Looking For You All My Life Part 118

a nice person."

"He really seems to have changed."

"Excuse ~ Michael poked his head in the doorway.

"Oh, I am sorry. I did not know you were eating."

"No. It's okay. I'm just finis.h.i.+ng up. Come in and sit

down, Michael. I haven't had a chance to talk to you for a

while, and I've been wondering how you are doing. Are you

staying warm enough these days?"

He smiled. "I am finally getting adjusted." Then his dark

eyes registered concern. "But I am worried that I may have

mixed things up for you, Maggie. Is everything all right? Jed

said that Leah must come stay with him and that I must stay

here. Is that what you want too?"

Maggie nodded. "Sure, I'm happy to have you come stay

with us, Michael." She wondered how to explain this com-

plicated scenario, and finally decided just to tell it like it was.

"You see, Jed was worried about Leah's welfare because I

invited Gavin to stay here at my house. I guess I never con-

sidered that it could present a problem. I felt sorry that

Gavin had no place to stay and...and I think you'll under-

stand this, Michael, because it's what you said about how

when we do things for people who are in need, we're doing

them for Jesus. Well, it just seemed right to offer Gavin a

place to stay until he's able to get a place of his own. Does

that make any sense?" She knew she was probably telling

him way too much, but he was such a good listener; so easy

Looking for You All My Life185

to talk to, and before she finished his eyes lit with under-

standing.

"I think you have done exactly the right thing, Maggie.

Already Gavin has told me about how much of his life has

been wasted. And he told me about how he is changing. You

have helped him. That is a very good thing."

She smiled weakly. "Really? You think so?"

He nodded with enthusiasm. "Yes! The Bible says that

when we give someone help, or food, or a place to sleep, or

any other kindness, it is like we are giving itto Jesus. That is

a very good thing."

She sighed. "Yes. That's what I thought too. I'm just sorry

that the whole thing upset Leah. But I'm glad you get to stay

with us, Michael. I hope you'll make yourself at home."

Michae l's words were a real comfort, and yet she still felt

sadly deflated as she prepared for bed. She checked her

email, only to confirm her certainty that Jed hadn't answered

her latest heartfelt message-oh, how she wished she could

retrieve it back from cybers.p.a.ce! She couldn't even

remember exactly what she'd written, she'd been so tired at

the time. Perhaps after what happened today, he wouldn't be

checking his email so regularly anymore.