“He felt confident that your grandfather’s death would come sooner than he originally thought.”
Judith looked up at the older man. Winchell was probably ten years her grandfather’s junior, but time with the man had clearly aged him. How she wished he felt comfortable enough with her to talk about her grandfather and their history together.
“Well, I suppose we must simply forge ahead and do whatever we can to make him comfortable.”
“Yes, miss,” Winchell said with a heaviness in his tone that left Judith feeling sorry for him. He had spent his entire life caring for her grandfather. No doubt he was worried at his own advanced age regarding what he would do once the man died.
She put her hand on his arm. “Winchell, you are a faithful and loyal friend to my grandfather. I know he appreciates all that you do, but I want you to know that I do as well. If I am chosen as heir and decide to remain in Minneapolis, you will always have a place here. I hope you also know that you can come to me with anything you need.”
His stoic expression softened. “Thank you, miss.” He stepped back and reopened the door. “I’m sure he is eagerly awaiting your visit.”
Judith moved past Winchell and headed into the room. It was the first time Winchell hadn’t gone ahead of her to announce the visit.
James Ashton sat propped in his bed, reading the newspaper, as Judith often found him when she came for their business discussions. He looked over the top of the paper, then folded it closed.
“I wondered if you were ever coming.”
“How are you feeling today? I know the doctor saw you earlier.”
“Yes, yes. The man is all doom and nonsense. He has no means of helping me, but ever so much confidence in my demise.”
Judith pulled up a chair and sat down. “Well, we all must die sooner or later. Perhaps if you had more confidence in what lay beyond, you would be less disgruntled.”
“Are you going to preach at me?” He frowned but didn’t forbid it.
“Preach? No. But I am always happy to share with you thesimplicity of accepting Jesus as Savior and Lord. The Bible makes it quite clear that Jesus is the only way to God and the reconciliation that we so desperately need. Jesus died once for all, so you might as well accept what has been freely given.”
He looked at her oddly. “You speak with such certainty that I wonder if there were ever any doubts for you.”
“Doubts? About Jesus?” She shook her head. “Never. I know many people speak of difficulty in believing. Sometimes even preachers talk about how hard it was to come to a place of faith and acceptance, but that is not the case for me. My father made it clear that God is a reliable source of love and trust. He is faithfully the same yesterday, today, and forever. To be certain, God alone is the only constant in my life. How could I doubt Him when He has proven Himself over and over?”
“And what proof has He offered?”
Judith was surprised that her grandfather continued to pursue the discussion. “He has always answered my prayers. He has shown me His nature in the Bible. I see His handiwork in all of creation and find comfort in His promises.”
“You say He has always given you everything you prayed for. How can that be?”
“I didn’t say that He always gave me everything I prayed for. I said He always answered my prayers. To be certain, there have been times when God has refused my requests, like when my parents died even though I had prayed for them to return home safely. But even in that, He answered. I have learned from my father’s example that praying for God’s will in all matters is better than seeking my own.”
“Your parents died during the war, did they not?”
“Yes, in 1864, but it wasn’t due to any fighting. The boiler on the riverboat was faulty and blew up. It was such a powerful explosion that the boat was quickly engulfed in flames. The doctor felt certain that the blast itself killed my parents instantly. He believed they did not suffer.
“They were the most important people in my life. Still, God allowed them to die. It was His will, and I can accept that. It doesn’t mean I like it, but I trust that God had a purpose even in that. And His love for them, taking them instantly—well, that blessed me too.”
“Why?” Her grandfather’s tone was demanding.
“Well, if anyone can account for my thoughts behind that, you surely can. Many die from disease and sickness, as you well know. Lingering day after day, suffering pain and fear of what is yet to come is hardly a comforting way to pass from this earth. However, I believe firmly that God can be a comfort to those who have Him as Lord, though I am rather puzzled at what others like you do for peace of mind during such a time.”
Her grandfather’s eyes narrowed. “I need no comfort or peace. I am a man of action and have been so all my life. I neither fear nor welcome death. It simply is a part of each man’s life. I accept it for what it is.”
“And in your mind, what is it? You see, for me I know death is but a door to eternal life with my heavenly Father. When I received Jesus as my Savior, my sins were washed clean, and I became God’s own child. I can assure you that life on this earth is not the end but merely the beginning.”
“You should have been born a male. Your confidence and conviction would suggest that you could make a great revivalist or perhaps politician. You are strong-willed and outspoken. In a man, those things are rewarded. Not so much in a woman.”
Judith laughed. “And well I know that.”
Her grandfather studied her for a moment, then shook his head. “But perhaps it serves you well enough to be a woman, for such nature is unexpected. I have come to realize that you are full of surprises.”
