Oh, this didn’t sound good. He held his breath.
“But the boss wants you fired. Today. I’m sorry. Gather your things, and you’ll be given an extra week’s pay. That’s the best I can do.”
For several seconds, all Jacob could do was blink. His ears pounded. “Sir? I ... I don’t understand.”
The man shrugged but wouldn’t meet his gaze. “I don’t either. But the decision is final. Your contract for the summer has been voided.”
“Have I done something wrong?” His lunch was no longer happy in his stomach. The churning started and his heart sank.Did they know he’d overheard their plans? Or was it something else? One of the men complained about him talking about God. Could that be it? He opened his mouth, but his foreman raised a hand and stopped him.
“I can’t say anything else. I’m sorry. You’ve been a good worker, Duncan.” The man gripped Jacob’s shoulder and then headed out of the tent.
“I guess that’s that.” He slapped his hat against his thigh as he watched the man walk away. He leaned against the table, deflating in the hot summer air. He’d never been fired before. Never. For a moment, he couldn’t pull in a full breath.
God, You’re in control and not surprised by these circumstances, even though I am. In my arrogance, I wanted to bethe one to quit.He paused and thought about his time with the Lord a few days ago. That same peace filled his heart. His shoulders relaxed and his stomach settled down.
He’d been fired. It stung, sure. But hadn’t he asked the Lord to lead him? To show him what to do next?
Jacob slid his hat back on, feeling a little lighter. God had answered his prayer.You know best, and I need to rest in that.Pastor Moody’s prayer for him echoed in his mind. And Lord, help me to be a light forYou.Help me to remember that I must seek to find You in every circumstance.
Staring out at the dig site one last time, Jacob resolved to do just that. Without saying a word to any of the other men, he tidied his work station, making sure to return the dig site’s tools to the tool shed. He carefully wrapped the long rib bone that had been the highlight of working here. Dwarfing him in length, he hauled it up to Joe. “I’m thankful I was able to get this out intact.” He tipped his hat at the man then headed to the trail that led him away from the dig site and back to where the wagons brought the men back to town.
At this time of day, there was little chance the wagons would be there.
When he reached the trailhead, he glanced around with a groan. Not a wagon or horse in sight.
It was a long walk back to Denver.
Jacob replayed the day’s events in his mind. What could he learn about the Lord from what happened today? What did he need to learn about himself? Things he could have done better. His thoughts turned to the men whose complaints were of him talking too much about his faith.
All of the other men conversed while they were working. And the stories were not the cleanest. So Jacob had joined in with his thoughts and convictions. Could that be it? Maybe the men thought he was judging them ... condemning them for their lewd behavior.
Which, okay, maybe he had been. He hadn’t wanted to listen to the garbage the men spewed. But he could have handled it in a different way.
Lord, I don’t know what to do. Inmy zeal to be a light for You, did I push those men further away? I’m sorry. Forgive me. Show me what steps I need to take next.
The encouragement he’d felt earlier from his mother’s letter meant more to him now than it had this morning. It was humbling to see his mistakes. How he could have done things differently. How long had he acted like he knew everything? The blindness to his pride had cost him in many ways.
But the Lord had still been faithful. Given him an answer to the job problem. Even if it was painful. Jacob sighed. The past was the past, but he was determined to learn. To grow. It was evident he needed more time in the Word and with Jesus.
If he wanted to get back before dark, he’d better hurry. He shoved his hands into his pockets for the long trek home and picked up the pace.
He’d have to read the letter from home again for encouragement. Reaching into his pocket, he frowned.
Where had his mother’s letter gone?
MONDAY, APRIL29, 1889•UNIVERSITYOFDENVER
“I’m so glad to hear that Lily Rose convinced you to go back to your work, but I’m sorry to hear of your father’s fall.” The soft way Jacob looked at her tipped the world on its end. Martha barely knew the man and yet the look in his eyes made her feel at home. Comfortable.
“Thank you. We are praying for his recovery, but I know he would want me out there doing what I love.” Even though Lily Rose had mentioned getting her back to work, they’d avoided telling him what her work was. The dance they’d learned to play with words as soon as she entered paleontology had taken time.
But to Jacob’s credit, he hadn’t pressed.
Martha wrapped her scarf a little tighter around her neck. “It’s colder than I expected.” She shoved her gloved hands deep into her coat pockets. With Jacob on her left and Lily Rose a few steps behind, she enjoyed the companionship.
“But look at those stars.” The awe in Jacob’s voice as they walked outside the lecture hall was a lift to her spirits.
With her father still bedridden and awake for a few moments here and there, she’d found herself slipping into a bit of a dispirited frame of mind. She angled her head back and followed his gaze. The night sky was clear and full of millions of twinkling stars. The vastness mesmerized her. “They are beautiful.” Her breath puffed out in a little cloud with her words.
