What is Impossible with Man Is Possible with God_By Esther S. Casady

What is Impossible with Man

Is Possible with God

By 

Esther S. Casady

“So you’re telling me that God doesn’t exist? That’s crazy.” Ivy sputtered.

13-year-old Jessie Parker flicked her hair out of her face and nodded.  “It’s all mathematical and scientific. Add it all up, and you’ve got a God who doesn’t add up.”

“Doesn’t add up? What is that supposed to mean?”

Jessie grinned. “For it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter the kingdom of God.” she quoted. “It’s impossible for a camel or anyone else to go through the eye of a needle. You say that Christians are all rich in different ways. Thus, neither sinners nor Christians qualify to enter heaven. So, even if you have faith and belief and all that, you are rich, which keeps you out of heaven. So, no one can get to heaven. It’s all a lie that someone made up.” Jessie paused for emphasis. “You’re a little old to believe in fairytales.” she challenged.

Ivy frowned. “You took that verse out of context. Can you say the rest of it?”

Jessie scowled. “That is the whole verse.” she argued.

“I know that.” Ivy agreed. “That verse is from Luke 18, verse 25. To put it in context, you’d need to say verses 24 through 27.”

“Okay, so quote them.” Jessie said.

“Jesus, seeing that he had become sad, said, ‘How difficult it is for those who have wealth to enter the kingdom of God! For it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter the kingdom of God.’ Those who heard it said, ‘Then who can be saved?’ But he said, ‘What is impossible with man is possible with God.’ ”

“And your point is…” Jessie spoke.

“Well, those verses are not saying that rich people can’t go to heaven. Jesus said that it would be hard for a rich man to give up his earthly treasures, and store up treasure in heaven. In Matthew 1:19-21, Jesus warns us against earthly treasure. He said, ‘Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.’ ” Ivy quoted. “Later on in the same chapter, He tells us that we cannot serve both God, and mammon.”

“This is why God used the word difficult, and not altogether impossible. What is impossible with man is possible with God. We, out of our love for things of this world, can not get to heaven. But, God has meme to earth and died on a cross that we might be saved. He alone can rid us of our  love of earth and things of this world, money included. Only through Jesus can we reach heaven…”

“Whatever, if you want too believe that stuff, fine. But don’t try to push it on me.” Jessie interrupted.

Jessie stood and brushed dirt and grass off her jeans. “When you’re ready to talk about something more enjoyable, let me know. I’ll be at the park with the kids from school. Adios, amiga!” Jessie turned and hurried down the street.

Ivy bowed her head. “God, please let there be some seeds of Your truth planted in her heart. And, please let them grow. In Your name I pray, Amen.” 

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A Nights Adventure

I wrote this story a while back, and recently found it in my old story folder. I hope you enjoy it.   :)

A Nights Adventure

By 

Esther S. Casady

     “Bye, Lisa.” twelve-year-old Lindsay said, hugging her friend before climbing into the family van.

     Jenny, Hannah, and Rebecca waved from the windows to the kid standing on the lawn.

     “Is everyone in?” asked Mrs. Lacie.

     “No, the boys aren’t in the van yet.” Jenny replied.

     “Michael, James, Harold, and Mark.” Mrs. Taylor called firmly.

     “We’re coming.” the for boys called in perfect unison.

     “Okay, lets go.  It’s getting late.” said Mrs. Taylor as she deftly backed the big, blue van out of the driveway.

     Lindsay flicked her headlamp on, and proceeded to read a book that she was borrowing from Lisa.  She was so caught up in her book, that she failed to notice the van slowing.  A loudly asked question from her younger brother, Harold, brought her back to reality.

     “Why are we stopping?” Harold asked, his face pulled into a puzzled expression.

     “Yeah, why are we stopping?” James repeated.

     “I don’t know.  The van just won’t accelerate.” Mrs. Taylor replied, frustrated.

     Rebecca pulled her earbuds out to join in the conversation. “Do you think someone sabotaged our van on purpose?” she asked excitedly.

     “No, I most certainly do not, Rebecca Taylor.” Mrs. Taylor replied emphatically.

     Mrs. Taylor shut off the engine, and then tried to restart it.  The engine sputtered and died.  Mrs. Taylor tried again, but this time, the engine just made a weird groaning noise.  Mrs. Taylor checked the gauges and sighed.

     “Well kids, it looks like we’re stuck here.” Mrs. Taylor stated.

     “Stuck!” exclaimed Hannah.

     “Yes Hannah, stuck.” Mrs Taylor affirmed.

     “What are we going to do?” Seven-year-old Michael asked.

     Mrs. Taylor shrugged as she called her husband’s phone.

     “Hello, this is Ryan’s phone.  For some reason, I’m not available to answer your call.  Leave a message or call back later.” a voice on the other end said.

     Hannah stared out the window at the cars passing on the interstate. “I wonder if Momma will call Lisa’s mom, since she can’t reach Daddy.” she thought.

     “Mommy, will you call a tow truck? Can we ride in it?” asked seven-year-old Jenny.

     Mrs. Taylor turned and silently pointed to the phone at her ear.  Jenny silenced quickly, knowing better than to talk when someone was on the phone.

     Lindsay had finished her book, and was almost asleep, when she heard someone call her.

     “Huh, oh, sorry. I didn’t hear you. What were you saying?” Lindsay asked quickly.

     “Momma is talking to you.” Mark said, a trifle impatiently. 

     “AAA won’t tow our van tonight, and my phone died, so I can’t call Mrs. Logan. I need you and Mark to go across that field over there, and borrow their phone to call Mrs. Logan. Ask if she will come and pick us up.” Mrs. Taylor said.

     “Yes, ma’am.” Lindsay said obediently.

     Lindsay and Mark each slipped a jacket on, and stepped out of the van, into a large field.

     “Brr, it’s cold out here.” Mark said. 

     “I know, it’s freezing.” Lindsay replied, before lapsing into silence. 

     The two walked in silence for a few minutes, before finally reaching the house.

     “Oh, finally, here’s the house.” Mark said, stepping up onto the porch as he spoke.  Mark reached for the doorbell, but before he could push it, the door swung open.

     “Hello, do you need something?” a boy asked.

     “We were wondering if we could use your phone?” Mark asked.

     “I can place a call for you, but I can’t let you in.” the boy replied. 

     “Okay, call 251-869-6783, and ask for Mrs. Logan. Please tell her that the Taylors are stuck on I-25, about an hour from her house. Ask if she can come pick is up.” Mark instructed. “Did you get all that?”

     “Okay, yeah sure. Goodbye.” the boy said, slamming the door as he spoke. 

     Mark shifted uncomfortably, not sure if he was supposed to go or stay.  Finally, the door open.

     “I made the call for you. The lady said she’ll come for you. You can go now.” the boy said.

     “Thank you for your help.” Lindsay said gratefully.

     “Well, that was interesting.” Lindsay remarked as she stepped off the porch.

     “You’re telling me.” Mark said with a slight smile.

     A few minutes later, they arrived back at the van. 

     “How did it go?” Mrs. Taylor asked, as she opened the van door for Lindsay and Mark.

     “It went fine.” Lindsay said, proceeding to tell her Momma what had happened.

     An hour later, another van pulled up beside the Taylor van.

     “Finally, Mrs. Logan is here!” Jenny exclaimed.

     “Did she bring Alex?” Michael asked.

     “No, she probably didn’t. He’s most likely in bed, like you will be soon.” Lindsay replied with a smile.

     “So, I heard that you got stuck.” Mrs. Logan said good-naturedly as the children climbed into her van.

     “Yeah, we did. We’ve been here almost four hours.” replied nine-year-old Rebecca.

     Mrs. Taylor climbed in and then Mrs. Logan closed the door.  Mrs. Taylor glanced at the children in the back of the van.  She smiled to herself when she realized that all of the girls, Michael, James, and Harold were already sound asleep. 

     Mark sat upright, trying to keep awake. But soon, no longer able to fight sleep, he fell asleep to dream of his nights adventure.

The End