The Gift of Light: (Revised) (The Gifts Book 1) (9 page)

Chapter Fifteen

For if you forgive men when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive men their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.

Matthew 6:14

New International Version

“Therefore, if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled to your brother; then come and offer your gift.”

Matthew 5:23-24

New International Version

     If ever there was a battlefield for good versus evil, it was at Harvard. The campus abounded with lectures and series on evolution and

why it is true, countered with, God’s not dead; He lives on the inside signs. There were as many differing opinions as there were students.

     Bradley, well grounded in the truth, knew just where he stood in his personal relationship with Jesus. He wondered what it must be like for someone to come into this conflicting world and not know the real Jesus. He shuddered at the thought.

     He hadn’t spoken to his father since he left the DC townhouse, and his relationship with his aunt changed drastically in light of the truth as he now knew it. Forgiving her was much easier than forgiving his father, however.

     His father was a cruel, heartless and cold man and he understood how his mother would be miserable living with him. He prayed that Jesus would forgive his mother for taking her own life, and his father, who he now believed to be insane.

     Bradley spent his first semester getting familiar with his surroundings. His old buddy from the military academy, Jimmy Thornton, also had a dorm-room on campus. They joined a Christian student group that met weekly in a Christian studies part of the campus. The rigorous training and discipline at the academy helped him to stay focused on his classes, and he continued to excel in this new environment.

     He rose early each morning and ran laps to keep in shape and continued with drills and exercises offered as part of earning his degree in military sciences. He hoped to enter the army as a Second Lieutenant and further himself in the ministry of Christ as a chaplain in service to his country and fellow service men.

     His military advisors tried to steer him in other directions. They argued that with his impeccable background he could do better and go farther than a chaplain. He could make a great general someday. Bradley wanted no part of that. He knew where his calling was.

     It was near the time for winter break that Bradley found himself in the audience at a hot debate. The topic was ‘Is God for Real?’ Many literary students on both sides of the topic had signed up to speak.

     He suffered through a few of the atheist arguments, listened to some interesting Christian theories, but his world dropped out from under him when a beautiful petite brunette exploded onto the stage.

     Marta! She was here at Harvard. He recognized her in an instant, her face forever ingrained in his mind. There was no doubt this was the girl who haunted his adolescent dreams.

All grown up now and on fire for the Lord, Marta’s debate speech was strong, backed by scripture, and left no doubt of her firm belief in the Lord Jesus Christ.

     Bradley jumped up and ran out of the auditorium as she finished. He didn’t want her to see him. In her mind, she must see him as lowest of the low. How could she ever forgive him for the terrible thing he did to her? He had to find a way to stay away from her. He feared that if she learned of his presence on campus she’d be frightened. The last thing he wanted was to cause Marta any more pain.

     The next two weeks before winter break, Bradley watched for Marta everywhere he went. He didn’t want a chance encounter with her. He even considered transferring to Yale. He ate all his meals off campus and stayed away from any common areas where she might be.

     It was on the last day of semester finals that Bradley, crunched for time, ducked into a coffee spot on campus for a quick cup and a snack before his next exam. He stood in line, got his order, and turned around to find a table.

     Marta stood right behind him in line. There was no way to hide, no way to run.

     Their eyes met, and there was no mistaking the quick look of shock followed by recognition on her face. Marta saw right through him as he quickly looked away and walked around her.

She walked away from her friends in line and followed him as he sat at a corner table.

     “What? You think you can just ignore me, Bradley Steel?” Never shy, she had no problems facing him now.

     The jig was up. “No, Marta, I’d never dare to ignore you.” Bradley tried to smile at her, but it was pointless. She glared at him.

     “I just want you to know how sorry I am for what I did, Marta. I was young and very angry. I know that’s a sorry excuse, but I’ve regretted that day ever since it happened, and I hope you can somehow find it in your heart to forgive me.” Bradley did his best to make eye contact and let her know his apology was sincere.

     Marta expected to hear him say many things, but a request for forgiveness wasn’t one of them. She’d rehearsed for years, but now faced with her adversary, found herself unable to say the angry words she’d been saving up for this very day. Instead, she huffed.

      “Fine then. As a Christian, I forgive you. Just stay away from me and we’ll both be fine.” Marta flipped her hair, huffed again, turned and walked away.

Her words cut Bradley to the bone. He left his coffee and doughnut and walked out into the bitter cold winter weather, no longer hungry. Marta was right. He needed to stay away from her. He had to transfer to Yale as soon as possible.

     Later that afternoon Marta called Emily. Her friend was preparing for a flight back to Hook Pond for the holidays after her first semester at Bible seminary.

     “Emily, you are not going to believe who I ran into today.” Before she could even guess, Marta blurted it all out. “Bradley Steel, in the flesh. I cannot believe of all the colleges in this world, we’d end up here.”

     Emily tried to put in a word or two, but Marta in righteous indignation, rushed through the whole story. “I can’t believe he actually had the gall to tell me how sorry he was.” When she finally stopped ranting, Emily spoke to her.

     “Marta, what if he is truly sorry? People do repent, you know?”

     “So, you’re on his side now?”

     “No, Marta. It’s just that I need to tell you some things the Lord has shared with me about Bradley, and I don’t want to do it over the phone. When will you be back home?”

     “Tomorrow morning, why?”

     “Because we need to talk, that’s why. I get in late tonight. Let’s plan on getting together tomorrow afternoon at your place, OK?”

     “Fine.”

     “Oh, and Marta. I miss you so much. I can’t wait to see you.”

     “You’re right. I’m being all pouty and stupid. I miss you too. See you tomorrow.”

***

     Bradley canceled a skiing trip with his friends. He had not intended to return to Manhattan for the holidays. He was still a little peeved at his aunt for keeping secrets from him, but he figured if he wanted forgiveness, then he had to forgive and so he headed off to make amends.

     He also needed something he’d left behind in the penthouse. He’d written it his first summer there, the summer he’d been saved. It was a letter to Marta. He wrote it but never had the nerve to mail it. He wanted to give it to her now as reassurance that he would never bother her or cause her any more grief.

     Plus, he would need his aunt’s help in getting transferred to Yale for the next semester. The move would require hard work in so short an amount of time. His aunt, as always, was key.

     It was snowing when Emily arrived at Perry House. She sent up a quick prayer that the weather wouldn’t hinder Marta’s flight home.

     The estate sported twinkling Christmas lights all over the grounds and lining the drive. The main house twinkled as well. The effect was magical with the snow falling all around. It was so good to be home.

     Gemma and Liam ran to meet her and helped with her bags while Mr. Perry waited inside the house. They had a special welcome home party planned with just the four of them sitting around a roaring fire in front of a huge, fully decorated Christmas tree. They feasted on finger foods and special treats and drank hot apple cider. Emily felt so good to be back with her little family. It was true, you don’t know what you’ll miss until it’s gone, and she’d missed home.

     The next morning Emily slept in. She met her aunt, already at work at the main house, for a cup of coffee.

     “Good morning, sunshine,” her aunt signed.

      Gemma always dressed smartly in her black working slacks and starched white blouse. Not a single red hair on her head was out of place, pulled up in her regular tight bun. Emily just drank in the sight of her. It was then she noticed some slight greying at her aunt’s temples. They were all getting older. Except for Liam, he always looked good. Men seemed to age more slowly than women.

     Emily sat at the kitchen table with her legs crossed, sipping a hot cup of coffee. She still wore her fuzzy pink jammies, her own red curls in a riotous mass around her head. She hadn’t even bothered with a coat as she tromped her way over to the main house. Five inches of new snow covered the ground in white velvet. At least she’d remembered to pull on her aunt’s yellow rain boots.

     “So, when do I get to see Staniel again?” Emily signed to her aunt.

     “Oh, I’m sure he’ll be making an appearance any time now.” Her aunt continued cleaning the already immaculate kitchen.

     Seeing Staniel for the first time in the forest was an amazing experience. Emily recognized him immediately as the Staniel in her aunt’s painting. He did not speak to her. He just made sort of a bow to acknowledge her, and then faded away. Emily fell to her knees and praised the Lord for giving her this huge gift of sight. If she never saw another angel again, she would still be grateful for this one time.

     While Emily spent a great deal of time learning about the angels and how they worked to fulfill the Word of God, she made sure to spend time in prayer and praise to her Lord and Savior. She knew better than to look to angels for her salvation. Salvation came only from Jesus and she learned how things worked together in the supernatural and natural world to bring honor and glory to the Lord.

     As much as Emily hoped to see Staniel again, he did not make an appearance that morning as her Aunt said he would. Soon it was time to meet with Marta. Emily had so much to share with her friend about her studies and about what she knew about Bradley’s past. Her aunt had sworn her to silence regarding the gift she’d received in seeing Staniel. Emily understood that it was for their protection that she keep this gift a secret, but she still had plenty of other things to share.

     Marta waited for Emily on her front porch, wrapped in a blanket.

     The girls squealed and ran to each other for tight hugs. Being apart didn’t dampen their close friendship, and if anything made it stronger.

     Amy redecorated Marta’s room to suit a young woman rather than a young girl. Gone were the pastel colors and rainbow canopy bed. In its place, a cherry wood sleigh bed piled high with handmade pillows and quilts.

     Like little girls, the two young women snuggled under the quilts to share secrets. Before

long, they’d caught each other up on every event in their lives since they’d parted ways last summer. Much of it was repeat news since they stayed in touch daily by e-mail or phone, but sharing it in person was so much more fun.

     “OK,” Marta said. “Spill it, what do you think you know about Bradley?”

     Emily heaved a long sigh. She told her the sweet dream she’d about her dad before he died, and then the fog shifting, and showing her a glimpse of Bradley together with his father. She told it all, of the abuse she witnessed in her dream and how it made sense, given Bradley’s extreme anger and hatred as a child.

     Marta chewed her bottom lip, a sign that meant she was in deep thought.

     “I need to pray about this. I know I have to forgive Bradley, but if what you say is true, I also need to pray for him. I wonder if what he did even matters anymore, it was so long ago. I’m not afraid of him and I’m not even mad at him anymore. Like I said, I need to pray about this.”

     Emily agreed with her friend. Bradley deserved both of their prayers.

     Bradley found the letter in the desk in his room at the penthouse. After spending a pleasant holiday season with his aunt, he decided it was time to mail this old letter with a new one attached. He looked up Marta’s parent’s address online and mailed both the letters. He hoped she was home for the holidays, but if not, maybe her parents would get the letter to her.

     It was all he could do. He’d asked for her forgiveness to her face, and now, again by mail. He put the matter in the Lord’s hands. It was time to let it go. He’d done all he could to win Marta’s forgiveness.