THE SHOUT OF A KING

THE SHOUT OF A KING By Tessa Harvey  Alice was greatly reassured to hear this. Then she said "Do you know I have been thinking of the story of the Prodigal Son, Luke chapter 15 in the Bible. You haven't explained exactly what happened about Ashley and I don't need to know. She sounds as though she is a wonderful sister. Just perhaps, though, like the elder brother she felt she had been faithful..." "And I wasn't," Moira added. "Simon wasn't nice either. I see that now. I just went my own way, not God's." The two women chatted for a while and, while Jasmine slept, Alice showed her the garden. Moira loved seeing how the plants and bulbs had changed, and resolved to have her own garden as soon as she could. Declining Alice's offer of an overnight stay a little reluctantly, she gathered up her belongings preparing to leave. Alice felt to add a loving word of warning: "Simon may truly want to change, dear, but he must have a lot of ...

THE SHOUT OF A KING Final installment Monday

THE SHOUT OF A KING By Tessa Harvey Ashley sighed and looked out of the lounge window. The flowering cherry leaves hung dark and lifeless in the rain. They had looked glorious a few weeks ago. Yet now some had fallen, she could see the strong buds promising new leaves and flowers in coming months. Jack had said little after her outburst of yesterday. He hadn't needed to, holding her after they had gone home and settled baby Jack. Feeling guilty, she had really cried. Today she had called her parents and apologized. They had been gracious and loving, their unconditional love mirroring that of the Lord God. Now Ashley had to call her sister. Sighing again, she dialed the familiar number. Moira answered quickly and the sisters chatted for a few minutes. When the call ended, both felt as though a shadow passing over their lives had gone. Alice had withdrawn to the kitchen to give her guest some privacy. Hearing Moira call, she returned and was pleased to see her young friend happy. Pic...

THE SHOUT OF A KING By Tessa Harvey Alice was leaning back in her favourite chair, eyes closed. A cup of fragrant steaming tea sat at her right hand, balanced somewhat precariously on a small carved Indian table inlaid with decorative ivory. May A sound alerted her. A car door slammed, then another. Visitor? Standing, Alice moved to the window. A woman and her baby were walking towards her door. At first Alice did not recognise the young woman, then with joy opened the door and hurried to give Moira a hug. The young mother was so different from the year before, well-dressed, her hair buoyant and shining with health. The child beamed at the old lady and jerked in her mother's arms. Alice stood back and gazed lovingly at them both. Moira felt like a daughter to her, or rather, granddaughter, she thought wryly, remembering her age. So baby...Jasmine...would be a great grandie. The younger woman hugged her also. Tears threatened to overwhelm both adults, but the baby's wriggles to ...

THE SHOUT OF A KING By Tessa Harvey Simon looked earnestly around at the family, his eyes clear and direct. He was in his right mind. Derek gave him a hug. "Because we have been praying for you.  Because Jesus paid all our debt of evil on the Cross. He took all of our wickedness and suffered for us. No-one, no-one is good no matter how nice they seem." Wendy beamed. "Jesus rose from the dead also," she added. "He alone is the way, the truth and the life. No one can come to the Father God without Jesus." At that moment, Ashley and Jack burst in, with their baby Jack, who was yelling in annoyance at being hurried along. Ashley glanced around and saw Simon. "Why isn't he in the psych ward?" she demanded, angrily. "Look how he treated my sister and you, you all are sitting here like best friends!" Jack held out a restraining arm, but Ashley moved away, her whole body radiating rage. "I've been worried sick day and night about m...

THE SHOUT OF A KING By Tessa Harvey Meanwhile Simon had rallied to help, forgetting for once to be absorbed totally in himself. He had rang for help on his cell phone and had hurried around to help his wife. He had also called Wendy. Help soon arrived. Derek and Simon were taken to the hospital, while Jasmine was driven home in Wendy's car with her mother. The women enjoyed a welcome hot drink, and baby Jasmine had her diaper changed and was given a drink of milk. She was happy and peaceful. Then the women were glad to be contacted by the hospital. It was Derek. Happily, he was pronounced totally fit. He had been at the end of his strength. Simon had been so much better he had signed himself out of the psychiatric ward, as no charges had been laid against him and he was a voluntary patient. He had not been obliged to remain, but was strongly advised to see his own doctor and receive counselling. Both men arrived not long after to join the women. Simon had a very big question for De...

THE SHOUT OF A KING By Tessa Harvey Suddenly Simon yelled as he caught sight of his wife. "I looked for you," he cried, "I thought you must be near the sea. Come home, please," he added seeing the shock on her face, even from a distance. But Moira was actually horrified by how near the cliff edge Simon stood balanced. Derek ran forward to try to warn him, but too late. A segment of cliff crumbled and broke away. With a shrill scream, Simon slipped. His body twisted, desperately, hands grabbing for grass tufts, anything, but he halted only for a few seconds until the clump gave way. It had given him a tiny respite to slow his descent a little. Derek was climbing up as fast as he could to try to reach his son-in-law. With a tremendous effort, he shoved his shoulders under Simon's feet, giving him the support he needed to help himself scrabble up and reach safety. Derek slid against the cliff, his own hold precarious. But his daughter had hurried forward.  Her firs...

THE SHOUT OF A KING By Tessa Harvey It was then that inspiration came. He ate the meal which was very good. He had not realised he was so hungry, then he waited and watched. Groups of people came in the ward. They must have some sort of intercom outside the door. Once they explained who they were visiting, the door lock released and they came in. Getting out was not going to be too difficult. Simon headed for a door leading to a beautiful green, enclosed area with tall ferns and shrubs - open to the sky. He looked engrossed in the quiet place and even went in for a while. Then a group of young people came along to go back out of the ward, and the door was released. Calmly, Simon slipped out with them and walked briskly, not running, down a staircase.  On the next level, he took a lift and pressed the Exit button. In the ward, patients wore their own clothes, so Simon did not stand out in any way. He blended with the crowd. In his pocket, he had his credit card and some cash. He wou...

THE SHOUT OF A KING By Tessa Harvey When he was first admitted to the psychiatric ward, Simon had been distant and seemed confused. Gradually he became aware of his surroundings, realising he was in a small room next to the nurses' station. Some previous occupant had left behind bright flowers in a plastic tumbler. The significance of the tumbler being plastic, not glass escaped him. He went to the nurses' station. It was almost completely enclosed in clear glass. Simon banged for attention. A male nurse pointed to a sign "No excuse for abuse!" and turned his back. This angered Simon. "Who do you think you are?" he demanded. "I don't need to be here and I have my own home and a very good job. Who brought me here? I need to have a shower and shave and prepare for tomorrow's work. Let me out!" An orderly came to escort Simon back to his room. A few minutes later a doctor came to talk to him, to explain why he was there. A nurse came in with m...