Chapter 8 #2
“I understand. I spent the morning speaking with my father on several private business matters. Some involve more than just him, so I feel less at liberty to speak than on most occasions.”
“It’s a difficult time. One of our clients told us not to look for things to improve any time soon. That was rather disheartening.”
“Yes,” Max said with a sigh. “I’m sure it was. I’m afraid we’re going to have to halt much of our lumber and logging work.”
Evan nodded. “You won’t be the only ones. Frankly, this economy begs all of us to move ahead with cautious prudence. Future plans will have to be given great consideration.”
“I remember hearing Carl Knutsson say that he and Amelia Bronson were considering a delay of their wedding date.” It seemed the perfect way to move the conversation back to their time together on Saturday. This way, Max hoped that Evie might come up in conversation.
“I wouldn’t count on that one. Evie says they’re quite committed to marriage in December, and Carl told me he’s already looking to purchase a home for them.”
“There are many good deals to be had. I just picked up a place myself, though I don’t like the idea of benefitting from someone else’s loss. I checked on the value of the house and made certain to pay the owner its full worth.”
“I admire that about you, Max. You definitely seem to be a man of scruples. I have no idea if Carl has the kind of cash he’d need to secure a similar deal. We seldom talk money.”
“Evie told me she’s been friends with Amelia all of her life.”
“Yes, our families came together through church. Carl and I were friends first. We were inseparable. We went our separate ways in college but we were both drawn to the idea of practicing law, so we kept in close contact even while away. Soon enough we came back together. It’s good to have a friend like Carl. ”
“I would agree, but I’ve never had one,” Max said without thinking. He hurried to move the conversation along. “Still, I find myself most impressed with your sister Evie.”
“I thought you might say as much,” Evan replied as the waiter brought their food. He waited to continue until the man had gone. “I think Evie was most impressed with you as well.”
Max did his best to hide his expression of relief. Clearing his throat, he placed his napkin on his lap. He wanted to ask Evan what she said to give him this indication, but they really didn’t know each other well enough to count on that kind of intimacy.
“Would you mind if I prayed and offered thanks?” Evan asked.
“Not at all.” Max bowed his head.
“Father, we thank You for Your loving kindness and the provision of this meal. Bless the hands that prepared it and the food as we partake of it. Amen.”
“Amen.” Max looked up and smiled. The aroma of the steak was all he needed to dig in without hesitation.
They ate in silence for a few minutes, then Evan picked up a piece of bread and buttered it. What he said next surprised Max.
“I’ve always been a good judge of character. Mother calls it a gift of God, a discerning spirit. I know that you’re a good man, Max. Furthermore, I feel confident, in a way that I can’t hope for you to understand, that you are going to be important to our family.”
Max was intrigued. “How would this come about?”
Evan shrugged. “I have ideas, but I cannot say with any certainty. I just know that you will be important to our family and that our becoming friends isn’t something that has happened by chance. I believe it’s one of God’s purposes for us.”
“You honestly think God works in that way?”
“I do. Evie told me that you didn’t have much faith-based grounding when you were young.
In our family, it was everything. I don’t remember a time when God was not given first place and revered as the unseen guest in our home.
I say this just to offer a bit of advice.
If you are as interested in Evie as I think you are, you’ll need to start with God first.”
Max was rather taken aback. He hadn’t made a declaration for Evie, nor said anything to imply that he would move in that direction anytime soon, and yet Evan so clearly read his desires.
“Evie shared a few things with me about her faith and beliefs that I’ve not been able to stop thinking about.” Max cut into the steak and realized that instead of feeling uneasy with the conversation, he longed for answers.
He put down his fork and knife. “I honestly want to have that confidence and understanding of God that you and Evie seem to have.”
“It’s really not about me or Evie. Don’t put your eyes on us and expect to somehow come into faith that way.
God might have used us to reflect His image, and I pray that is so, but we are flawed human beings who occasionally lose sight of the truth.
The Bible says that, ‘All have sinned and come short of the glory of God,’ and we’re no exception.
I’d start by reading your Bible and spending more time in prayer. ”
“I’m not really certain I know how to pray.”
Evan smiled. “Just talk to God like you’re talking to me.
Look in the book of John chapter seventeen.
Jesus is praying there before He goes to the cross.
He just talks to His Father as you and I are talking now.
Jesus tells God what He’s done and what is happening.
He talks about the people in His life and asks God to watch over and care for them.
He shares His heart. That’s all you must do when speaking to your heavenly Father. ”
Max met the younger man’s eyes. “Sounds easy enough.”
“Easy, yes.” Evan smiled. “But be prepared. It will change your life.”