Praying for Todd, Part 2

Josh Campbell's church was small in comparison to the other churches in the little town of Pine Grove. There was a good balance of old and young, men and women (well, more women than men) and the typical blend of saint and sinner.

Despite this diversity, not everyone in Josh's church was thrilled that Cindy and her two sons had become weekly attenders at Northside Church. Whatever concern folks had about this little family seemed unfounded in Josh's mind, however, and he had done his best to squelch any rumors. Billy and Jake were both well-behaved young men, and as the older brother, Billy would occasionally help his mother keep Jake from getting out of line. Jake was a typical nine year old boy who had difficulty sitting still for long periods, but he wasn't a problem. In fact, Josh actually hoped some of the other boys would take some lessons in manners from Jake.

School had ended and Vacation Bible School was in full swing when Josh became aware that trouble was brewing between Cindy and Todd. In conjunction with VBS there had always been a summer revival at Northside, and this year the children had worked very hard to learn some songs to sing one night during the revival. Billy and Jake had become involved in VBS even though it meant that Josh had to go out to their home and pick them up.

The day of the children's concert Josh received a call from Cindy asking if he had could pick up the boys that night because she had to work late at Wal-Mart. Josh agreed even though he knew they were hosting the visiting preacher for dinner and he would have to leave early from the meal just to pick up Billy and Jake and make it to the service in time.

When he pulled into their driveway that evening he had expected to see the boys waiting on the porch, but the porch was empty. Frustrated at the delay, Josh jumped out of the van and headed to the front door. The rental home had no air conditioning so the only thing that separated the porch from the living room was a screen door, and before he reached the door he heard Todd yell, “Boys, the preacher is here. I told you he would pick you up.” Billy came running to the door and opened the screen to allow Josh to come in. “I'm sorry, Mr. Josh, but I didn't think you would come and pick us up tonight.”

“I told them boys you'd be here. Ever' preacher'll do anything to add a few more souls to his church,” Todd said.

Josh had become accustomed to Todd's gruff demeanor and didn't find any offense in what he said. And told him so. Todd was also holding a beer in his hand and was obviously happy that he was going to have the house to himself for a few hours.

Within just a few minutes the boys were ready and they were all out the door and into the van. As they were rolling down the road trying to make up lost time, Billy began to share some revelations that made Josh realize things were not as they seemed with Cindy and Todd.

“Dad lost his job yesterday,” Billy spoke in a dead-pan voice. “Really? What happened?” Josh asked. Billy went on to explain that Todd had been fired for insulting his boss. Josh made a mental note that he needed to offer to help them during Todd's unemployment. He knew it would be impossible for the family to live on what Cindy made working at Wal-Mart.

From that moment things began going downhill at breakneck speed for the young family. Todd couldn't find another job and he began drinking more to drown his disappointment and misery, and in his continual drunken condition his obnoxious behavior only got worse. After several weeks Cindy couldn't take the emotional abuse any longer and moved into another house with her boys in tow. The move was only a temporary fix, however, and Cindy decided a different house wasn't far enough from Todd and she packed up her car and moved 150 miles away to start “a new life” she said. Josh was disappointed that he had been unable to reunite this family, but he knew in his heart that unless Todd's behavior changed dramatically there was little hope. So he continued to pray for a transformation in Todd's heart.

One night while Josh and Leanna were cleaning up after dinner the phone rang. It had only been a couple of days since Cindy had moved out of town, and Josh had accepted the fact that they would probably never hear from any of them again. Leanna answered the phone and immediately handed the phone to Josh. “It's a man, but I don't know who it is,” Leanna said, “He said he wants to talk to 'the preacher'.”

When Josh answered the phone he was surprised to hear Todd's voice on the other end. The normally loud and gruff voice had become unusually subdued, but was still recognizable. “Can you come by? I really need to talk,” Todd asked. Josh agreed, and said he would be there in just a few minutes.

When Josh arrived at Todd's house Todd was sitting on the front porch with a beer in his hand. He climbed the steps and sat down in the chair he was offered. They sat in silence for awhile, Josh not really wanting to disturb Todd's thoughts. When he finally began to talk he shared with Josh about how badly he had treated Cindy over the years, and wondered outloud if she would come back if Todd promised to change. Josh didn't want to discourage him, but he explained that it would take a long time for her to begin trusting him again. The conversation evolved from one subject to the next followed by long pauses of silence. For another hour or so Josh listened to Todd and offered counsel until the silence lengthened longer than usual. Josh took that as his cue that it was time to leave.

During their talk Josh had attempted to show Todd how the Lord could help him. Uncharacteristically Todd didn't make any sarcastic comments when he mentioned God. Josh took that as a step in the right direction. Todd never made any movement toward God that night on the front porch, but neither did he push it away as nothing more than that “salvation stuff.”

It wasn't but a few days later that Todd also left Pine Grove. Josh never heard where he went, but he keeps believing he went to find Cindy and Billy and Jake and attempt to reunite his family, and restore his marriage. He also hopes that Todd also found God and learned that all that “salvation stuff” really can change a person's life.

Josh often wonders what happened to that young family, but he also understands that it's the nature of ministry. No matter how much time he spends on people it will always be worthwhile, even if he never sees the results of his efforts.

What Josh found interesting was that in a moment of personal crisis, it was "the preacher" that this religion-hating, beer-drinking, boss-insulting pagan called on. People always seem to know where they can turn to find someone who will accept them as they are and love them despite their failures.