Billy was wandering the halls of the orphanage looking for his shoes so he could go out and play, when he heard voices. They were coming from the warden’s office; although the words were muffled he could still make them out.
“I told you; I can’t have him getting into trouble anymore. It’s giving our once highly respected orphanage a bad name,” the warden said.
Miss Martin replied in almost a sneer, “Well what do you want me to do about it?”
Once again the warden said,” I told you!”
“Well enlighten me again; this whole plan doesn’t make sense. How do we get rid of him?”
The warden sighed, “Okay here’s the plan; we get him adopted-“
Miss Martin cut him off saying, “Adopted! Who in their right minds would adopt Billy?”
In that instance Billy knew he had to get out of there, he didn’t know where he would go, but he knew he had to leave. Even he knew he could never be adopted, and who would want to be adopted anyways? He went running down the hall and onto the grass that was half dead forgetting his shoes, which were still inside. Across the yard he saw Thomas, his best friend. Billy ran over to him and explained the situation.
Thomas replied, “Billy, you are only nine and it’s the depression. Where are you going to go?”
Billy thought about that and replied, "We will leave together and live off the streets; it could be fun.”
Thomas, who also was nine, wasn’t very adventurous and Billy was always pushing him to do things.
So not wanting to be a downer to Billy’s excitement he replied, “all right but we need to get moving before they notice.” With that they were off.
Four Years Later-1932
Billy was sprinting, but he didn’t care, this is what he did. Usually he would get a sausage from a cart but today as he was walking by a store, he saw delicious red apples just waiting for him.
That’s why he was running. He swerved in and out of people and down alleys until finally he lost the store owner. He took a couple more rights and a left until he made it back to the alley he and his gang called home. It wasn’t really a gang though, it was more like a family, and there were six of them including him and Thomas. He walked up and called his families names. They popped out of boxes and trash cans with bright smiles.
Billy said, “Okay boys, I’ve got us all some apples.” All at once they started shouting their praise.
”All right, all right settle down,” Thomas hollered.
Billy cast him a sympathetic look before saying, “Okay line up single file. Relax I’ve got one for all of you.”
So Billy passed out the apples and smiled, it was the middle of September but still sunny and warm in New York City, which was rare. He decided that since the weather was so nice, they should take a walk in the park and get some fresh air, they sure needed it.
”I’ve got an idea, how about a walk?”Billy suggested.
The boys stared at him and he saw slowly, one by one, the excitement flashing through their eyes. Together Thomas and Billy gathered the now restless little boys, ranging in age from five to ten. They marched down the street observing every little thing the boys saw. So they were constantly stopping, but it didn’t bother Billy, he enjoyed it. Finally they reached the park and they all sat down with their apples.
Even though Billy was only thirteen, he was like a dad to these boys he took in and he wouldn’t have it any other way. He observed each boy in turn, stopping every few minutes to answer questions and ask them as well. After about an hour, the boys decided it was time to go home, so yet again they marched through the city teeming with life. Billy was halfway across the street when he heard tires screech and a horn honk. Then everything was black.
The last thing he heard was Thomas yelling, “Billy! Look out!”
Thomas saw the whole incident and was almost hysterical with fright as he was screaming over and over, “Help! Somebody help him!”
Finally after what seemed like ages, a man in nice clothes stepped out of the now gathering crowd and stooped down to pick up Billy. In a frantic voice Thomas asked what he was doing.
The stranger replied, “I’m helping your friend, gather up the other boys and follow me to the hospital.”Thomas did as he said; practically shaking by the time they got to their destination.
Several hours later Billy woke up and asked where he was and what happened.
Thomas answered him, “You were hit by a car, your head is banged up and you broke your leg and a couple ribs.”
Just then Billy noticed the pain coursing through his body. At that same moment he also noticed a strange man sitting on the opposite side of the hospital room reading a book.
Being the always curious boy that he was, Billy asked, “So what are you reading?”
Looking up with a smile the man replied, “Well this is a Bible.”
Not quite sure what that was, Billy questioned, “What’s a Bible?”
The man was stunned until finally he answered, “It’s like a guide book from God, I consult it whenever someone’s in trouble. In fact I was just reading Jeremiah 29:11,’for I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.’”
Billy contemplated that and then asked who the man was.
The man chuckled as he said,” I ‘m John Barnes.”
Billy liked the man already but was still confused on why he was still here, but John answered each and every question in a patient, kind way. Eventually John and the boys had to leave for the night, John being a courteous gentleman, invited the boys to spend the night at his house. This pattern continued for several days until Billy was finally released from the hospital. John escorted them all to their alley, but was worried for their welfare.
Billy assured him they were fine, “we’ve lived like this for years, I’m sure we’ll survive another night.”
But John would not consent and insisted they stay at his house.
Billy thought about it and finally replied, “I guess we can stay, but only until my leg fully heals.”
John tried to convince him to stay longer but Billy would not be wavered, so John just agreed. After several weeks under John’s wing, Billy was learning a lot, especially about God, love, and mercy. The day came when Billy finally got his splint off. On the way home John struck up a serious conversation with Billy as the other boys ran ahead.
“I have decided that I don’t want you to stay with me anymore.”
In a quiet voice Billy said, “Okay.”
Then John started to explain in a sure strong voice that sounded as if God himself was speaking through him, “I don’t want you just to stay with me, I want to adopt you and your friends, Billy.”
Billy was so shocked that all he could say was, “I’m not sure.”
John replied, “You don’t have to answer me today, you can think and pray about it.”
Since Billy didn’t pray and didn’t feel like telling John that at such an intense moment he just simply said, “I will definitely think about it.”
Satisfied with Billy’s answer, John drove them all back to his house. That night the boys had a secret meeting in Thomas’ room where Billy told them about the conversation with John and his generous proposal. They all reached a unanimous agreement and quietly slipped back into their rooms.
Morning came with an enormous sunrise, the perfect way to start a busy and complicated yet hopeful day. Billy and the boys waited at the table for John all with a slight grin on their faces. John finally arrived with his Bible in hand and as he glanced up, he chuckled and asked if he was late for something. The boys just continued to grin as Billy explained that they all would like to accept his offer. John shouted with joy and immediately started to pray out loud to God.
Billy was quite shocked but just went along with it. They all spent the rest of the day reading out of the Bible and joining in fellowship. Finally the time came for dinner and John started it off by once again praying out loud except this time he let the boys put in their in-put. Every boy but Billy praised God or thanked him. It was Billy’s turn but he didn’t have anything to say so he simply and universally said thank-you.
That night John personally prayed with each boy at their beds. The time came when John sat at the end of Billy’s bed and started to pray with him. Billy didn’t listen, but that night as he was drifting in and out of sleep, he thought about the day and all of the prayer. He decided it wouldn’t hurt to pray just once, so in a small, quiet voice Billy prayed, “Dear God, I know you don’t really know me but I’d like to be a part of your kingdom.” From then on Billy’s life was never the same.
No comments:
Post a Comment