The Schamel Family

 "Tap, tap, tap. Tap, tap, tap."

Lucy drummed her fingers on the arm of her chair. "What is taking the doctor so long?" she thought.

Lucy, and her Mom and Dad had been waiting in the emergency room for quite some time. It was hard for Lucy to wait. What was wrong with her Dad?

Finally the doctor came in. When she saw the look on the doctor's face, she began to worry.

"We got the results of the blood test," the doctor said. "Mrs. Shodd, could I see you outside for just a minute."

Lucy's mom hesitated, then placed her delicate hand on Mr. Shodd's shoulder. "We would like to hear the news together."

"It's not good." the doctor warned. Then he sighed, "I don't know how or where you would've picked up this disease, it's really not very common anymore. The blood test shows that Polio has infected your nervous system. They call that paralytic polio." The doctor stopped and glanced at Mrs. Shodd. "There is no cure for polio. And...," The doctor sighed and glanced toward the door.

"What is it, doctor? How bad is it?" Mr. Shodd asked.

"You are paralyzed for life."

Lucy gasped and covered her mouth as she tried to hold back the tears and swollow the lump swelling in her throat.

"And," the doctor continued hesitantly, "There is a chance that the virus could do worse damage to your brain and even cause, death. There's nothing we can do, except send you home to take it easy."

At these words, all else seemed to disappear. Lucy stared at her father, her daddy! "Paralyzed?" Lucy thought. "For life? He could die? How could this have ever happened? We're good people! How could God let this happen?!" Lucy choked on her tears and collapsed into a chair.

She glanced up at her mother who was weeping and clinging tightly to her husband, who also had tears in his eyes.

"The good news is he can go home." the doctor said awkwardly.

Mrs. Shodd nodded and the doctor left the room.

A few minutes later, nurses came into the room to prepare Mr. Shodd for the ride home.

After they got home and everyone was settled, Mrs. Shodd went to the pharmacy, leaving Lucy alone with her dad.

Lucy sat down in the chair next to her dad's bed, and looked down at him. "How can he look so peaceful when he sleeps?" She asked herself. Then the tears came. "How could God be so cruel?! How could a loving God do something so, so, hateful?!"

Lucy buried her head in her hands and cried bitterly, until a stir came from her father's bed.

With a voice hoarse from sleep, He said tenderly, with just a hint of reproach, "Lucy, You know that God didn't do this. I raised you better than that."

"Then how could God let this happen?!" Lucy asked through her tears.

"God didn't bring death into the world, sin did. And man brought sin into the world. When God created man he gave him the freedom of choice. Man chose sin, and sin brings death. That's not God's fault."

"But how could he let this happen to us?! We're good people!"

"Honey, the rain falls on the just and the unjust. Besides, what makes you think we're good people?"

"We go to church! We pay our tithes! We care for the poor! And we never stole anything, or killed anyone! We're good people!"

"Lucy, don't you remember the story of the rich young ruler? He came to Jesus and asked what good thing he had to do to get eternal life. But the Bible tells us that we are not saved by works that we do but by what Jesus did. So going to church and doing all those things doesn't make us good people. The Bible says, 'for ALL have sinned.' And that means that no one is a good person."

Lucy looked down at her hands, and her dad lifted her chin and looked into her eyes. "Lucy, if there is one thing I want you to have before I go, it's a strong walk with the Lord. We don't even know if I'll even die yet. But whatever God decides is fine with me."

Lucy nodded, and swallowed her tears.

"Your piano recital is in three days!" Mr. Shodd said beaming. "I know you'll make me proud."

Lucy gave him an odd look. "But I'm not going."

The smile on Mr. Shodd's face vanished instantly. "Why ever not?!"

"Because, Daddy, I couldn't play without you there! I want to spend all of my time with you!" Lucy said, her eyes watering once again.

"What makes you think I won't be there?"

"Daddy, the doctor said you should take it easy. Going would be too stressful."

"Well, I took the ride home O.K. didn't I? Besides, I don't care what the doctor thinks. I know that seeing you win the competition will be VERY good for me. You're going, and I'll be in the front row cheering you on." Mr. Shodd said decisively. "And that's that. Now, go practice. I want to hear you play."

Lucy tried to smile then walked over to the grand piano her dad had bought her only a few months ago for her sixteenth birthday.

She sat down and started to play her dad's favorite song, "It is Well with My Soul," the song she would play for the competition. As her skilled fingers danced across the keys, beautiful music filled the house and soon her dad was once again asleep.

On the night before the competition, the doctor came to check on Mr. Shodd. After completing his exam, he called Mrs. Shodd into the parlor.

"He doesn't look good." The doctor told her sadly.

"I know, but I'm sure he'll pull through. He won't leave Lucy and me alone," Mrs. Shodd assured him.

The next evening, Lucy came down from her bedroom to see her Dad in his wheelchair holding a dozen pink roses. "You look beautiful, Lucy."

Lucy blushed and accepted the roses. Then Lucy helped her mother get Mr. Shodd safely into their mini-van.

Lucy was nervous as a cat as her turn to play drew closer. There was so many people! But when she walked out onto the stage and saw her dad in the front row, all nervousness left her. She was no longer playing for a large crowd of people, she was playing for her daddy. Without even thinking about it, Lucy's fingers began their song. And as tears filled her eyes she played with a zeal she never had before.

"Whatever my lot Thou hast taught me to say, it is well, it is well with my soul."

When she finished, the crowd was silent, then erupted into thunderous applause, and rose from their seats.

But Lucy didn't notice everyone else, she only noticed the man in the front row who had stood against his wheelchair. Her daddy.

Later that night as she and her dad framed her first place certificate, Lucy thought about what her dad had told her earlier. "Lord, I accept your will. If you must take him, I'll still love you."

That was the last memory Lucy ever had with her dad. And as she placed the roses on his casket, she remembered Psalm 68:5 that says, "God is the father of the fatherless."

The End


(c) 2007 Amber D. Schamel

Schamel Good News
Messenger
Committed to sharing the

good news of Christ's love

and joy in our family.

Jan. issue

God's Hand on my Family

By John Schamel

On Sunday January 21st, my family was driving home from church when our back tire went off the road. We started to slide, but God's hand was on us. There were cars in front of us, behind us, and coming toward us on the 2 lane road. The car coming toward us slowed down enough that we were able to get across the road and to the side without them hitting us. We then were able to let the cars pass and get back on the road and home safely. Thank you Lord!

Gratefulness Expressions

By Melody Schamel

We would like to thank these people for their generosity toward us:

*Thanks to everyone who gave us Christmas gifts and cards! The gifts were all cool and it was great to hear from everyone!

*Thank you to Grandma Schamel for helping with the dishes and tidying up.

*Thanks to Great Grandma Hammon who gave the big girls several pairs of shoes, us younger kids a piano, dad cherry chocolate kisses, cookies for us all, and mom a can opener. She gave them to us for the bestest reason of all. No good reason!!

*Dad took us to Chinese dinner last Friday night. Thanks dad!

Up and Going Job

By David Schamel

Good job Job! Josiah Job is now 8 months old. He is learning many new "tricks". He recently has learned to crawl. He likes to crawl to mom and to toys and to little pieces of stuff on the floor.

Job's favorite word is "da da". He also says "mama" and "buba" , and "hi".  We are working on teaching him sign language for the words "please" and "more".

Josiah eats crackers and applesauce and soft foods. He especially likes Honey O's (organic of course!)

Job's favorite hobby is eating. He also enjoys bath time, especially with "da da".

Science

By Ben Schamel

For science class, we are listening to Jonathon Park from Vision Forum while driving in the car. This audio series takes the listener on adventures, dangers and excitement. Although the people and circumstances are fictitious, the places, scientific and historical information are true. Jonathon Park's father is a paleontologist who is fired from his job because of his creationist views. The adventures include discovering dinosaur fossils and how they were likely preserved through Noah's flood.

We have learned that there are many fossil deposits here in Colorado and I look forward to taking field trips to some of these places (when there is not 5 feet of snow on the ground)! The stories make learning fun and the whole family is really enjoying them.

Also, when we are at home, we are watching Moody science videos. On Voices of the Deep, it shows how the fish can communicate and make noises. The dolphins use sonar to tell shapes and sizes of objects. They can even tell the difference between copper and steel!

I am excited about science this year as we have such neat materials to learn from. Thanks Dad and Mom!

A Quiver Full of Arrows

By Amber Schamel

Robin Hood took off his hat and wiped the sweat from his brow. He should've picked a lighter disguise! He had come to this archery competition undercover. The sheriff, his worst enemy, had forced him to do so. Even now he could hear him conversing with his friends. 

" We scarcely would've seen better competition if Robin Hood was here!" said one of his companions.

"Hmm, I thought he would be here, but even with his bravery he didn't dare." The sheriff boasted.

Robin could hardly contain his laughter. " You'll soon see, Sheriff, that Robin Hood is here." He laughed to himself.

The match had come down to William of York and himself. "Give up! Red Jacket!" William's friends shouted! " You can't beat our William!"

Robin glanced down at his red jacket. " It is rather ugly." He thought, " I'll have to buy a new one. No matter, their teasing will soon come to an end."

Fresh targets were set up, much farther away than they had been before. William of York shot first. His first arrow hit dead center of the bulls-eye. William smirked then drew another arrow from his quiver. His shot was not far from heart of the target. He turned to "Red Jacket" expectantly. Robin was not impressed.

Robin Hood stepped up to the marker. He eyed his target. Then he shot so quickly that the second arrow was in the air before the first hit the target. Both arrows hit dead center of the bulls-eye one on top of the other.

For a moment the throng was silent. Then the crowd roared! He had won the prize! Yet no one knew, that this hero was Robin Hood!

Ps. 127:4

As arrows are in the hand of a mighty man, so are children of the youth. Let's take a close look at this scripture. There are several aspects to this verse.

1) Children are a blessing. In today's culture, Children are looked on as a curse, or a burden. But, this is not how God meant it to be! When God wanted to bless Abraham, his faithful servant, He promised him: Children! This verse shows us that children are one of the greatest miracles He can give! Where would Robin Hood have been if his quiver were empty?

2) God wants us to study. Arrows can be very deadly, But only if we know how and when to use them. "Mighty Men" must know how to hit their mark. This will take instruction and practice. God wants us to learn the best way to raise our "Arrows".

3) We have a responsibility. God wants us to know that along with the blessing comes a great responsibility. We will be held accountable not only for our own actions, but for the actions of our children. Eli was cursed for failing to properly raise his sons, even though he was in the service of the Lord. Our mistakes will affect our children possibly even more than it does us.

And finally God wants us to use our arrows. As in the parable of the talents, God does not want us to keep our children locked up in the house for safekeeping. Although we do need to protect our children, we should be using them to touch the lives of others. I had the opportunity to stay the night with my Great Grandmother after she had an operation on her eye. THUNK! My Father's arrow hit its mark. That's the way it is supposed to work. God designed it this way so that, the mighty man and the arrows working together, can win the prize for Christ. Who could ask for a higher calling?