Words of Redemption

I finished The Silent Funeral today.

For better or worse, it’s done.

After another read through and another round of minor, but important changes, it’s time for me to move on.

It’s time for me to release it into the wild and hope that the world is accepting of it.

Is this what the first day of school feels like to a parent?

I read through the story again today, start to finish. I’ve been working on this story for three months, but it had been at least a month since I read through just to read it.

It’s powerful to me. Poignant and moving.

Mostly because it’s so personal. Because I want so much for that story to touch the lives of men, sons and fathers, and be received as an appeal to emerge.

To be the men, the sons and fathers that God intended us to be.

I apologize if that sounds cocky or insincere. I know I am talking about my own story like it’s IT when it may not be.

I might send it out and spend the next year trying to find a home for it, when no home exists.

And that would be fine, because the story touched me.

God has used it to minister to me as I continue to learn how to be a son.

And as he prepares me to become a father.

So we’ll see what happens. There will be water if God wills it.

In the meantime, here’s a excerpt from the first scene of The Silent Funeral.

#

Roland turned his own attention to the ceremony. He stared at the casket that held his father until his eyes lost focus. Would this change anything? Could he finally emerge from the shadow of his Father, or would he simply assume the casting of it? Did he even have a choice? As the congregation began to sing, he raised his bottle in the direction of the coffin.

“Here’s to you, pop. Hopefully, they’ll leave you alone up there, and with a full glass. I know that’s how you like it.”

Roland drank until the bottle was dry, grabbed another out of the glove box, and stood listening as friends and family sang “Amazing Grace” in farewell to Louis Stevens.

Popularity: 20% [?]

If you liked this post, subscribe to my RSS feed, or subscribe via Email.