The Editor

"How will you arrange to be there when he walks into the room?"

"Oh, I'll be there. I need to talk to him and he will hear me and understand! I guarantee it. Drink your tea, children. Oh, Sam I left your story for last. Your pain and suffering have been an important part of this work. I can't give you all the details but can assure you that none of your suffering was without purpose. As of moments ago everyone in this town knows you as the kind and caring person you really are. None of them remember anything even slightly negative about you. They believe, rightly so, that you are a fine lady and are the salt of the Earth. In fact, the young man who you had a crush on in high school will soon be asking you out for a date. You will be married to a loving husband within the year. Nobody will ever remember what they used to think about you. No letters, notes, recordings or such exist to say differently. You are to have a long and fruitful life. And when you all leave this house you will only remember that you had a nice talk and a cup of tea, but by tonight you will not remember who you talked to or where you went. None of you will remember the painful hurts that have gone before."

Jane spoke in a very quiet voice, "Who exactly are you?"

"Well, 'Gabby' is my current nickname. Years ago I told a young virgin girl that she was to have a son. You've heard of me. You know me as Gabriel. I serve the Lord and I'm allowed to do a bit of Editing every now and then. When you leave here, you will forget that I or this house ever existed. Nobody will remember me. However, you will feel a strange warm feeling anytime you read my name in the Holy Scriptures."

The following afternoon Pastor Drake, having been shaken to the core by a call from his doctor friend, went to his son John's old room. When he walked in he saw the pink wallpaper, the dresses in the closet, the dolls and stuffed animals, the sports trophies for the girls sports teams and then he saw a brilliantly white light surrounding a large man in a white robe. He found himself flat on his face, shaking in fear. "Gabby" introduced himself and told him that he needed to repent while there was still time. Gabriel showed him the coldness of legalism and the fact that he had set himself, and others, the task of judging people. Gabriel reminded him that judgment belongs only to the Lord. At that point, the pastor's wife came in the door. Gabriel explained that he had sent for her. He again stressed God is the Judge, and that in the meantime we are to love those around us and forgive them when we believe that they have wronged us. For, as "Gabby" made it clear, if we do not forgive others we will not be forgiven! A few moments after speaking with Gabriel, pastor Drake and his wife went to the hotel. When Jane answered the door, they asked for her forgiveness. Jane told them that she had already forgiven them.

That evening there was rejoicing at the reunion that took place in the Drake household. Things had been corrected and three young women, who were already close friends, became closer. It is wonderful when all things are as they should be!