Joe sat in the pew collecting his thoughts as the people began to stream in. He intentionally sat several seats in so that he and Oliver

and Shane could sit together. But this morning after the Dorman wedding, he really didn't expect to see either one of them.

He had left the barn around 10pm, but he knew that they would want to stay to see Norman and Rita off. And the couples

wanted a little more time together, but frankly, he had been beat! Taking a glance at the church bulletin, Joe checked out the

sermon topic of the day. The title was A Thankful Heart.

"Boy, how appropriate," he shook his head and grinned to himself. " I am so thankful this morning, Lord. You did a great thing

last night- two great things...who am I kidding? Norman and Rita married in the barn...what a feat we all pulled off! But then,

the thing closest to my heart, was seeing my mother's ring finally on Shane's hand!"

Looking through the church windows and into the soft late morning light, he recalled the look on Oliver's face.That look that said

'at ease and happy.' Man, he hadn't seen that look in a very very long time.

"Dad, can I talk to you?" Oliver's teenage frame was standing in the doorway to the guest bedroom where Joe had an office set up.

"Sure, Ollie. Nothing here I can't set aside for a while. Come on in!"

Joe noted that Oliver was getting tall and lanky. His hair was darkening and no longer had that tinge of red from his mother's side

of the family. And that cowlick was gone! He sure would miss that. Joe took a deep breath and decided to plunge in first.

"What's on your mind, son?"

Oliver came in to the room a bit reluctantly and sat on the edge of a chair, his hands folded in his lap. He stared down at them

for a few seconds.

"Chess championship coming up...gotcha worried?" Joe smiled trying to jumpstart the conversation. He knew Oliver was well

prepared for that event. He hadn't been able to beat him at chess for a good six months now. But, no, that didn't seem to be on the

forefront of Oliver's mind.

"No, Dad, not chess..." He looked up finally and made eye contact with his father. It almost looked like he was ready to cry, but

the tears were not quite there. Joe felt a tightening in his chest. What was Oliver going to say? Or ask?

"Dad, are ...are things between you and Momma going to work out?" The boy's voice was soft and barely audible. He coughed and

cleared this throat. "I mean things have seemed so...so... I don't know how to..."

"Strained?"

Oliver looked at his dad intently and then away out the window and nodded.

Joe leaned forward and took another deep breath. "Oliver,I'm sorry that you've been uncomfortable. But I'm really glad that you

came to me to ask your question. I know it's been...awkward. But son, I do want you to know that I am fully committed to your

mother!"

Oliver's head swung up from where it had fallen. His eyes squinted close as if he were trying to assess what his father had just said.

"Really, son. And I want you to also know that I take my wedding vows very seriously. Do you remember that long conversation we

had last year about vows and what they mean and why?" Oliver nodded in assent. "Ollie, I am hoping that the counselor we are

seeing is going to be able to help us. And I also want to make it really clear that what Momma and I are struggling with has nothing

to do with you. In other words, you are not the cause of nor the root of our issues."

Oliver stood up quickly and turned and stared out the window again. His hands were now clasped behind his back.

"I'm not too sure, Dad, what I understand. But I am glad that you are getting the help you feel like you need." After a lengthy

pause where no one spoke, Oliver turned and said," Do you really think the counselor can make a difference?" He gave a feeble

smile.

Joe saw hope in the boy's eyes for the first time in a while. Frankly he was unsure of how hopeful his wife was or how committed

she even was. But Ollie had, thankfully, not asked that question. And some things were just too difficult to convey. So he nodded.

"Yes, I really do. I had a session the other day that gave me some great insight. And Ollie, a vow before God is worth fighting for."

And then came that soft slow smile of his son's. And he saw his visible relief and the happy look in the eyes begin to return.

He loved that look and had not seen it all of late. Adolescence? Puberty? The situation at home? Whatever, this moment

brought back what Joe longed for...Oliver happy.

"And that's the last time I saw that look-for a very long long time," Joe lamented, thinking about all they went through as a family

and then years of disconnection.

Joe came out of his reverie and realized it was almost time for the service to start. He glanced at the bulletin again and read

the verse that would be highlighted today. "Give thanks to the Lord for He is good and His love endures forever." 1 Chronicles 1.34.

He closed his eyes and began to do just that, even as he felt people sit down in the seat besides him. He gave thanks to God for

mending all the broken years, his restored relationship with his son, his son's own healing of his own heartbreaks, and now a future

being married to Shane. He was thankful for Norman and Rita's marriage, his friendship with Bill, who needed him right now as a new

widower. That miraculous rescue from El Dorado Canyon and his own renewed spiritual life. Yes, God was worthy of his thanks-

even when he had been unaware of His Presence leading him through the past hard times and now in his present joy.

When Joe opened his eyes, he turned and found he had further reason to smile. Tired but happy, Oliver and Shane had slipped

in beside him. Oliver's hand in hers and his arm patting his father's back and there was that look of hope. Joe offered silent

thanks for that divine delivery.