KASE STUDY 

By Tessa Harvey


    Belle was astounded to find that their dog had had a secret life. His puppy had been born at a neighbouring farm and the children were allowed to keep him. He was adorable and looked so much like his dad. The children called him Fred!
    Belle was going through some of Rosa's old correspondence. She found a sheet of computer paper. The Lord's Prayer was printed on part of it and there were notes next to the verse that said "forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us." The notes read that unforgiveness is a quest for control, binding those who refuse to forgive in the past, the frozen past.
    There were also hospital appointments for Rosa. Apparently there was an inoperable brain tumour. Luke came in just at that point. He gasped, reading Rosa's notes. "She told me it was minor women's problems." He looked pale and sweat had broken out on his forehead. "Rosa wanted you and dad to go so there was enough for me and the children."
    "So that gave you leave to push your old, ill father down those stairs!"
    But Luke was devastated. "I just wanted peace in my family," he cried. "You and dad have friends and relatives overseas. Rosa had nothing and no-one. She was an abandoned orphan."
    Belle turned to God.
"I can't forgive, Lord," she whispered. "Please help me!" Suddenly she felt a Presence near her. Her heart melted with love for God, for Jesus. Belle realised that dying on that cross in unimaginable pain, God in Jesus had forgiven. She could not forgive in her own strength, but with God all things were possible.
    Later that day she talked to her son. "I have forgiven Rosa and you, but Luke, I cannot stay here. This is not my job. This is not my work. You must take over, liase with your wife, get help in the house so you can go to work. The children are all of school age now. Get them to help with housework, laundry, cooking."
    Belle paused, exhausted. "I am going to see my family and rest for a while. I may go back to teaching. We will stay in touch. You and the kids can visit. God will help you too, Luke. He did before you left Him. God Bless." And she went to talk to the children.

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KASE STUDY  By Tessa Harvey     The old man teetered on the steps. Agonised, he could feel himself falling, centre of balance altering irrevocably. He swayed and crashed down on the wooden planks, his head hitting each one. He landed in a crumpled heap, shocked and dazed.     Slowly, memory coalesced. His son had pushed him. No, he thought. Never. He is annoyed with us, but not actual bodily harm - yet his son swung lightly around him, using the rail they had made together to vault over Kase.     Without a word, and without a glance, he headed to their old home over the wooden bridge.     As the elderly man tried to roll and stand, a voice hissed: "Get up, old man. Your grandchildren are coming. Do you want them to see you crawling like a dog?" The brown face of his daughter-in-law swan into focus.     Then Kase heard a car draw up, skidding slightly on the gravel. Despite his pain and discomfort, he grinned. He thought - Belle alwa...
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