GREG FINDS A NEW FAMILY

Greg stretched his sore legs, and his shoulder ached, too, as well as his arms. He rubbed his shoulder, and tried to sit up as Mrs Landon knocked and walked into the room, as Greg awakened late the previous day.

‘Greg,’ she cried,’ what is wrong?’ Mrs landon always woke early to prepare breakfast and school lunches.

Just 12 years old Greg recently became adopted into the Landon family, much to Greg’s delight. Mr and Mrs Landon’s kindness differed from those in other homes who treated him unkindly. Greg shifted from one home to another, but he longed for loving family as his own parents died in an accident. Mr and Mrs Landon really loved Greg. And wished fo rhim to feel as one of the family. He also related well to the two older boys, Luke and Shane.

However, thois morning Mrs Landon found Greg. Lyong on the floor and rubbing his limbs.

She looked surprised to realise Greg slept on the floor instead of the bed. No wonder he ached.

‘ Greg, why did yu sleep on the floor instead of your bed? ‘

‘ That bed belongs to you, Mrs landon,’ said Greg. shyly.

‘Yes, I know,’ said the motherly lady, ‘but you are one of the familynow, and this is your bed. The spring mattress was so comfortable.

But next morni ng when Mrs Landon came in to mop the room, she found that although Greg. Slept on th ebed, he had taken off the blankets.

Tha tnight Mrs Landon spoke alone to Greg.

‘Was your bed comfortable , Greg?’

‘Oh, yes, it is the best bed I ever slept in,’ said Greg. eagerly. And that was true.

Greg. had slept on very hard beds at times.

‘But Greg, you must have been cold. You folded the blankets.’

‘Oh, I thought they were too fine for me to use,’ confessed Greg. , having had old grey blankets with holes in former homes.

Greg. continued to wonder at all the kindness shown in the home. It took time for him to accept all the privileges.

One evening Mrs Landon prepared a luscious dinner, baked chicken, carrots, peas and roast potatoes, and Greg’s favourite dessert: berry meringue with icecream. However, when she called the family to the table Greg. was missing. She looked in his room, without success. She knocked on the bathroom door. No answer.

Mr Landon joined the search. Surely Greg was not outside on this cold night. Greg. must be found, so when he searched behind the bushes he heard someone sobbing, but

the sound came from the shed. Mr Landon opened the door where he found Greg. sitting on an old box.

Mr Landon walked over and gently placed his hand on the lad’s head. ‘Greg., old boy, what is the matter?’ ‘Come on in. Mother has cooked your favourite meal.’

Greg. wiped his tears on the sleeve of his brown jumper. He enjoyed favourite meals, but sometimes all the kindness seemed like a dream.

‘Tell me your trouble, Greg..’ coaxed Mrs Landon, who joined them. ‘You know we love you,’ and Greg. shook his head.

‘It’s all too good to be true,’ said Greg., ‘Nobody ever loved me before I came here, and you are so kind. You give me a good bed, with clean sheets, a grand home to live in, and my favourite meal. I am scared that one day I will wake up and find it is all a dream, and I can’t live here any more.’

Mr Landon stretched his arm about the boy’s shoulders, ‘ that will never happen, Greg. You belong to Mother and me now. You are our’s forever and everything that we have is your’s, too.’

‘Is that really true?’ questioned Greg. as he looked from one to the other.

‘Of course – we promised to care for you, Greg. agreed Mrs Landon. ‘Come inside.

It would be a shame for our meal to go cold.’

The three walked inside, and sat at the table with Luke and Shane.

‘I’m ready, Mum, and I am so glad that I belong to you and Dad as part of your happy family.’

‘And it’s great to have another brother,’ enthused Luke, as Shane gently slapped Greg’s arm in agreement.

Greg. really enjoyed that meal, as he now felt secure in the love and kindness of his new relationship.

After the meal, Mr Landon spoke. ‘This is like the love of God, Greg.. All His promises in the Bible are for us. When we become a child in His family, we really belong to Him.

God loves us. We take His Name – we are Christians ( Christ’s ones ) and He is for real.

Greg. smiled as he agreed,’ I am glad I am your boy, now, and I want to be God’s child like you.’

Mr Landon wrote some verses to remind Greg. of God’s privileges for His family.

Mark 10:13-14 Luke 18:16,17

Romans 8:16-17 1 John 3:1-2

Gwenda would love to hear from you. hgsteward@cobweb.com.au