A Hope Undaunted by Julie Lessman

Author:Julie Lessman [Lessman, Julie]
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
Tags: ebook, book
ISBN: 9781441213105
Publisher: Baker Publishing Group
Published: 2010-07-07T20:00:00+00:00

John Brady yawned as he trudged up the moon-washed steps of the brick house where his wife and child were sound asleep, and almost hated to glance at his watch. Four o’clock in the morning! A groan rumbled in his chest at the thought of Teddy rising at six, pumped full of energy for another new day. The polished wood floor echoed his groan as he entered the foyer, smiling at the stuffed monkey astride the wooden rocking horse he had made for his son. Maybe Lizzie would keep him quiet before church so he could sleep in, Brady thought, although that was a monumental task, he knew. But Lizzie would manage, he was sure, and as always, he whispered a prayer of gratitude for the woman in his bed.

He moved down the hall toward their bedroom at the back of the house as silently as the creaky floor would allow, touching the side of his jaw that still throbbed from Luke’s blows. He ducked in the bathroom and carefully closed the door, then grinned at the blood on his face when he turned on the light. But injury and lack of sleep notwithstanding, he wouldn’t have traded a solitary moment of his evening with Cluny McGee. A pain in his shoulder suddenly vied with his jaw, and he winced. Well, maybe one or two that wouldn’t have left such a mark on his tired body.

Tonight had been like old times – easy conversation with the boy who had become like a son, now a man who had become a good friend. Laughter, confession, prayer – hours of bonding between two men bent on serving God. Brady stripped off his shirt and turned on the water, grateful for the sore but solid muscles he saw in the mirror. They had won him a battle tonight, taking Luke all the way to the throne of grace. Gratitude eased their ache as he cupped several handfuls of water to his head and chest. He soaped his hair and under his arms, then leaned in and doused his head under the sink and then his torso. With another wide yawn, he dried off, wiped down the sink, then donned his old, ragged T-shirt that Lizzie always threatened to burn. After brushing his teeth, he flicked off the light and opened the door, the clean smell of soap following him down the hall. The very scent forced moisture to his eyes. Sweet mercy, how he loved being clean! Both in body and soul, and God had done just that, cleansing him of a past that had stained him far too long.

Though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool.

White as snow . . . just like him.

And now, Luke.

Brady took off his trousers and tossed them on the hamper before slipping under the coolness of the lone sheet that was the only cover Lizzie could abide. The bed radiated

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