Storm Watching

“Hi, Parson,” said Glenda Parker as she stuck her head into the parson's study.

“Hello, Glenda,” said the parson. “How are things with you.”

“Fine,” said the ten-year-old.

As she stepped further into the study, the parson said, “I heard you came in first in the two mile run at the school. That's terrific.”

“It was okay,” said Glenda. She looked over her shoulder as if to check who might be standing behind her. “To tell you the truth, Parson, there wasn't much competition.”

“There wasn't?”

“Not at my school,” she informed. “I don't know why but the kids at my school don't like to run. I like to run everywhere. That's why I won. They just weren't used to it and I was. Two miles is nothing.”

“Well, I still think it's an accomplishment. I'm proud of you.”

“Thank you, Parson. Ah, Parson, my Mom said I should come in here and tell you to go home.”

“Your Mom told you to tell me to go home? Where's your Mom?”

“She's in the car waiting for me.”

“Waiting for you to tell me to go home?”

“Yes, sir.”

“Do you know why she wants me to go home?”

“Yes, she said there's a storm coming and you shouldn't be here at the church 'cause it's too dangerous.”

“How bad a storm does your Mom say it is?”

“Parson, there's a tornado warning. Everybody is supposed to take shelter.”

“What about you and your Mom?”

“We're on our way to our basement, Parson. Mom said you need to go somewhere, too.”

“I see. Well, I … So, you and your Mom are afraid of the storm?”

“She is, Parson. I'm not.”

“You're not?”

“Nope, storm's are cool. They are powerful. I love to watch them.”

“Well, I'm not afraid either, Glenda. And I love to watch them, too.”

“Okay, Parson. We can both watch them but don't you think God would want you to watch it from a safe place?”

The parson smiled at the ten-year-old who had just reminded him of his Mother. He stood, looked over to the corner at his faithful canine companion curled up on the blanket. “Come on, Charlie Brown,” he said as he stuffed things into the briefcase. “Let's go watch the storm.”

As they reached the outside door Glenda said, “Thank you, Parson.”

 

Comments

[Gord]

[like]