PODCAST: Whyte House Family Spoken Novels #370: “All the Bishop’s Children II” – Chapter 10

Welcome to the Whyte House Family Spoken Novels podcast episode #370. Today we are reading chapter 10 of the novel “All the Bishop’s Children Book 2” by Daniel Whyte III with Meriqua Whyte.

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“There’s no need to tie him down in the house because his friend died,” Dwight said to Rosalind one evening when she was fussing at DJ about staying out late and not letting them know where he was.

“Well, if Craig’s death has not taught him to be home at a decent hour and not out in the streets doing foolish things like walking the guard rail over a bridge then I don’t know what else will,” Rosalind said.

Turning to DJ, Dwight said, “You need to let us know where you are at all times. You can’t just get up and go when you want to. Is that understood? ”

“Whatever you say, Dad,” DJ said.

“Come again,” Dwight said.

“Yes, sir,” DJ replied.

“All we can do is guide them to do the right things,” Dwight said. “The Bible does say to train up a child in the right way and when he gets older he will not depart from it.”

“What do you think I am doing?” Rosalind retorted.

“You can do better if you quit that job and be home when the children come in from school,” Dwight said.

That’s right, Dad, DJ thought with a slight grin. I’d do anything to have her home to fix my plate for me.

“You better wipe that silly grin off your face,” Rosalind said. “We’re talking about your life here. You’re only thirteen-years-old –”

“Almost fourteen,” DJ said.

“Don’t interrupt me when I’m talking to you,” Rosalind said.

“Yes, ma’am,” DJ said sobering up at his mother’s sharp tone.

Kennedy quickly smothered the smile that was creeping up on his face.

“You might be turning fourteen and starting to smell yourself, but that does not give you the right to come and go as you please. This is not your house,” Rosalind said. “From now on we need to know where you are, what you are doing and who you are with. Do you hear me?”

Loud and clear, DJ thought. “Yes, ma’am,” he said.

“Dwight, we need to have something going on at the church every evening and get the children more involved in church activities. That way, we know where they are,” Rosalind said to her husband who had retired to his favorite chair in front of the television eating his favorite Lorna Doone shortbread cookies.

Oh, no. Anything but that, DJ groaned to himself.

“Sit down and get ready to eat your food,” Rosalind said to DJ as she walked off to the kitchen. She returned with a plate of fried chicken, mashed potatoes, and green beans. “And another thing: I don’t have time to be keeping your food warm because nobody knows what time you’ll turn up.”

I’d probably turn up if I knew you were going to cook, DJ thought.

Rosalind set the plate down before him.

“Thanks,” DJ said.

“You better say thanks,” Rosalind said.

“Hey, can you quiet down in there? I’m trying to relax and watch some television here,” Dwight called out.

“Is it okay if I eat in my room?” DJ asked.

“Our room,” Kennedy reminded him.

“Go on. And you can go ahead and just get ready for bed after you eat,” Rosalind said. “Rachel and Jessica, go and get ready for bed. You know you’re not going to want to get up in the morning.”

All four children hurried to their rooms. Rosalind sat down on the couch with a sigh.

“What’s the problem now?” Dwight asked without taking his eyes off the television.

“Who says there is a problem?” Rosalind snapped back.

“That long drawn out sigh.”

“Oh, that. Well, I just wanted to let you know that I put in my two weeks notice at the pharmacy,” Rosalind said.

“That’s the best news I’ve heard coming out of your mouth for some months now,” Dwight said, glancing at her. “And that’s good because the children need a mother who will be home with a hot meal waiting for them every day when they come in from school.”

“I am working so they can have a comfortable childhood,” Rosalind said. “One where they don’t lack for anything. I don’t want them to go through what I went through.”

“They’ll lack for a mother,” Dwight said matter-of-factly.

“As I was saying, I put in my two weeks notice at the pharmacy, but I’ll be starting my new job at the post office at the beginning of the new year. I’ll be working the evening shift from three until eleven; sometimes until twelve midnight.” With that said, Rosalind stood to leave the room. “It pays much more than what I’m making at the pharmacy, so it’s for the good of the family.” Rosalind paused as if waiting for a response. “More money means more things for the children,” she continued.

“And more things for yourself,” Dwight muttered. “Why can’t you just be satisfied with what you already have? You’re teaching these children to be materialistic just like you. I see it cropping up in the girls and even in the boys, Kennedy especially. They’re always talking about getting them this and getting them that. And you with this crazy idea of taking them window shopping with you.”

“Don’t you feel good when we wear beautiful dresses and the boys wear decent looking clothes when we go to church or other places with you rather than dressed in rags like we used to wear back in the day? I was always taught that even though you may be poor, you ought to look like a million dollars,” Rosalind said walking out of the room.

“Church is not a fashion show. You go there to worship God,” Dwight said out loud.

“I rest my case,” Rosalind shouted over her shoulder.

****

“I wonder what that’s all about,” Kennedy said to DJ who was reading his history book while trying to watch Bonanza on television.

“I can’t worry about that right now. I’m too busy getting ready for this test,” DJ said.

“You mean cramming for the test,” Kennedy chuckled. “I don’t know why you wait until the last minute to study, stressing yourself out. Plus, how can you study with your favorite television show on and David Bowie playing on the stereo?”

“Me? Stressed out? No way,” DJ said flinching his shoulders. “I’m cool, calm, and collected about everything.”

“You could have fooled me,” Kennedy said laughing. “You try to look like a duck gliding smoothly on the surface but paddling furiously underneath.”

DJ laughed and said, “That’s so stupid.”

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Thank you for joining us for this episode of Whyte House Family stories. You may purchase a copy of this novel and any other Christian fiction books read on this podcast from Amazon.com.

Now, dear listener, please know that God—the divine Author of all things—wants to write a great story with your life as well. But first you must give Him the pen by trusting Him with the life He gave you and surrendering your heart to Jesus Christ as Savior. Here is how:

1. Accept the fact that you are a sinner, and that you have broken God’s law. The Bible says in Ecclesiastes 7:20: “For there is not a just man upon earth that doeth good, and sinneth not.” Romans 3:23 reads: “For all have sinned and come short of the glory of God.”

2. Accept the fact that there is a penalty for sin. The Bible states in Romans 6:23: “For the wages of sin is death…”

3. Accept the fact that you are on the road to hell. Jesus Christ said in Matthew 10:28: “And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.” The Bible says in Revelation 21:8: “But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.”

4. Accept the fact that you cannot do anything to save yourself! The Bible states in Ephesians 2: 8, 9: “For by grace are ye saved through faith: and that not of yourselves: it is a gift of God. Not of works, lest any man should boast.”

5. Accept the fact that God loves you more than you love yourself, and that He wants to save you from hell. Jesus Christ said in John 3:16, “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”

6. With these facts in mind, please repent of your sins, believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and pray and ask Him to come into your heart and save you this very moment. The Bible states in the book of Romans 10:9, 13: “That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised Him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.”

“For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.”

Dear friend, if you are willing to believe on the Lord Jesus Christ for salvation, please pray with me this simple prayer: Heavenly Father, I realize that I am a sinner and that I have done some bad things in my life. For Jesus Christ sake, please forgive me of my sins. I now believe with all of my heart that Jesus Christ died for me, was buried, and rose again. Lord Jesus, please come into my heart and save my soul and change my life today. Amen.

If you believed in your heart that Jesus Christ died on the cross, was buried, and rose again, allow me to say, congratulations on doing the most important thing in life and that is accepting Jesus Christ as your Lord and Saviour! For more information to help you grow in your newfound faith in Christ, go to Gospel Light Society.com and read “What To Do After You Enter Through the Door”. Jesus Christ said in John 10:9, “I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture.”

May God bless you until next time.