Rattlesnake Crossing

Wrestling the wriggly child into her own small lap, Je

The whole small drama played itself out in less time than it took the congregation to reach the end of the chorus. Watching it, Joa

Through the years, looking in wonder at her fair-haired, blue-eyed daughter, Joa

Joa

The song ended. The last note lingered in the hushed sanctuary as Sheriff Joa

"The Scripture today comes from the old Testament, the Book of Ecclesiastes, Chapter Three, Verses One to Eight. 'To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under heaven'."

The words were familiar to her. Joa

For the first time she understood, to the very depths of her being, that without surviving terrible sadness, she might well have been blind to the astounding miracle of joy. The one made the other possible.

Finished with the Scripture reading, Joa

Je

Yes, Joa

About the Author

J.A. Jance is the author of the J.P. Beaumont series, the Joa