The Official Order

After he finished eating, John rose from the kitchen table and headed for the front door. I followed him because I wanted to know how he knew about our child and how he knew what to do when Mary was ill at the table. It would also be our chance to speak alone. We were from the same time era, and I thought maybe I could answer some of his questions about this century. He found a comfortable spot on the edge of the porch where he sat down and let his legs hang over the side. I came and sat down beside him.

"Well, John, what do you think of this new way of living?" I asked.

"There is nothing new under the sun," He said.

"It's certainly new to me," I returned quickly.

"It is for me as well; but not for Jesus," he said, indicating he had already had this conversation with Jesus.

"I can see you are going to be a tremendous source of encouragement for me," I said insightfully.

As we looked out over the horizon I noticed how blue and beautiful the sky was. There were a few fluffs of clouds floating by without a care in the world, making shadows on the ground below them as they passed by. The hills and dales were green and rolling, giving me an urge to run and play as I did as a child. I hadn't experienced that sensation since becoming a Roman soldier, and it was somehow refreshing.