illiam looked into the eyes of the stranger in the mirror. He studied the face, the rough beard, uncombed hair, bloodshot eyes, circles depicting lack of sleep. "No wonder people turn to drugs and alcohol," he thought.

The loneliness of being without Sharon was more than he could bear, and although he'd still not tried drugs, he was no stranger to alcohol. He just hadn't gotten to the point of it ruining his life yet. He thought about going up in his plane, but didn't know if it had been released as of yet. As far as he knew, it was still in impound.

He had drank quite a lot recently, but, as of yet, he was no alcoholic. If he proceeded much longer in this manner, he'd certainly become one. He didn't know what was happening to his home, didn't know what was happening with his bank account. He had no idea as to what was happening with Sharon. He hadn't even spoken with his parents since that night in the hospital.

All he knew, was that he was terribly lonely, that he was desperate for a change, and that he only wanted to get his life back on track. He longed for Sharon, for her touch, to hear her, to see her, to love her. He had no desire for any other woman, only Sharon.

One morning he was up early, and had walking the streets, not really seeing where he was going. He did happen to notice the streets were dirty, the houses were ramshackle, and that he was in a less favorable part of town. After two mishaps on the street, nearly being robbed once, he quit carrying anything but a couple of bucks on his person.

When he finally looked up and saw where he was, he was really quite lost. He'd made many turns, and hadn't even cared enough to keep track of where he was. Coming down the street were a group of teenage boys, rough looking, and acting as if they were looking for trouble. He took stock of where he was, and was nothing open but a little store front church with a sign that said Welcome.

He wasn't even aware that it was Sunday morning, and to prevent an ugly scene with the gang of thugs headed straight for him, he opened the door and walked in. There was only a handful of people in the audience, and he walked up close to the front and sat down. A young lady at the piano was playing and singing a lovely song, and the young man behind the podium was singing along.

He heard the door open, and in walked two of the thugs from whom he'd just escaped. One sat down at the end of the row upon which he sat, and the other sat on the same row opposite the little aisle. He didn't even turn to look at them, but did, when the offering plate was passed. He turned his pockets inside out, and found the couple of bucks he'd stashed.

He made a good show of showing them he had nothing of value. Before the offering plate even got back up to the front, the two thugs were gone. Since he was already in and seated, he decided he'd just stay the service. One in the congregation stood upon invite, and gave a short testimony about the goodness of God, and how wonderful it was knowing him.

Another stood and praised God for putting his family back together, and a third stood and said something which really caught his attention. He said "I thank God that He saved me and took away the Death Sentence off my soul."

William turned and looked at the man very carefully and studied him. He was not an old man, probably fifty years of age or so, but he was very sincere in what he was saying. William decided he'd like to talk to the man after the service had concluded. The lady at the piano was singing a song he'd heard before, and of which William actually knew some of the words; Amazing Grace.

William had never thought about the words, but, it touched him somehow in this little church. And he was surprised at something that was stirring in his soul. He felt elation, he felt lifted, he felt hope and he felt joy, something he hadn't felt in so long. He felt like maybe this is what he'd been searching for. He wanted to stay here, and didn't want the song to end. Finally, the man opened his Bible, and the congregation stood.

William stood because everybody else stood. He had no Bible, but someone handed him a Bible opened to the scripture where the man at the podium was reading. The words were real plain, and easy to understand:

28 Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.
29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.
30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.

Matt 11:28-30 (KJV)

William was wondering if the weight of the heavy burden of the Death Sentence was included in that promise of rest. And, he wondered if the burden he would receive in its place would be any lighter. Then, the preacher read another passage of scripture, one he'd heard before, but, never put much thought into.

14 And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up:
15 That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life.
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.
17 For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.
18 He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.

John 3:14-18 (KJV)

That was something that needed some time with which to soak into William's brain. He studied on it while the preacher talked a little bit, then, he read:

4 Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted.
5 But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.
6 All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD hath laid on him the iniquity of us all.
7 He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth: he is brought as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is dumb, so he openeth not his mouth.

Isaiah 53:4-7 (KJV)

William was dumbstruck. He had never heard anything like this before. He wondered who it was that would have suffered in this manner. He was still thinking about the scripture, when the preacher asked all to stand and come to the front.

William didn't know what he would go to the front for, but he went just the same. The preacher stepped down off the platform and shook Williams hand for "coming forward and how do you feel since you've been saved?"

"Fine I guess," he responded. He had no idea what the preacher was talking about being saved. He just felt something in his heart more akin to condemnation rather than justification!

He handed the Bible back to the gentleman who loaned it, and was then presented with a brand new Bible. This is for special visitors, and you've certainly made our service special by visiting. He then made his way to the man who'd spoke of having the Death Sentence lifted of him, and wanted to talk to him, to ask him some questions, but the man quickly excused himself, and walked out the door.

William was dumfounded. Something that really haunted him was the Death Sentence. It haunted him night and day. He felt as if he would choke to death some time if he didn't find out the solution as to relieving the problem of the Death Sentence.

But he still had the feeling of the Death Sentence. He didn't know what the man meant about "being saved," but, if that was all there was to religion, he might as well not even waste his time, because it sure didn't do anything for him!

The preacher gave him a ride back to his motel and dropped him off. "We'll be glad to pick you up this evening for church," he said. Then added before driving off. "We'll be here at five to pick you up," then drove off.

"Well, I guess I'm going to church tonight too," thought William. And thus began Williams journey into finding God.

But it was not to be. He had no sooner gotten into his room when he noticed some things out of place. He looked for his wallet, and although it had been disturbed, everything seemed to be in it's place. About that time, he heard a knock at the door, and when he opened it, a man flashed a badge that said FBI across the top of it, then the man marched into the room.

"Well, please come in . . . " William snarled sarcastically. A second later another man stepped into the room and stood still right in front of the door.

"Please, come on in and make yourselves at home like you did while I was absent. Please don't mind yourself with any of my rights . . . you know, like the right to privacy, the right to an attorney . . ." Williams ire was up, and he stated this as sarcastically as he could. But the agent didn't seem to even notice, much less mind.

You are wanted for questioning down at headquarters. We would appreciate it if you'd just come peacefully, making it easy on yourself.

William was instantly mad, and said "this was all supposed to be over with. I've done nothing, I know nothing, and I'm not going peacefully. I'll go when I'm ready to go, and not a second sooner.

At that he turned around to face the guy now standing to the side of him. The man's Glock .40 was leveled at his chest, and he stated simply, "okay, we'll do it your way." At that, the other man came up behind him, pulled his arms around to his back, and cuffed him. He was pushed violently against the wall then patted him down. When he was satisfied William was unarmed, took him by the arm, and led him out the door to the waiting car.

"Is there a chance I can at least have my Bible?" he asked. The guy with the gun, now stowed, turned back, gathered up Wills Bible and his wallet, and left everything like it was. He shut the door behind him, locked it, and told the manager, "he'll probably be back in an hour or so. There's just someone he has to meet.

Things would be rough where he was going, but, at least he had a new companion. He had a new book to read!