Story— Man in a Hole
It was a cold day to be at the cemetery. Slowly melting snow was still on the ground, as threatening clouds approached. Others who had come for Fred’s interment had already hurried off to attend the wake in the basement of Fred’s church. Sam and Arnold were the only two remaining, standing over the hole wherein Fred’s casket had recently been lowered. Arguably, the two were Fred’s best friends— being close for nearly 50 years.
“It’s sad isn’t it,” said Sam. “I am sure going to miss Fred. Why did he have to die before his time?”
Arnold responded, “I don’t think that is true at all. Fred died at just the right time.”
“What do you mean by that?”
“Well,” said Arnold. “I mean, you know, God is sovereign and so this must be the right time?”
Sam glowered at Arnold. “So you are saying that God killed Fred? Is that what you are saying? God said to Himself, ‘Well today is the day… this is the day when I am going to make Fred skid out of control and hit a tree.’ Is that what you are telling me?”
Arnold wrinkled his forehead. “I mean I guess… or maybe no. I don’t know. But I mean if it happened, it must be God’s will, right? If it wasn’t God’s will, it wouldn’t happened, it stands to reason.”
Sam wasn’t sold on this. “Maybe it happened because the roads were iced over and Fred was driving too fast on a day when he should have just stayed home. S**t happens. You don’t have to blame God for everything.”
“I am not blaming God. Everything happens for a reason. Something good will come from this, I just know it. I just have to trust and look for that good.”
Suddenly Sam pushed Arnold and he fell into the hole hitting the casket with a soft resonant thud.
“What the hell, Sam.” yelled Arnold. “Why did you push me?!”
Sam yelled back. “Why are you blaming me. It happened, so it must be God’s will. Everything happens for a reason. You just have to trust and look for the good in it.”
Sam started walking away. Arnold started to try to scramble out of the hole… but then stopped seemingly lost in thought as the cold rain commenced.
