Winter Season

Bad examples

Esther cocked her head to one side, “and where does it say that?”

“In Genesis, masturbation is a sin.” She puffed out her chest, proud of her answer.

“Indeed.” Esther rubbed her hands together, “I just love it how people take one passage and run with it. First of all that passage in the Bible is about Onan; he was asked to sleep with his brother’s wife and give her and heir. But he didn’t want to. He did sleep with her but emitted his seed on the ground. That has nothing to do with masturbation. In case you’re not aware, masturbation is self-pleasure. This one man’s actions found displeasure with God and he killed him. No masturbation involved.”

“You’re wrong. It is a sin!” Pam slammed her hand down on the table.

Oscar flinched.

“I never said it wasn’t as sin. But the example you gave is a stretch at best. If you want to preach a point that it’s a sin use a better example, like Galatian 5:16 and if you want to use children as a blessing use Psalms 127 3:5. Don’t use poor examples.”

Esther discretely put her hand on Oscar’s thigh. He placed his hand over hers, squeezing it slightly. She could tell that he was getting agitated; his leg under her hand quivered. She figured this was his mother’s goal.

Chet frowned, “Galatians 5:16.”

“It’s not a perfect example but I think”, she put her hand on her chest; “it’s better than Onan. ‘So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. For the flesh desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the flesh. They are in conflict with each other, so that you are not to do whatever you want’.”

“Psalm 127: 3-5,” Oscar whispered.

She answered, “Children are a heritage from the Lord, offspring a reward from him. Like arrows in the hands of a warrior are children born in one’s youth. Blessed is the man whose quiver is full of them. They will not be put to shame when they contend with their opponents in court.”

Pam scoffed, “the nature of your soul, to play house with Babylon here?”

Esther smiled a deep smile, “Matthew 7 verses 1 and 2.”

Chet smiled because he knew what they said and that was an excellent comeback.

Oscar had stopped eating. His hand on top of Esther’s became cold and clammy. She wrapped a finger around his, still trying to maintain their discreet pose.

“I still say you need to give Doris a shot.” Pam stared a hole through Esther.

“As my brother so eloquently put it mother, Doris ain’t much to look at but don’t all tits look the same in the dark.” Oscar said flatly.  

Chet choked on his Coke. Oscar was getting braver. He saw a time that Oscar wouldn’t have said a word toward her.

Pam smacked the back of Otis’ head; there was a hunk of bread sticking out of his mouth. “Fool.” She roared.

Esther smiled again and gave Oscar’s hand a slight squeeze. “Luke 6:45.”

This time Chet couldn’t contain himself and he erupted into laughter.

Pam pushed herself from the table, “we’re leavin’.” She croaked.

“But maw, I not done.” Otis said with a mouth full of food.

“Oh, you’re done.”

She slammed the door behind them.

“Well done,” Chet complimented Esther on her knowledge of the Bible. “Well done. I wouldn’t have missed this for the world. I have been waiting for someone to stand up to that woman.”

“What do those scriptures say?” Oscar was lightly panting, his eyes closed.

“Shall I?” Chet asked.

“Be my guest.”

“Luke 6:45 says: good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth good: and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart brings forth evil. For out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks.”

Esther whispered as she placed her hand on the back of Oscar’s neck.  “Matthew 7: 1 and 2 says, ‘Judge not, that you be judged. For with what judgment you judge, you will be judged: and with the measure you use, it will be measured back to you’.”

Winter Season