Part 27 (1/2)
Joe and Jenna Campbell led their three children into Jericho Park and set up their blanket not far from the famous statue, the one that had caused a national commotion almost a year earlier.
”Okay kids, there it is. The Jesus statue.”
Their ten-year-old son c.o.c.ked his head and stared up at the eyes of the statue, taking in the way Jesus' hands were out-stretched, welcoming, beckoning all who were weary to come. ”That's exactly how I picture Jesus, Dad.”
Joe stared at the statue, liking the way its presence dominated the park. ”Yes, son. Me too.”
The family moved closer, and Jenna put their picnic basket down as the five of them formed a circle on the ground.
”Why are we here again, Dad?” Their six-year-old daughter smiled through curious eyes. Joe knew she was unaware of all that had gone on since the trial, back when he'd been fired by the New York school district.
”Well, honey, about a year ago Daddy lost his job because he wanted to pray with one of the kids at school.” He looked at his wife and saw tears glistening in her eyes. ”Mommy and I wanted to come here to celebrate how good G.o.d is for taking care of us and getting me a new job.”
Their eight-year-old daughter nodded as though she under-stood the situation completely. ”That's why we moved here, right, Daddy?”
Joe grinned and tousled the child's hair.” Right, sweetheart. A few months ago a nice attorney here in Bethany, a Mr. Riley-” he caught Jenna's gaze- ”called me and told me about a teaching job at the high school here. He put in a good word for me, and I got hired.” He looked at the faces of his family and felt his heart swell with gratefulness. ”We're here today to celebrate G.o.d and all He's done for us, for His provision and love and care.”
Jenna took his hand and finished the thought for him. ”And for sending Mr. Riley at just the right time.”
Joe thought back to that awful day in court, when Jordan Riley had fought so hard against him and he'd lost his job. He could see it as clearly as if it had happened yesterday. There they were, Jenna and him, immediately after the judge's decision, bowing their heads together in prayer, scarcely aware of the chaos that reigned in the courtroom. Joe drew a deep breath and searched the faces of his children, wondering how much they understood. ”The day I lost my job, your mom and I prayed very, very hard.”
Their oldest daughter angled her head, curiously. ”Did you pray for a new job, Daddy?”
”No, we didn't, honey.” He smiled at his wife and gently squeezed her fingers. ”We weren't worried about that because G.o.d always takes care of us.” He paused. ”We prayed that Mr. Riley might love Jesus one day”
”That was a good thing to pray, right, Daddy?” Their youngest nodded confidently ”But does he?”
”Yeah, Daddy, does he love Jesus now?” The kids spoke at the same time, and Joe and Jenna laughed.
”Yes.” Joe's eyes were suddenly wet. He remembered Jordan's phone call a few months earlier, the tears in the man's voice as he apologized for costing Joe his job... and the joy as Jordan shared the fact that he had joined the ranks of believers. ”Yes, kids, he loves Jesus very, very much.”
”That's kind of like a miracle, isn't it, Dad?” Their oldest waited for an answer.
”Yes.” Joe gathered his family close and gazed up at the Jesus statue. ”It's the best miracle of all.”
FEDERAL COURT RULES CITY NOT REQUIRED.
TO HIDE STATUE OF JESUS.
(Marshfield, Wisconsin)-An atheist group's request to erect a ten-foot-high wall around a statue of Jesus was denied May 9, 2000, by U.S. District Court Judge John Shabaz. The decision came as a result of a lawsuit filed by the Freedom From Religion Foundation, whose goal was to remove or hide the statue, which has stood in a Marshfield city park since 1959.
The case was dismissed by the U.S. District Court after the city sold the statue to a private landowner in December, 1998. On appeal, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit held on February 4, 2000, that the sale of the statue was valid and appropriate, but ordered the city to take steps to differenti-ate between the property owned by the city and the private property where the statue is located.
Judge Shabaz in his final decision said the Const.i.tution did not require what he called ”visual separation” of the statue from the rest of the park. He accepted the proposal from the city requiring the erection of a four-foot-high, wrought-iron fence that will not block the view of the statue. The city will display a sign signifying that the statue and the land it sits on is privately owned.
The city of Marshfield was represented by the American Center for Law and Justice (ACLJ), and by Harold Wolf gram, a.s.sistant city attorney for the city of Marshfield. The ACLJ spe-cializes in First Amendment law and focuses on pro-family, pro-life, and pro-liberty cases.
Although On Every Side was inspired by this true event, it is not intended to accurately depict any aspect of either the ACLJ, the Freedom From Religion Foundation, or any other person or event involved or a.s.sociated with the actual incident as it took place.
Dear family and friends: It's good to meet with you again and as always to thank you for traveling with me through the pages of this, my latest book. I must tell you how much I enjoyed writing On Every Side-both the heart-stopping research and the way G.o.d worked in me, bringing down walls of my own as He brought Faith and Jordan and Joshua to life.
As with all my books, there is a nugget of truth nestled between the lines of this story. The truth is that walls have been around since the beginning of time, whether they belonged to Adam and Eve, who allowed a barrier between themselves and G.o.d, or the people of Jericho, who believed they could keep G.o.d out by building a wall around their city.
Before I wrote On Every Side, I thought walls were more of an Old Testament issue. Walled-in cities; walled-in, stubborn people; temple wall, that kind of thing. But as the story came to life, G.o.d began to make something very clear.
Walls are a part of our lives to this very day Oh, we may not think we've put walls between G.o.d and us. I certainly didn't think so. But I discovered that without meaning to, I had allowed schedules and responsibilities and the busyness of life to put distance between the Lord and me. In a sense, I allowed walls to form. I'm guessing that this is true for you as well. Though your intentions may have been good, though they may still be good, somewhere along the way you've allowed s.p.a.ce to come between you and the Father.
It is my prayer that in reading this book you've had a chance to take stock of your faith life. That where you've recognized walls, you've found time perhaps even now to draw nearer to G.o.d, to tear down the walls and enjoy once again that intimate walk with Him.