All My Secrets by Lynn Austin

Author:Lynn Austin [Austin, Lynn]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: FICTION / Christian / Historical, FICTION / Historical / 20th Century / World War II
ISBN: 9781496437471
Publisher: Tyndale House Publishers
Published: 2024-02-06T00:00:00+00:00

A week later, I waited for Art to return from work in the evening so I could tell him about the man who had died in his place. I knocked on his bedroom door and asked if I could come in and talk without Arthur or Roger there.

“I need to tell you about something that has happened,” I began. “May I sit down?”

He nodded and gestured to the small seating area in his suite as he unbuttoned his suitcoat and loosened his tie. He looked weary and older than his thirty-eight years, worn down by the pressures of his work. And undoubtedly by his father. For all of Art’s labor, he seldom had a chance to enjoy the huge sums of money he was making.

“What’s on your mind?” he asked after removing his jacket.

“I’ve learned that the man who went to war in your place has been killed in battle. His name is Ian Murphy, and he left behind a wife and small son.”

I read several emotions in Art’s expression—surprise, concern, anger—before he turned away. “I’m sorry to hear that.”

“You and I were once friends, Art, and although we haven’t been close for a while, I still couldn’t help thinking that it might have been you. I could be that widow, and A.B. the fatherless son. I thank God that it wasn’t you. That you’re still here with us.” I rose from my chair and went to him as my tears fell. He took me in his arms and let me hold him.

“How did you find out about him?” Art asked.

“I met Ian when he enlisted in your place. He asked me to look after his wife while he was away, so I have been. She told me the news. I promised Ian that I would take care of Kate and the baby if anything happened to him, and I intend to keep that promise. I wondered if . . . if you would like to stay in touch with them, too. Help them get by.”

Art released me and took a few steps backward to sit down on his bed. “I suppose I owe him that much,” he said softly.

“I keep thinking, what if you had been born poor? What if you hadn’t been able to pay for a substitute? It could be you in that grave in Virginia. But it isn’t. Aren’t you grateful to God that someone could fight in your place?” He didn’t reply. “To meet a man who was so young and alive—and to know that he’s gone—it really brought home to me the story of how Jesus died in my place. I guess I’ve never had such a vivid example before, of the sacrifice He made for me. I’m grateful for that. And I can’t seem to stop crying.”

“Come here, Junie.” I went to sit beside him on the bed and he wrapped his arm around my shoulders. “You have a heart as big as the ocean. I hear nothing but admiration from my colleagues and their wives for the good work your foundation does.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.