THE RESTLESS SHADOW 

By Tessa Harvey

    Jackson, as soon as the man had said, "Do you know who I am?" had thought 'not one of those,' and drawn his taser, an action he tried to avoid in most situations. He used the taser and the aggressive man and the man tried to say "I am Clarence Morten, of course," fell to the lumpy gravel drive.
    A woman was calling anxiously in fear and childish voices were also calling in the restless darkness of the unsettled night.
    Keneally called for assistance, handcuffing the man on the drive. Still furious, he was mumbling and muttering incoherently.
    Morten was taken away to face charges. James was treated for a sharp cut on his forehead, but was otherwise unharmed.
    A woman police officer made sure the family were calmer and the children settled.
    All questions could be settled officially later that day. Another officer waited for a while until the family were asleep, then quietly drove away.
    Several weeks later everything had settled down with Wendy, James and their children, Chris and Izak.
    For a short while the boys had had nightmares, but seeing a counsellor had really helped. Chris was talking much better sensing his parents were happier.
    One day the counsellor visited the parents while the boys were at school. At first he was hesitant, then took courage and spoke.
    "The boys were relieved that the man, Clarence was in prison," he began, shifting slightly in his lounge chair. "The police were already investigating him as you know." James and Wendy nodded.
    Officer Keneally had explained the man was a clerk at the lawyer's office in town, not an actual lawyer.
    "Well," continued the young lawyer, "in my opinion, I believe God helped you a lot at this time. Life is not without pain and trauma for everyone, but living a life given to God really helps to. Not as a crutch of course. You have to be strong to be a real Christian. But without Jesus Christ, life is meaningless." The counsellor, John Clements told them about his growing vibrant church where they would be accepted, loved and find real friendship.
    A few months later the family went to visit the church and were really moved by the reality and warmth and strong faith and friendship they found....and came back again and again. They found out what Jesus had done for them.
    They even prayed for Clarence Morten and forgave him after a while. They accepted Jesus as Lord. He had died for them and risen from death, gloriously triumphant. The family faced many trials but grew strong and secure in Jesus' love.

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