Marcus Redding Goes Home

He had his cell phone on silent—the nature of the place required it—but he could feel it buzzing on his belt. A text message from Lauren read “Phil 3:13-14.” He knew the scripture. He wouldn’t leave Bruce’s memory behind but he had resolved to move on. This would be his last visit to his best friend’s grave.

He put his cell phone back, closed his eyes, and took a deep breath. He opened his eyes and looked down at his tattooed arms, at the green grass, at the granite stone. He knelt down and brushed away some dry leaves and plucked the grass that was growing over the edges. Then he placed his right hand flat on the stone and, like he had planned, recited 1 Thessalonians 4:13-14. He spoke to the stone. He spoke to the memory of his friend. He spoke to himself. After he finished, he took one more deep breath, stood up, and walked away. He sent a text message to Lauren, “I’m coming home.”

He got home at about nine in the morning and Lauren met him at the door, Micah in her arms. She gave him a kiss on the cheek and handed Micah to him. He hugged his little son, now six months old, and then hugged Lauren. She held him for a while then said, “Let’s eat and go.”

They were heading into Athens to hike the trail at the arboretum. They planned on coming back mid-afternoon and doing some things around the house. Marcus was making Lauren a rocking chair and Lauren had to cook for the potluck at church tomorrow. And they had to be ready for the Bible study they were hosting at six o’clock that night.

When they got to the arboretum Marcus hoisted the baby-carrying backpack onto his back. Lauren got Micah all settled in the pack, grabbed her camera, laced up her boots, and they were off. They meandered through the flower beds and down across the bridge into the woods. It was warm but not hot as they walked in the shade. Lauren reached over and took off Micah’s little hat. He was looking all around, happy as he could be, riding around on his daddy’s back. Marcus was quieter than usual, understandable since this was the anniversary of the accident, but Lauren didn’t want him to close in on himself. So she asked him the question she always asked to get the conversation going, “What’s been on your mind lately?” Marcus kept looking straight ahead, “You mean besides the obvious?” Lauren said, “Besides the obvious.”

Marcus said, “Justin and Mr. Johnson. I’m just excited for the opportunity. I mean, they are, what fifty years apart, and they both need Jesus, and they are both willing to listen. That’s pretty good.” Marcus seemed to come alive as he talked about it, “I’ve been thinking of different approaches. I think Mr. Johnson has more of a background than Justin, and I think I can be blunt with Mr. Johnson, but Justin is more sensitive. I’ve got those two evangelism studies that I got from John with those illustrations. I’m thinking I’ll just take them through those. What do you think?”

As they walked through the woods they talked about teaching people the gospel and the conversation turned to church and then the early days when they first met. They talked about living in their first apartment and moving to the ranch. Then they talked about ranch dressing and the casserole Lauren was making for the potluck. They talked about how to get Micah eating solid food. (Micah was asleep by now.) They talked about how fast Micah was growing up. They talked about taking pictures of him along the way. They talked about his upcoming doctor appointment and homeschool and saving money and finances and the economy.

Marcus began to feel the weight of the backpack and he checked the clock on his cell phone. “Lauren, it’s one o’clock already.” She looked up at him, “Time flies.” Marcus smiled at her and said, “Let’s make the most of it.”

They turned back, walked out of the woods, got in his truck, and headed home.

More about Marcus Redding's journey of faith...someday.