Dear Michael,

Greetings on this bitter day, a day of more goodbyes and more heartbreak. John Whittaker has
once again been rocked to the core, shaken in his soul. He had his comfortable life in Odyssey
but the Lord saw fit to reawaken him. In a terrifying display of His command over all things, He
allowed the world to crash into the mans home and his family, prompting him to remember what
he has forgotten. Among many things, the man forgot what it meant to pursue the presence of
God. He forgot the great value which the Lord places upon life. John has now been wounded
once again during his visit to Nebraska. Being further isolated and prevented from pursing his
own plans and desires, he has descended into a place of his own making, a tent of bitterness
which will only collapse.
The man has veered onto a dangerous path. He would chart his own course through life, taking
what he wants from it and giving nothing back. He would take this time of rest he has been
granted and become further entrenched behind his own barriers. He would take Clara, this
precious child, without regard for her or anyone else, and deprive her of an adoptive mother and
father. And selfishness always finds a reason to justify itself. John would rather look at the speck
in his friend Jacks eye than realize that he has been utterly blinded by the beam of wood in his
own. But I fear his anger goes far beyond Jack or the situation with adopting Clara. His anger is
against God Himself. Jack Allen may have taken Clara away from him, but the Lord took away
Jenny, his wife. In his anger John has trapped himself. He has been blinded and cannot see a way
out.
That being said, there is hope. When the mans anger was exposed, I believe even he was
shocked with his actions. His outburst at Jack may have been strong and harsh on the outside, but

it is clear that inside he at last lost his strength. A shaft of light came through the darkness and
showed him his true state. He is a broken man, weakened by his afflictions. John has suddenly
found the need to reconsider his attitude and motivations. He is on the verge of knocking on the
door to ask for forgiveness, but he is holding back. It seems his bitterness will further isolate
him, cutting him off from his close friend Jack, separating him from the life hes been called to
live. But that is not the end of the story. The encounter with Clara has not gone to waste. We
know that all things work together for good for those who love God, who are called according to
His purpose. Healing will come, I am sure of it. Johns love for Clara, although twisted by his
selfishness, is a good thing at its core. And the Lord can use the mans compassion for His
purposes in Odyssey. John was once a father of small children. He used to be a schoolteacher
once. He used to know what it meant to care for others, investing his energies in the next
generation. But in time he forgot. Clara has at last allowed him to remember.
Now that Johns desire for helping and caring for children has been rekindled, it has become very
clear to me why the Lord has taken the man down this difficult road. It is God who has worked in
him and is faithfully continuing to do so. He will never fail nor forsake him. Whatever happens
next, I know the Lord is indeed accomplishing His will.
For His is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever.
Amen.

Malachi