A Parable

Jack Frontenac sits poised at the piano tucked away beside the stage of the Perry High School auditorium. 

He recalls the first day he saw Jill Norris. He unpacks his French Horn in the band room on the first day, second period at Wes Terence Junior High. As Jack slides the mouthpiece into his instrument, he looks up and freezes in awe like every other adolescent heterosexual male in the room does. 

Jill Norris enters the room with the walk and look of a more mature woman. Her large blue eyes and luxurious blonde shoulder length hair add to her awesomeness. Jack’s eyes, the only part of his body moving follow Jill’s every action.

That was four years ago. Jack knew then that his boyish frame and nerdiness would had no appeal to the perfection that was Jill Norris. Yet, even back then, Jill would flash a smile, send a look, speak a word that proved hopeful that she might or even could have feelings for him.

Finally, today, he is going to humble himself and offer the best he has to her in hopes of getting to know her better. Who knows. Maybe it might even be the start of a loving relationship with her.

It looks like she is about to leave. It’s now or never. He risks total embarrassment and humiliation. This gesture might make him known by the whole student body as the laughingstock of Perry High School. In Jack’s heart, he believes Jill is worth it.

Jack bangs out a few notes on the keyboard before he begins to offer himself and what little talent he possesses in a song he composed and wrote especially with Jill in mind.

I have only these three words to say
I have pondered them night and day
I need you to know these words are true
Dear Jill Norris, I love you.

Sandy Marcus covers her gaping mouth. Stan West is doubled over in laughter. Terry Bates and Annie Fletcher stare speechless at Jack, then each other, then at Jill. Jill, who has started down the middle aisle to the exit, stops, stiffens to attention clutching school books to her bosom. She slowly turns to face the front of the auditorium.

If I search the whole world far and wide
Wouldn’t matter how hard I tried
I’d never find someone like you
Dear Jill Norris I love you.

Jill, still clutching her school books tightly, glances over at the classmates and friends who are whispering – some loudly- their impressions of this bizarre event. Her glance causes them to silence and wonder how she will react – rejection or acceptance. Jack finishes, sits holding his breath and awaits her response before he decides which he will do – hide in humiliation or approach Jill in reverence and awe.

Jill flashes a grin to the crowd of bystanders. Then, she turns her attention to Jack who still sits bashfully bewildered at the piano. Jill smiles that familiar smile that once gave Jack hope. Jill slowly at first moves down the center aisle toward the stage of the auditorium. She never glances around but continues to smile at Jack, hugging her books.

When she turns toward the piano side of the stage, she stops and tosses her books onto the stage. The books scatter in different directions. One large book and a paperback notebook flop open. Pens and pencils rattle across the stage causing one to roll off the stage entirely.

Jack carefully shuffles toward Jill encouraged by the fact she shares that sweet inviting smile. They soon reach each other. Jack stares into those big blue eyes and inhales a large portion of air. Jill reaches up with both hands placing one hand on each side of his face. To everyone’s surprise, especially Jack’s, Jill tiptoes and presses her supple soft lips against Jack’s slightly parted in shocked mouth.

The Lesson

Jill Norris represents the perfect woman to Jack Frontenac. You might say Jack worships her. He is willing to look foolish to the student body to sing of his love for Jill Norris. What others might think is not as important as what Jill thinks.

The Word of God contains expressions of awe for God from psalmists, prophets, kings, and apostles. Jesus drew crowds amazed at his teachings, the miracles, and his spirit.

Proverbs 1:7 says, “The fear (awe) of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge….” Knowledge of what? Knowledge of the truth. Knowledge of the way you should go, the way you were made. Knowledge of life, fulfillment in life.

The rest of Proverbs 1:7 declares that it is foolishness to “despise wisdom and instruction.” Like Jack, what matters most is not what others think, but knowledge and understanding of the wonder of God begins that perfect love relationship with the One who knows you best.

The surprise is that God wants that relationship with you and has been trying to let you know all of your life.

The awe of the Lord is the beginning of a beautiful relationship. All that’s required is for us to love God back.

Categories: Devotional Love Parable Relationship

Douglas Knight

I have the rich life full of a sinner wounded by misunderstanding and punishment but blessed by mercy and forgiveness.