by Roy Exum
posted November 24, 2008
 Roy Exum |
Had I been the nation’s President back years ago I would have paid my own money to arrange a hit team to seek her out with the orders to make her death look like she’d been chewed for a long while by a great white shark. And if it wasn’t until Wyoming or Topeka when they found her, let the local authorities worry about whatever became of the poor, poor fish.
Well, several weeks ago an old friend slipped me an advance copy of Ted Turner’s delightful new book and, while it is absolutely must reading, “Terrible Ted” alludes to the fact he broke up with Jane because she became a Christian without talking to him about it.
Well, I believe that about as much as I do that great white sharks swim around in Topeka. I had figured Ted finally started taking his mental medicine again, and, when the drugs really kicked in, looked in his mirror one special morning and said to himself with disbelief, “I did WHAT?”
But if indeed “Hanoi Jane” has asked God for the keys to His kingdom, that throws me and about 50 million other Believers into a real lurch – if Christ can forgive my sins, can’t He do the same with Jane? And if my Savior can forgive my “very baddest stuff,” who do I think I am in doubting Jane should have the same eternal gift?
What’s worse is this: for the past 40 years I’ve been waiting to hear about some pictures of a very naked Jane goofing around with Ho Chi Mien himself, but instead comes the startling news Jane Fonda has embraced Jesus Christ, this at the exact same time I’m going to those I have loved the very most, seeking forgiveness for six decades of hurting them.
If I am asking ex-wives and former girlfriends to forgive me, what am I going to do when I get to heaven and find I am living right next door to the former Mrs. Ted Turner? I can’t exactly run to the throne room, prostrate myself at the Master’s feet and cry out, “Lord, you did WHAT?”
Now, let me be real serious – do you have any idea what an indescribable treat it is to seek forgiveness and watch the eyes of the person as you do it? Please, these people aren’t just anybodies; these have been hand-chosen by me, myself, in my life’s walk and, in almost every instance, gave me their hearts while I selfishly and zealously guarded my own.
This year I have been real sick and the Lord, as only He can do, has used my tragedy in a most miraculous way. When I was in a really gloomy spot – which I am convinced was one of those “near-death” deals – God opened my eyes to the greatest opportunity I have ever known. Since then I’ve been slipping around telling people how thankful I am they’ve co-starred in my life and how very much it is that I love them.
For instance I went to see one girl I should have married, but God had bigger plans for her and she wound up with a guy far greater than me. They’ve had more fun together for maybe 15 years since we once dated, but I’ve never forgotten she once offered me her heart. So I go visiting the other day and cried like a small child as I tried to say thanks. She did, too. Wow!
Then there was that big visit with mother. She’s prayed for my salvation every morning and ever night of my life. How do you imagine she felt to know I finally “got it,” that all those memory verses and perfect-attendance Sunday School pins had kicked in? Oh my goodness!
So this Thursday comes the big day itself, the one so unique to America where we gather with families and “Indians” and people we don’t even know, to look skyward and tell our Heavenly Father we appreciate all the riches He’s once again delivered.
For me this will be far different than any Thanksgiving I’ve ever known. An old country song may say it best with the words, “I’ve reaped a whole lot more than I’ve sowed … I’ve got to drink from the saucer ‘cause my cup’s overflowed.”
royexum@aol.com
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