Welcome to the Whyte House Family Spoken Novels podcast: Holiday Edition episode #23. Today we are reading chapter 23 of the novel “The Thanksgiving Letters” by Daniel Whyte III with Meriqua Whyte.
❊❊❊
Bruce was shell-shocked at the scheming ways of Cassia’s mother that had put an innocent man in jail. Barbara looked at Lacey who was dabbing her eyes. Clemen had his arm around her hoping his family’s mess was not too much for her to bear.
“What are you crying for now? This has nothing to do with you,” Barbara snapped at her. “I should be the one crying that my son married a tramp like you.”
“This is it, Clemen,” Lacey said standing up. “I told you on the way down here that if your mother insults me, this will be the last time we visit. I’m going to pack our things and we’re leaving,” she said pushing her chair out and stepping away from the table. “You know what, no, on second thought,” she said turning around, “I am going to stay here and say what is on my mind right now.”
Addressing her father-in-law, Lacey said, “Daddy Fleming, you have nothing to do with this. I thank God for you and for your loving spirit.”
Turning to her mother-in-law, she continued, “Mrs. Fleming, Clemen may not want to share his true feelings with you, but I will. Ever since high school, you have tried to discourage Clemen from talking to me. I saw how controlling you were of him on prom night. Every exchange you and I have had has been negative. I heard you tell Clemen that I was the reason we did not have a big house like yours. You have tried to have some kind of secretive relationship with him behind my back.”
“Lacey,” Clemen said, “sit down and let’s just leave well enough alone.”
“No! There is nothing well enough to leave alone here. She is trying to ruin our marriage and I dare her to do so. We have a sweet baby girl here, and I will not allow your mother to ridicule her and put her down as she gets older because she does not approve of me and that is where it is headed. Clemen, you’re going to have to choose between me and your mother today. You’re a grown man, married at that, who has been living away from home for almost four years now; and yes, I agree that you should respect her as your mother. But in my opinion, baby, there is not going to be any respect if she does not offer me the same respect we’re obligated to show her and that she obviously wants so badly.”
Barbara Fleming pursed her lips. The pride and anger showed on her face. An uncomfortable silence filled the room. Clemen knew his wife was right on the matter. He looked at her and then turned to his mother.
“Lacey is right. Mom, let me dispel the notion you have that I am still hanging on to your apron strings — I cut them long ago. You have tried to control my life and live my life for me ever since I’ve been a little boy. I missed out on some things I wanted to do because I was trying to please you. You even wanted me to marry Antoinette and you pushed so hard for that so that you would be able to keep tabs on me. But I am thankful that did not work out. Now, no one knows where Antoinette is, including her parents, because of you. Don’t worry. I’ve already told everything to Lacey including the abortion Antoinette had which you probably pushed her to do. Knowing you, I don’t put that far from you.”
“How dare you blame me for that?” Barbara shouted. “I had nothing to do with that at all. In fact, I tried to stop her from killing that baby.”
“I don’t believe you, but, I’m just saying, Mom. Only you know. It’s just amazing Antoinette goes through you to get a message to me. From now on, anything you say to me, you say it in front of my wife; and if you’re going to have a problem with that let me know and we just won’t communicate at all. I will not let you ruin the two best things God has given to me, my wife and my daughter.”
Alexander snatched up the carving knife. “All your mess is coming back to bite you in the butt, Barbara. You’ve caused a lot of damage,” he told her. “And I admit I’ve done my share as well.”
“You’re one to talk,” Barbara retorted. “Why is no one condemning you for all your mess?”
“Mom, he’s already confessed,” Art spoke up. “He’s not trying to put up a front as you are.”
Cambia agreed. “Plus, he’s been the best dad I could ask for. He’s always given his support even when we messed up, and we have all forgiven him.”
An expression of gratitude spread across Alexander’s face. He cut the turkey, slicing off thick pieces. “Let’s try and finish this meal. Plates, now.”
Before he could place the first cut on a plate, the doorbell rang again.
“I’ll get it,” he said.
❊❊❊
Thank you for joining us for this episode of Whyte House Family stories. You may purchase a copy of this novel and any other Christian fiction books read on this podcast from Amazon.com.
Now, dear listener, please know that God—the divine Author of all things—wants to write a great story with your life as well. But first you must give Him the pen by trusting Him with the life He gave you and surrendering your heart to Jesus Christ as Savior. Here is how:
1. Accept the fact that you are a sinner, and that you have broken God’s law. The Bible says in Ecclesiastes 7:20: “For there is not a just man upon earth that doeth good, and sinneth not.” Romans 3:23 reads: “For all have sinned and come short of the glory of God.”
2. Accept the fact that there is a penalty for sin. The Bible states in Romans 6:23: “For the wages of sin is death…”
3. Accept the fact that you are on the road to hell. Jesus Christ said in Matthew 10:28: “And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.” The Bible says in Revelation 21:8: “But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.”
4. Accept the fact that you cannot do anything to save yourself! The Bible states in Ephesians 2: 8, 9: “For by grace are ye saved through faith: and that not of yourselves: it is a gift of God. Not of works, lest any man should boast.”
5. Accept the fact that God loves you more than you love yourself, and that He wants to save you from hell. Jesus Christ said in John 3:16, “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”
6. With these facts in mind, please repent of your sins, believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and pray and ask Him to come into your heart and save you this very moment. The Bible states in the book of Romans 10:9, 13: “That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised Him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.”
“For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.”
Dear friend, if you are willing to believe on the Lord Jesus Christ for salvation, please pray with me this simple prayer: Heavenly Father, I realize that I am a sinner and that I have done some bad things in my life. For Jesus Christ sake, please forgive me of my sins. I now believe with all of my heart that Jesus Christ died for me, was buried, and rose again. Lord Jesus, please come into my heart and save my soul and change my life today. Amen.
If you believed in your heart that Jesus Christ died on the cross, was buried, and rose again, allow me to say, congratulations on doing the most important thing in life and that is accepting Jesus Christ as your Lord and Saviour! For more information to help you grow in your newfound faith in Christ, go to Gospel Light Society.com and read “What To Do After You Enter Through the Door”. Jesus Christ said in John 10:9, “I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture.”
May God bless you until next time.
BCNN1 WP 