And the Shofar Blew by Francine Rivers

Author:Francine Rivers
Language: eng
Format: mobi, epub
Tags: Fiction
Publisher: Wheaton, Ill. : Tyndale House Publishers, c2003.
Published: 2012-01-10T17:32:30+00:00

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PAUL SAT in the front row of his father’s

church, his mother on one side, and his wife

and son on the other. Staring straight ahead,

he struggled against the anger gnawing. Old hurts rose, taunting him as he

listened to the speakers praise his father. Representatives from the community, the state, the nation were in attendance. Five thousand people were

here to pay their respects, among them state politicians, movie stars, wellknown evangelical preachers, as well as other religious leaders who lauded

David Hudson for his love of all mankind. There was even a guru in the

crowd, along with a dozen of his robed followers sitting in the pews.

Flowers and messages of condolence had been pouring in. People magazine

had called his mother for an interview.

He should have known his father would find some way out of the world

before the Valley New Life Center was complete. Another five years and

Paul might have earned his father’s respect and approval.

Too late now. David Hudson, renowned evangelical preacher, was being

laid to rest, his eloquence silenced forever. Other than what he had to say in

the book that still topped the best-seller lists.

His mother refused to speak to anyone in the press. “If you love me,

Paul, you will say nothing. You will sit beside me and hold my hand and

help me get through this three-ring circus!” She was pale, dark circles under

her eyes, and so distraught he didn’t argue. “I don’t want his funeral to be a

golden opportunity.”

Opportunity? The word stung.

So here he sat among thousands, silent, holding her hand and his tongue

while others outside the church praised his father. He could have said more

and said it better than newspaper reporters and those in front of the TV

238 q Francine Rivers

cameras. Who knew a father better than his own son? Would people wonder why he wasn’t speaking? Would they take it as an affront to the memory of the great David Hudson? But he’d abide by his mother’s wishes.

Unless she changed her mind. He leaned down, but her hand tightened.

Her face was rigid, her ashen face streaked with tears.

Everything was being done according to her wishes. Even the simple service with Joseph Wheeler presiding. Paul wondered how many attendees

were offended by the gospel message. He could hear the shifting in the

pews, the soft murmuring voices. Wheeler didn’t falter. He spelled it out in

simple, uncompromising steps to salvation. Jesus saves. No one else. He

gave the benediction, and the praise orchestra began the postlude. Eunice

probably loved the hymns. The ushers came forward to escort him and his

mother up the aisle. Eunice and Tim followed close behind.

Photographers, cameramen, and reporters were waiting out front. His

mother’s hand tightened on his arm. “Stay beside me.”

“They will expect someone to speak for the family.”

“I don’t care what ‘they’ expect. This is the last time your father will be in

the public eye, and we’re going to do what’s right! Say nothing! Do you

understand me, Paul? Not a word.” She drew the black veil down over her

face and walked with him out the front doors of the church.

Cameras flashed.

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