Forgiven And Encouraged
Stories
Lectionary Tales For The Pulpit
Series II Cycle B
Lee and JoAnn had foster children in their homes for years. Fifteen children came and went through their twenty years of marriage -- along with three sons of their own. Then they heard about Jon.
To be more exact, they heard about Julie, a ten-year-old who had been beaten and molested as she walked home from school. Jon had been with the two older boys who initiated the crime. Jon had been taken along to "watch and learn."
But Jon was only thirteen years old. And twelve and a half of those thirteen years had been spent in foster homes. Because he was so young, Jon was sentenced to home confinement until he was eighteen. JoAnn and Lee asked the court to have Jon in their home.
Jon came immediately; the judge was very relieved to have a home for him. And JoAnn and Lee began a new chapter in their life. They still had three foster children in their home: twin boys of ten and another boy of seventeen.
The family sat down and explained the daily routine, including the chores and responsibilities expected of each child. They explained to Jon that every act would have a consequence. Jon would be in charge of his destiny -- either by reward or punishment.
It took the first hour for Jon to understand the seriousness of each family member's role. He didn't feel like washing the dishes, so the younger children couldn't dry and clean up and play outside. Jon felt like watching television. His television privilege was taken away for a week.
After washing the dishes, Jon got into an argument with the seventeen-year-old and punched him. Jon's bike would be locked up for two days. He would have to walk the mile and a half to school.
The family had another meeting before bedtime that first night and Jon was asked if he understood the family structure. He understood the system and his part in it. He would have to learn to cooperate to keep the family going. Everyone would be allowed to try again the next day.
The first week was very difficult as each son sized up Jon. They tested each other to the limit and each time they understood the consequence they faced. They also understood that they were forgiven and encouraged to try yet again.
The first year went by with many trials, but JoAnn, Lee, and the boys came to an understanding: they would have to get along because they had to live together for a long time. The seventeen-year-old turned eighteen and was taken to college amid cries and hugs. Jon was now the oldest and in charge. He had to learn to delegate, supervise, and help. He learned to rely on his younger brothers and also to take care of them. He learned many things in the next years.
Jon stayed with JoAnn and Lee many years. During those years, he came to understand that he was a valued member of the family. He learned to be responsible for his actions. And he learned that when he made a mistake, he had to be accountable and would be allowed to try again. He knew the definition of forgiveness.
To be more exact, they heard about Julie, a ten-year-old who had been beaten and molested as she walked home from school. Jon had been with the two older boys who initiated the crime. Jon had been taken along to "watch and learn."
But Jon was only thirteen years old. And twelve and a half of those thirteen years had been spent in foster homes. Because he was so young, Jon was sentenced to home confinement until he was eighteen. JoAnn and Lee asked the court to have Jon in their home.
Jon came immediately; the judge was very relieved to have a home for him. And JoAnn and Lee began a new chapter in their life. They still had three foster children in their home: twin boys of ten and another boy of seventeen.
The family sat down and explained the daily routine, including the chores and responsibilities expected of each child. They explained to Jon that every act would have a consequence. Jon would be in charge of his destiny -- either by reward or punishment.
It took the first hour for Jon to understand the seriousness of each family member's role. He didn't feel like washing the dishes, so the younger children couldn't dry and clean up and play outside. Jon felt like watching television. His television privilege was taken away for a week.
After washing the dishes, Jon got into an argument with the seventeen-year-old and punched him. Jon's bike would be locked up for two days. He would have to walk the mile and a half to school.
The family had another meeting before bedtime that first night and Jon was asked if he understood the family structure. He understood the system and his part in it. He would have to learn to cooperate to keep the family going. Everyone would be allowed to try again the next day.
The first week was very difficult as each son sized up Jon. They tested each other to the limit and each time they understood the consequence they faced. They also understood that they were forgiven and encouraged to try yet again.
The first year went by with many trials, but JoAnn, Lee, and the boys came to an understanding: they would have to get along because they had to live together for a long time. The seventeen-year-old turned eighteen and was taken to college amid cries and hugs. Jon was now the oldest and in charge. He had to learn to delegate, supervise, and help. He learned to rely on his younger brothers and also to take care of them. He learned many things in the next years.
Jon stayed with JoAnn and Lee many years. During those years, he came to understand that he was a valued member of the family. He learned to be responsible for his actions. And he learned that when he made a mistake, he had to be accountable and would be allowed to try again. He knew the definition of forgiveness.
