Eileen Berger - A Family For Andi

How odd, thinking of church as “home,” Andi thought.

“You have a choice,” Gram said. “I’d like to take you with me, of course, but Keith’s in the Builders’ Class—mostly young adults. You’d probably like that best”

“That sounds like a good idea.” But perhaps Keith wouldn’t like that. Turning, she asked, “Is that all right?” Perhaps she was putting him in a bad situation, what with his date last night.

If he had reservations, he didn’t express them. As they entered the hallway, he introduced her first to Patsy Harriman, the pastor’s wife, then to others as they went down broad steps to the area beneath the sanctuary. Nine men and women were seated in a large circle, while others stood around a table holding a large metal urn and tray of cookies.

“Tea or coffee, Annie?” he asked, and she chose the former. She wasn’t thirsty, but holding one of those foam cups would give her hands something to do. However, introduced as Gram’s friend, she found that she need not have worried about being accepted.

Karlyn Tinsman, Keith’s sister, was one of the last to arrive. It turned out that she was the teacher—a tall, outgoing, hazel-eyed woman in her mid-thirties, wearing her dark brown hair in a French twist.

She accepted being teased about her lateness—saying she’d lost track of time while preparing for a picnic—and proved to have a delightful sense of humor and an aptitude for getting input from students.

Even Andi contributed a thing or two—which she’d never have expected. Toward the end of this class on stewardship, Karlyn read something from the Bible about “talents,” which Andi gathered didn’t refer just to one’s abilities or skills, but also to the use of financial resources in a way pleasing to God, as well as to others.

“Congratulations!” Karlyn was beaming as though she really meant it. “You have just won the sweepstakes and are receiving ten million dollars, coming to you in a lump sum. I’d like you to take the next few minutes to make a list of what you’re going to do with your windfall.”

Cheers and laughter greeted this announcement, and the man to Andi’s right—Jeff-something—waved the blank sheet she’d just handed him. “Way to go, Karlyn, giving us paper from an extra-long legal pad!”

When someone complained about Uncle Sam getting his big cut first, Karlyn shrugged. “I’m feeling generous today. We’ll make that ten million after taxes.”

There were good-natured comments and joking, and Andi noted that most participants began doing what was requested. Several, however, seemed to have difficulty thinking of more than a couple of things, and one completely ignored the assignment.

If she really believed that God did this sort of thing, she’d wonder if He meant for her to be here this morning.

Keith, whose paper was being filled with remarkably neat writing, nudged her arm. “Come on, Annie, join in. Today you’re one of us.”

“I’m—not sure what to put down.…”

“You must have had times when you thought, ‘If I had enough money, I’d like to…whatever.’ Well, here’s your opportunity to spend a lot—quite painlessly.”

She tried to suppress the smile she felt coming. If you only knew, Cousin Keith — if you only knew!

Well, she and Dad had decided on large endowments to universities, so she wrote: “Schools and Education.” And “Red Cross” and “Salvation Army,” because Dad had seen, long ago while he was a marine, how well they’d helped those in need.

“Grants for Cancer Research,” because of Mother.

She’d just written, “Family and Friends,” when Karlyn said, “Now put 1, 2, and 3 by those you’d do first.”

Keith was giving frowning attention to “Contributions,” while Jeff was griping, “How does a guy prioritize taking his family on a round-the-world cruise or hiring the best golf pro in the world to improve his swing?”

A short, heavy man across the circle hooted, then assured Jeff that the latter would be a waste. “There’s no way you’ll ever get that swing of yours under control!”

Jeff stage-whispered, “Don’t judge our whole church, Annie, on the nastiness of one man.”

“I won’t.” She laughed. “I promise.”

Keith had crossed out several numbers and was still putting others before entries, when Karlyn announced, “Time’s up! Now, please share your first three with us.”

There was laughter and some groans, but no one volunteered. “Okay, how ‘bout the first one?”

Andi was surprised that it was Jeff who led off with a serious response. “I suspect most of us would do what I’d want to—pay off all debts. In my case, that includes mortgage, car and loans for college expenses.”

Some nodded, and he continued, as thoughtfully as before, “My second would be setting up trusts for the kids’ education—and I’d investigate the possibility of locking in at least one fully paid tuition at Penn State.”

“Very good! Anything else you’d like to share with us, Jeff?” When he shook his head, Karlyn asked, “And now, who’s our next brave soul?”

A young red-haired woman said that since they lived in a too-small rented house, she’d first of all buy a place big enough for all of them, preferably with land. And since she and her husband had been wishing the kids could attend Dalton Christian Academy, she’d use some for that. Three children were presently in public school, and the youngest would begin kindergarten in the fall.

“What about you, Keith?” his sister enquired. “You’ve been busily writing.”

“I still am. I’m not finished yet.”

Jeff reached across Andi to grab Keith’s almostfilled sheet, and held it up for all to see. “I can’t even write that fast, much less think about what I should put down!”

Keith patiently held out his hand for it. “My number-one priority has to be giving a tithe to the Lord— but I had trouble knowing in what form that should be. Some of my other expenditures could come from that million.”

“Like what?”

“Oh, things for the betterment of society or, under certain conditions, of individuals. What about a new pumper for the fire company, or gifts to a specific department of the hospital, or to the Pregnancy Center Project? Or perhaps to Habitat for Humanity? Should they be part of this tenth, or would they be in separate categories—perhaps numbers four, five, and seven?”

Several entered that discussion, and Andi paid avid attention. Keith, having brought up the topic, continued to be involved with it, and helped Karlyn encourage those hesitant about expressing opinions.

Two others stated they’d written “Tithe” as their first item, and Andi gathered that was the same as “one-tenth.” She knew that the many donations and endowments made by her father or in the name of the company would add up to more than that—and each was carefully noted for tax purposes.

She fleetingly wondered what her university or country club friends or co-workers would think of this conversation. What might they say if they were here?

Was it possible any would agree with this consensus? She doubted that, but it wasn’t the sort of thing they discussed. She couldn’t even say how Jon thought of money— his money. He had to have thought about it, didn’t he? Or had he just spent, wanting to be liked, needing…what?

She’d had wonderful times with him, and they’d talked of getting married—but she now faced the fact that during these last years she knew little of what went on inside. She’d tried to bring up deeper issues, but he’d quickly turn her away from them, sticking to fun things.