Romans Road Detour

by Todie West

  “I told you not to think that way. If you hadn’t done what you did, I’d still be an angry, unfulfilled teacher. Now I feel like I have a purpose. God is going to use us both to spread the Good News, and to reveal the truth about our founders. We really are a Christian nation. I believe that now.”

  “Amen. Thanks, again, Michael.”

  “Thank YOU!”

  * * *

  “Hello.”

  “Michael, it’s Trish.”

  “Trish. How are you?” Trish had been the farthest person from Michael’s mind. Her phone call caught him off guard.

  “Hadn’t heard from you in a while. I was just wondering how you were doing.”

  “I’m doing great.”

  “What did you decide to do? I take it you didn’t appeal the Board’s decision.”

  “No, I really don’t think I want to teach in public school anymore.”

  “Really?”

  Michael felt he owed her an explanation, since she was such a good friend to him during his ordeal. “No, I really think the system is messed up and I don’t like being told what I can and can’t teach, especially when what I’m being told not to teach is the truth. That really bothers me.”

  “I know what you mean. So does that mean you’re not going back to school, either?”

  “No, actually I’m not. I’m going to apply at the Christian school and I’m putting together a program through the churches to show some videos about Christianity and our founding fathers.”

  “Really. I’d like to see that.”

  Michael hesitated to get Trish involved, but she did attend the Mormon Church, and might be a good contact person, but how could he do it without leading her on? He decided to just be blunt and tell her the truth.

  “I have to be honest with you, Trish. I’d love for you to get involved, be a contact person for your church, but I wanted you to know that I am seeing someone.”

  “Oh.” Trish’s voice displayed her deep disappointment. Michael knew she always had stronger feelings for him that he had for her.

  “I’m sorry. You’ve been such a good friend.”

  Good friend. Two words a gal never wants to hear from a guy. “Oh, it’s okay. I knew something was up since you never got back to me. I’m really sorry I bothered you, Michael.” Her voice sounded almost angry.

  “No, no, I’m glad you called. I know you have a passion for the kids. I’ll let you know when we’ll be showing the video at Roy’s church,” Michael did not want to invite her to his church because of Araceli. “I’ll let you know and then maybe you can take that copy and share it at your church. We’ll just keep passing them around until we can afford to buy more and maybe expand our territory past Drake Valley.”

  “Okay, so you’ll be in touch?”

  “I’ll call you.”

  “I was just wondering. How did Roy get involved?”

  “Oh, I didn’t tell you? The videos belong to him. He showed them to me and we got together and decided as many people as possible should see them. And since the school won’t allow it, we can at least make sure every Christian child knows the truth about our country’s beginnings.”

  “Okay. So I’ll wait for your call.”

  “Thanks, Trish.”

  “Sure. Bye, Michael.” The disappointment in her voice gave Michael pause. He wasn’t so sure he should have even mentioned it to her, but his only concern was everyone seeing the video and he knew the Mormon Church was full every Sunday.

  * * *

  Araceli met Michael at the church. Their meeting with Pastor Dan went better than expected. He pulled out his personal checkbook and gave Michael a check. “This should get you started.” It was enough to purchase four more sets of videos and 100 booklets.

  “The pastors are going to want to preview the tapes before they show them to their congregations. This way we can get them distributed and then follow up on their scheduled showings. Some might consider showing them more than once, just to make sure everyone has an opportunity to see them.”

  Michael and Araceli were thrilled at Pastor Dan’s generosity. After a short celebration at the Coffee Shack, Michael called Roy to check on his progress.

  “Hi, Roy.”

  “Michael. How did it go with your pastor? Sorry I couldn’t make it. But I did meet with Pastor Reed.”

  “What was his reaction?”

  “I met with him after he watched the videos and he gave me a donation for materials.”

  “Really. So did Pastor Dan. I think this is going to be easier than we thought.”

  * * *

  Within a month every church in Drake Valley had access to the founders videos, except for two of the more liberal churches who didn’t want to make any waves. The pastors who gave their approval had first previewed the tapes and dates were set for showings to their congregations. Two of the largest churches, St. Jude’s Catholic, thanks to Jason’s mother, and, of course, Orchard Christian, purchased full page ads in the local newspaper to invite members of the public to attend the showings.

  There were four videos in the series and most of the churches scheduled to show them on four different evenings. Michael, Araceli, and Roy, either together or collectively, depending on scheduling, introduced the series. They each had seen the videos enough times to host a question and answer session at the end of each meeting.

  The reception was phenomenal, particularly from the parents with children in public school. That was the goal. Since the schools weren’t doing their job, the churches had to step in and the result was a well-informed community, a collective Christian body equipped with a foundation of truth to counter the propaganda that was being fed their children in the schools.

  Over the next few months, the nurturing of Michael and Araceli’s relationship was limited to their work on the project. Romance had taken a back burner. The night before the final video showing at Orchard, Michael suggested to Araceli that they take a night off and go out for a nice dinner together. They were both exhausted but felt good about what they had accomplished. While they looked forward to going beyond the city limits of Drake Valley with the project, they were also yearning to get back on track with their courtship. Michael made a reservation at the Stagecoach Inn, Drake Valley’s most exclusive dinner house.

  At the conclusion of the final video showing at Orchard, a reception was held where the church ladies put on a spread of cakes and pies. The attendance was so high, more chairs had to be set up in the back of the room. As Araceli and Michael chatted with several of the congregants, it was encouraging to note the number of non-members who attended.

  “Mr. Webster.” A tall, nicely dressed, middle-aged gentleman approached Michael.

  “Yes.”

  The man extended his hand, “My name is Thomas Keenan. Do you have a minute?

  “Sure.” Michael had no idea what Mr. Keenan wanted to speak with him about.

  “I have children in public school over in Lawson,” towns near Drake Valley, but all of their schools are part of the Drake Valley Unified District.

  “Nice to meet you.”

  “It is really great meeting you. I heard about your plight with the School Board and I have had my eye on them for a long time.”

  “Word traveled that far?”

  “Oh, yes. Most of us parents were appalled at the way you were treated. And, judging by the videos, you really did do nothing wrong and you should not have been fired.”

  “If you’re trying to talk me into appealing, I really have no desire go back to teaching in public school.”

  “And how can anyone blame you for that. No, Mr. Webster…”

  “Call me Michael.”

  “Okay, Michael. Some of us have been talking.” Several other parents stood next to Mr. Keenan at this point.

  Michael was puzzled, to say the least. Araceli listened intently.

  “We want to sponsor you as a candidate for Drake Valley School Board this fa
ll.”

  Michael’s mouth dropped. “Me? Really?”

  “Oh, yes. We have been talking and we even spoke with some of the parents we know in Drake Valley. And, as Christians, we do not feel our kids, who all attend public school, are getting fair representation by the School Board.”

  “That’s obvious,” Michael agreed.

  “Anyway, we feel you would be the best person for the job.”

  Michael thought for a moment, then he responded, “But don’t you think it would look more like a grudge match? It’s not like they think too highly of me over there.”

  “You’re speaking for three out of five. There were still two who agreed with you. One of them is a Christian. But we need more Christian representation in our government, especially in our school boards. Would you consider it?”

  “Oh, Michael,” Araceli chimed in, “I think it’s a great idea.”

  “Yeah, but what are my chances?”

  “Of winning?” Mr. Keenan asked.

  “Yeah.”

  “We think you have an excellent chance of winning. Everyone knows your story, and we have all seen your passion, what you have done here, how you took a bad situation and turned it into something productive. You should be commended for that.”

  “Thank you, but I didn’t do it alone.”

  “That’s also a good trait to have. You work well as a team member.”

  Michael was deep in contemplative thought.

  “We also heard about the other really good teacher who got the ax because of this School Board.”

  “You mean the one at the high school who supposedly touched the girl?”

  “That’s right.”

  “My mom testified in that case. It was totally bogus. He was a member of this church.”

  “Well, I for one think you should run,” Araceli announced.

  “I’ve applied for a teaching job at the Christian School. Wouldn’t there be a conflict of interest?”

  “Absolutely not. All the more valuable your contribution would be. A different perspective. You might be able to save another good teacher from extinction in the future.”

  “Wouldn’t they try and use that separation of church and state business on me?”

  “Well you just proved that to be false. Many of your voters have all seen the videos. There are more of you than there are of them, Michael. And if you keep showing the videos, more people will realize what a sham the separation clause is.”

  “It wouldn’t be a first, either,” Araceli explained. “When I did my student teaching in Sacramento, they had a nun on the School Board who taught at a Catholic high school.”

  “Really?”

  “If they have a problem with it, it’s their problem, not yours. Most of the people in this city already know who you are, and they know you were treated unfairly by the Board. What better way to prevent it from happening again?” Mr. Keenan was very convincing.

  “I’ll be your campaign manager,” Araceli exclaimed.

  “Well, in that case, maybe I will consider it.”

  “Here’s my card. Call me this week and we can discuss a strategy. And you can bring your campaign manager along.”

  “Oh, Michael. What a great opportunity!” Araceli was almost giddy.

  “I’ll think about it.”

  * * *

  On their first real date, Michael and Araceli’s conversation was far from romantic. Most of the discussion involved the School Board. All of Michael’s what ifs were abruptly countered by Araceli.

  “These are not windows, Michael. These are giant doors. Think of the difference you can make. Isn’t that what we’re here for? To make a positive difference?” Araceli’s argument was convincing.

  Michael fired off every but he could think of and came up with no good reason not to run. He knew the doubts he was having were not coming from the Lord and decided this time not to allow them to take over his mind.

  “Let’s do this.”

  “Are you sure?”

  “I’m sure. Yes, I’m sure.” At that moment, upon boldly speaking those words, Michael was totally convinced. He was reminded of Joshua’s faith, that the water would not part until he stepped into it. And it wasn’t until Peter was fully focused on the Lord that he was able to walk on the water.

  Michael walked Araceli to her door and, without hesitation, kissed her on the cheek. “I still owe you a romantic dinner.”

  “What do you mean? I had a great time.”

  “It’s been all about me lately, and I’m so sorry, but I am grateful you’ve been there for me. I really like you a lot. I think you know me pretty well, and I’d like to get to know more about you, too.”

  “I like you, too.” She reached up and kissed him again, this time on the lips.

  The future was in God’s hands and they both stepped into the next chapter with renewed excitement about His plan, and a determination to follow Him, wherever He would lead them.

  EPILOGUE

  This is a Christian nation. (Harry Truman, President)

  Michael ran a robust campaign and met some wonderful new friends. Ironically, the results of the School Board election were revealed exactly one year from the day he was fired. It seemed like years since Michael’s semi-suicidal episode. Now he was working alongside two of the three Board members who had sealed his fate. His future looked bright and he was a shining example of forgiveness and love.

  Michael followed the Lord’s plan for his career and became a history teacher at the Christian high school. The freedom to teach the truth was liberating. He was engaged to a beautiful girl who he once tried to avoid because she might be a Bible thumper. Now the Bible was the blueprint for their life together. Araceli was teaching first grade at the Christian elementary school.

  Jason was now a deputy sheriff in Sacramento and was seriously dating the girl he met at the baptism. Brad and Marnie were awaiting the arrival of their baby boy around Christmastime. Trish was engaged to a fellow Mormon who taught high school in Lawson. Michael, Araceli, and Roy continued spreading the truth throughout California with their newly formed Historical Foundations ministry, through videos and personal speaking engagements. Michael’s position on the School Board also gave him a platform to hold seminars for teachers at local public schools on his classroom mock city.

  Michael and Araceli were also busy planning their March wedding. Michael was welcomed by the Salazar family on a trip to Argentina in late November. Araceli’s parents accepted the idea that their daughter would not be getting married in a Catholic Church, and flew to California to witness the happy occasion. Michael and Araceli’s honeymoon would take them to Washington, D.C., where the truth is declared at every turn that the United States of America is a Christian nation.

  ROMANS ROAD SCRIPTURES

  …for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. Romans 3:23

  For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 6:23

  But God demonstrates his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Romans 5:8

  If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved. Romans 10:9-10

  Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. Romans 5:1

  Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. Romans 8:1

  For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Jesus Christ our Lord. Romans 8:38-39