Breaking Barriers: Jonah Finds His Voice

Chapter 10 - The Covenant

I watched as the realization washed over my dad's face. "The voice, Jonah," he said, his voice barely above a whisper. "It was calling me to you. To help you."

I was stunned. All this time, I thought the voice had something for me, but it was really for my dad. He was the one who was meant to help me in that moment of need.

My dad's eyes were filled with wonder and gratitude. "I can't believe it," he said. "I always knew that God had a plan for me, but I never expected this. To hear the voice of God, calling me to save my own son."

I could see the weight of the experience starting to settle on him. He looked more humbled and grateful than I had ever seen him before.

"This is a turning point for me," he said finally. "I'm going to make sure that I'm always there for you and our family, no matter what. I'll never let you down again."

I was filled with a sense of comfort and security. My dad had always been there for me, but now it felt like he was there in a different way. He was no longer just my dad, but a protector, a guardian, someone who would always be there for me when I needed him the most.

As my dad sat there, piecing together the events that had transpired, I couldn't help but think about the calling I had heard underwater. "Don't be afraid. Help him." While I was glad that my dad had found some peace in understanding why he heard that voice, I felt like there was still something more for me.

I couldn't shake the feeling that this call was meant for me, but in a different way. I needed to find out what it meant, and what I was supposed to do to fulfill it. So I mustered up the courage to ask my dad, "What do you think this means for me?"

I suddenly remembered George, the school bully. Even though I personally despise him, the calling seemed to be telling me to help him. I wondered why I would have to help someone like George, but I couldn't ignore the feeling that it was part of my purpose.

I hesitated to bring this up to my dad, but I finally mustered the courage to ask, "Dad, what if the calling is not just for you, but for me as well? What if I have to help someone like George?"

My dad looked at me with surprise and then a look of understanding. "It's possible, Jonah. The calling could be for both of us. We need to trust that it will guide us and reveal its purpose in due time."

I couldn't shake the feeling that this was all tied to the big fish and my underwater experience. I was determined to find out what it all meant and how I could fulfill my calling, no matter how difficult it may be.

It was finally dinner time, and the room was filled with the delicious aroma of the feast that my mother, Sara, had prepared. She's an amazing cook, and her dishes never disappoint. After a long and tiring day of fishing, I was really looking forward to this meal.

As we all gathered around the table, Grandpa Thomas greeted us with a warm "Shabbat Shalom," which I learned was a traditional Jewish greeting. Uncle James and Dad, who had been staying with us for a while now, responded with a smile and a nod. Grandma Elizabeth also responded, "Shabbat Shalom," but the rest of us looked at each other, unsure of what to say.

Grandpa Thomas, noticing our confusion, explained the customs of the Jewish tradition and how important it was in the Bible. 

"For those of you who don't know, Shabbat is a day of rest and reflection in the Jewish tradition," Grandpa Thomas explained. "It's a time to spend with family, enjoy a good meal, and remember the importance of taking care of ourselves and each other."

"So, what's the catch of the day?" Grandpa Thomas asked, breaking the silence.

"Well, I almost caught a big one," I said with a grin, feeling a bit embarrassed. "But it got away."

"Yeah, it was a close call," Uncle James added, still grinning. "But it was an exciting experience."

Mom took a deep breath and asked, "Jonah, sweetie, are you okay? I was so worried about you," her voice filled with concern.

I smiled at my mother, "I'm fine, Mom. I just got a little too close to that big fish, that's all."

Everyone chuckled at my remark, but Mom quickly warned them, "It's not a joking matter. You could have drowned."

Dad chuckled and said, "Don't worry, Sara. I was there, and I was able to save him."

Uncle James added, "You always were the hero, Jake."

Grandpa Thomas interjected, "So, what happened exactly? Did you finally catch that big fish you've been talking about?"

I chuckled, "Well, I almost had it. But it was too strong, and I got pulled into the water. I don't think I'll be trying to catch that one again anytime soon."

Everyone laughed, and the conversation continued, filled with laughter and good-natured teasing. Despite the lightheartedness, the dinner was still a family-oriented affair, with everyone coming together to share a meal and catch up on each other's lives.

After dinner, Grandpa Thomas asked my dad and Uncle James to put out the campfire and turn off the lights in our tents. He then invited us all to look up at the sky and gaze at the stars.

As I sat with my cousins Rich, Chosen, and Blessing, and my grandfather, Thomas, I couldn't help but feel excited. Grandpa Thomas had promised us a story, and I was eager to hear it.

Grandpa cleared his throat and began, "Now, gather around children. I have a story for you about a man named Abraham."

Hannah, my sister, asked, "Who's Abraham, Grandpa?"

"Abraham was a great man of faith, my dear," Grandpa Thomas said, smiling at Hannah. "He lived many, many years ago."

"Did he have a family?" Blessing asked.

"Yes, he did. He had a wife named Sarah and later on, God gave him a son named Isaac," Grandpa Thomas replied.

Rich chimed in, "But Grandpa, Abraham and Sarah were already old when Isaac was born. How could they have a baby?"

Grandpa Thomas smiled. "God promised Abraham that he would have descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky, and even though Abraham and Sarah were old, God still kept his promise and gave them Isaac."

Chosen asked, "So, did Abraham have a lot of children?"

"Indeed, he did. Abraham became the father of many nations, just as God had promised," Grandpa Thomas said.

I was in awe of Abraham's faith in God. Even when everything seemed impossible, he still believed that God would keep his promise.

Hannah tugged on Grandpa Thomas' sleeve. "But Grandpa, how did God show Abraham that he would keep his promise?"

"Well, my dear," Grandpa Thomas said, patting Hannah's head. "God made a covenant with Abraham, a promise that he would always be with him and his descendants. And God proved it by performing many wonders and miracles."

We sat there in silence, taking in Grandpa Thomas' words. It was a powerful reminder of the strength and faith that can come from a relationship with God.

Grandpa Thomas closed the story by saying, "And that, my children, is the story of Abraham and God's promise to him. May you all remember it and be reminded of the power of faith." He finished the story of Abraham, and everyone sat there in silence, taking in the power of faith and God's promise to Abraham. Suddenly, a small whisper echoed in my ear, "Have faith."

I looked up and saw that my Dad, Uncle James, and Grandpa Thomas had heard the whisper too, and their gaze was fixed on me. Grandpa Thomas smiled at me and said, "Have faith, indeed."

In that moment, I felt a deep sense of responsibility. I knew that God was calling me to have faith and trust in Him, just like Abraham did. I felt a newfound determination to live a life filled with faith and obedience to God's will.

From that day on, I made a vow to never forget the story of Abraham and the power of faith, and to always remember God's promise to me.