Free Miss Katie's Rosewood by Michael Phillips

place as His son. That’s why He created you and gave you life in the first place. That is all He has ever wanted. That’s why His son Jesus came—to help sinners like you and me live like God’s children. Jesus went into hell after He died and brought souls that His Father still loved back out with Him. That love of the Father for His children is what life means, though not many discover that meaning. I am only just beginning to understand it myself. But I do know you can receive His forgiveness and begin anew.”
    â€œBut there’s no time,” said Teague. “I am going to hang tomorrow.”
    â€œThen there is a whole day for God to work,” said Robert.
    â€œThat’s not much, after a whole ruined life.”
    â€œFor God that is an eternity to turn a soul around and set it on the road to life and freedom and peace.”
    Teague stared down at the floor, his head between his hands. It was not an idea he could grasp. Freedom and peace —what could they have to do with him!
    â€œWould you like to live in God’s family?” asked Robert at length.
    â€œIt’s a little late for me to be thinking of that,” replied Teague.
    â€œBut would you?”
    â€œI suppose . . . yes, I would.”
    â€œThen begin. It’s not a matter of how much time God has,” Robert went on, “but what direction we are going. If we are going toward Him, then a moment is an eternity. God is not bound by time like we are. If it were your last breath of life, you can still cry out to Him. In an instant you can give yourself to Him. All I’m saying is, why not turn your life around now? Even if you have but one more day on this earth, God has already forgiven you. It’s done. You need only accept that forgiveness, and then say to Him, Your will be done in my life .”
    It grew silent. Teague was thinking hard. Thoughts of Abraham Lincoln and slavery and the Confederacy were far away. For the first time in his life, he was thinking about his obligations as a man to his Creator. It was obvious that he had failed in that obligation. But . . . was it too late? Or might there still be time? The thought was too stupendous to take in.
    Might there actually . . . could it be . . . was there really room in God’s heart . . . for him!

T HE B EGINNING
    11

    A S IF READING HIS MIND, R OBERT NOW SPOKE .
    â€œDo you know about the two men who were executed with Jesus?” he asked.
    â€œOnly what everyone knows, I suppose.”
    As Robert began to recount the ancient tale, alive with poignant power in the cell of a man likewise condemned to death as the three so long ago, Teague listened with a heavy heart. His expression was one of impending finality, yet he was strangely warmed by Robert’s portrayal of the Savior’s love.
    â€œYou see,” said Robert at length, “He utters not a word of questioning, no doctrinal analysis, no preaching to the man, not a word of condemnation, not a word about his past sins. He only says, Come home with me .”
    By this time Teague was wiping at his eyes.
    The cell grew silent and remained so for a minute or two.
    â€œI . . . want to tell you,” said Teague at length, “that I’m sorry . . . you and your whole family.”
    The rusty hinges of the door called repentance had finally begun to break free.
    â€œThank you,” said Robert softly. “I know that will meana great deal to my father and mother, and sister, as it does to me.”
    â€œI know I don’t deserve it, but . . . but I hope that you will someday be able to find it in your heart to forgive me.”
    â€œI told you the last time I was here that I forgave you some time ago, Mr. Teague. Realizing that God loved and forgave me in spite of my sin helped me see how much He loved you in spite of your sin. I hope you get a chance to meet my sister one day. I know she will forgive you, just as I do. I think you will like