Ragsdale put his face in his hands and began to weep. Owen had no clue what to do. He prayed silently and waited for some sign, some thought to come to mind.
“I want to put my trust in God,” Ragsdale finally said, lifting his tear-streaked face. “I just fear He won’t accept me.”
“The Bible says He’s willing that none should perish, but all should come to repentance. It says that in second Peter, chapter three.Allincludes you, Mr. Ragsdale.”
“But I feel so worthless.” He met Owen’s eyes. “Iamso worthless.”
“We aren’t worthless to God. He sent his only Son to die for us. That makes us pretty special. So, what do you have to lose in repenting and accepting Him as your Lord and Savior?” Owen couldn’t help but smile.
Ragsdale nodded. “Will you pray with me?”
Owen’s smile widened into a grin. “Of course. I’ll start out,and then you finish by confessing you’re a sinner and that you want Jesus as Lord.”
They prayed together in the stillness of the house. Owen had never felt so overcome with joy. Of all the things he had expected to feel this day, the intense joy that filled his soul was not one of those things. Praying with a lost soul—someone who was hurting to the point of death—and seeing them give their life to God was better than almost anything else Owen could imagine.
“I’m sorry for the mistakes I’ve made,” Herbert Ragsdale prayed. “I’m even sorrier for the things I’ve done on purpose that I knew weren’t right. Forgive me, please. Forgive me and be my Lord and Savior, amen.” He looked up. “Was that good enough? Am I saved now?”
Owen nodded. “God hears the prayers of His children—especially when they are seeking Him.”
The door opened, and Susanna returned. She looked at her father and then at Owen, and clutched a bundle of clothes to her breast. “What’s wrong? Is Mother gone?” She rushed toward the room, but Owen caught her hand as she passed.
“Nothing’s wrong. Everything is very right. Your father just accepted Jesus as his Savior.”
Susanna’s mouth fell open. She looked at her father. “How wonderful! Oh, Father...” She placed the clothes on a chair and went to him. She put her arms around his shoulders. “Now things really will be different.”
He pulled away and nodded. “I hope you know how sorry I am for all the wrong I’ve done.”
She nodded. “I’m sorry if I’ve hurt you or wronged you, Father.”
They hugged again, and this time as they pulled away, Ragsdale looked at Owen. “You have my blessing.”
Susanna sat at her mother’s bedside and prayed. She thought of all that had transpired earlier with her father and Owen. The peace she felt was like an assurance that things would finally change. She only prayed that her mother’s heart had been transformed as well. Mother was so afraid of dying, but Susanna had tried to share all that she could to give her comfort. She couldn’t force her mother to accept Jesus or to have a change of heart about life, but she knew God could encourage her mother in both areas.
She wished Owen was still with her. The moment he had left, she felt his absence, like a part of herself had departed. She had fallen so deeply in love with him that she could hardly comprehend the way she felt.
Thinking of this brought to mind Mark and her marriage to him. She had loved him so dearly, but this was like falling in love for the first time. How could it be that way? Was it just because it was a different man—a different time and place? She used to talk to Mark from time to time, not knowing if people in heaven ever heard the things people spoke on earth about or to them.
Now, as she watched over her mother, she remembered their last conversation. Mark had been so weak, barely able to speak to her. Like Mother, his lungs were congested and full of fluid. But unlike Mother, he wasn’t at all afraid. He knew exactly where he stood with God and had no doubts about his future.
Susanna smiled. “I’m glad you were so certain. So at peace,” she whispered. “You didn’t depart in fear but in celebration. It made all the difference for those of us left behind.”
The clock on the dresser revealed that it was midnight. Susanna had already told her Father that she was going back to the hotel to sleep for the night. She was exhausted and would be of no use to anyone tomorrow if she didn’t get some rest. Father had assured her that he and Gary would keep watch, and that if anything worsened, he’d send Gary immediately.
Susanna felt Mother’s head one more time. It seemed cooler, and she seemed to rest more peacefully.
“Please, God, heal her,” she prayed.
She headed into the living room only to find her father and Owen talking once again. She smiled at her fiancé. “I thought you were gone for the night.”
“I couldn’t let you walk to the hotel alone.”
“Gary would have walked with me.”
“Gary went to bed,” Owen said, getting to his feet.
Susanna went to her father and kissed the top of his head. It wasn’t a usual gesture, and it surprised him. He looked up at her in question.
“I love you, Father. Never forget that.”
