.”

  “And loving it,” Nicole added. “They are good kids, Adam, even now in their terrible twos.”

  They chatted about the kids for a while before Adam turned the conversation to the prayer group.

  “I really enjoy it,” Adam said. “And I keep learning more every week.”

  “What’s it like?” she asked, smiling. “What are you learning?”

  “Well,” he thought, “we’ve studied how the Old Testament and the New Testament fit together, and I’ve learned to enjoy worship. I’ve learned some worship songs and last week we saw a movie about a high school football team who followed Jesus. It was a great movie.”

  “Yes, I know the movie you mean. Facing the Giants, written, directed, and starring Alex Kendrick. The Kendrick brothers have a great talent. They could make a fortune with mainstream movies, but they choose to serve the Lord. Their movies have humor, a real feeling for life, sometimes sadness and problems, but they always show the greatness of God’s love.”

  “We’re seeing The Passion of the Christ next week.”

  “That’s a very violent movie, it really shows what Christ went through for us. It’s amazing. He did that willingly to pay for our sins.”

  “And later on we’re seeing a movie called Courageous.” He seemed to be looking forward to it.

  “You’ll love that movie.” Her smile was warm. “That gives me an idea. One of the things you can do, even in here, is write. Paul wrote in prison. Why not you?”

  “Me? Are you crazy?” He was shocked.

  “Why not, write for yourself, even if it’s not for anyone else. You’re already keeping a journal from what I hear.”

  “Well, yes, I am,” he admitted.

  “So expand it,” she told him. “I’ve got to get home.”

  She came back in a few days.

  “What shall we talk about today?” Nicole asked him.

  “You told me a little bit about parables. Can you tell me more?”

  Nicole opened her Bible. “Sure, we can read and study some together.”

  She thumbed through the Bible, starting at Matthew. “Hmm, let’s see... here’s a good one, look at these verses, Matthew 13:3-8. You read them to me this time.”

  Adam read, “Behold, a sower went forth to sow; And when he sowed, some seed fell by the wayside and the fowls came and devoured them up. What does that mean?”

  “This is my interpretation: The ground is people. Some hear the words of Christ but their hearts are hard and the word does not sink in, so the devil takes it away,” she explained. “Continue.”

  “And some fell on stony places, where they had not much earth: and forthwith they sprung up because they had no deepness of earth: And when the sun was up, they were scorched; and because they had no root, they withered away. Let me guess, the stony earth represents people with no depth to them, who fall apart when there is trouble because there are no roots to their faith.” Adam smiled widely. “Am I right?”

  “Fantastic!” Nicole told him. “I am so proud of you.”

  “And some fell among thorns; and the thorns sprung up, and choked them: What are the thorns?”

  “I think the thorns are the daily pressures of life,” she said, thinking. “They can overwhelm you, and hide God from your view, cutting you off from Him.”

  “But the other fell into good ground, and brought forth fruit, some a hundredfold, some sixtyfold, some thirtyfold. Does that mean that people who hear the word and take it to heart spread the word to others and those others are the fruit they bear?”

  “By George, I think you’ve got it!” She was thrilled, so happy tears started to form in her eyes.

  “Let’s do another,” Adam suggested. “Do you have time?”

  “Not much, I do have to go feed the baby, but I do have some time to spare. How about the parable of the lost sheep? Jesus said: What man of you, having a hundred sheep, if he loses one of them, doth not leave the ninety and nine in the wilderness, and go after that which is lost until he find it? You finish it,” Nicole suggested. “It’s Luke 15:4-7, I left off at verse 4.”

  “And when he hath found it, he layeth it on his shoulders, rejoicing, And when he cometh home, he calleth together
his friends and neighbors, saying unto them, Rejoice with me; for I have found my sheep which was lost. I say unto you, that likewise joy shall be in heaven over one sinner that repenteth, more than over ninety and nine just persons that need no repentance.” Adam said, “I am the lost sheep, am I not?”

  “Yes, you should also read on down, the rest of the chapter. You will find the Parable of the Lost coin, and the Parable of the Lost Son. They both follow this topic. I have to go, I’ll see you soon.” She picked up her sweater and put it on.

  “Adam,” she said softly, “I am so glad you were found.”

  Chapter Eighteen

  “Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus, shall suffer persecution.”

  (2 Timothy 3:12)

  The next day, Nicole and her family had a large picnic. The whole gang was there, David and Emily with their two children, Pete who was getting old enough to be a handful to watch, and baby Grace. Mae and Julia were sitting at the patio table while David and Troy worked the barbecue grill. Kate and Laura brought their husbands and a whole passel of kids plus their Boston Terriers. Kate had a Boston which she’d bred twice and somehow all the puppies stayed with this group. The Bostons played with David’s ranch dogs. Lanie and her husband Frank brought Cassie, their Boston, and even her horse.

  The horses were saddled and all the kids rode with helmets on their heads. The older children rode by themselves, some of the younger children had a pair of adults walking alongside them, and a few rode while being held in an adult’s arms. After riding and putting the horses up, the group changed into swimsuits and jumped in the pool. With two adults at all times assigned to do nothing but watch the children swimming it was safe, very loud and splashy, but safe.