27 September 2026, Freewriters Community Daily Writing Prompt Day 3239: reward me
“I just don't get how you are doing so much for so little, Robert – I get that you are a veteran and there are a lot of things you do for duty, but still.”
Capt. R.E. Ludlow restrained a sigh, and asked a question instead of saying what he really wanted to.
“I'm curious, Simon,” he said. “How do you think God should reward me for having taken in my grandchildren and a little cousin?”
This brought Simon up short.
“I wasn't thinking of it in those terms, cousin.”
“I know. That's where we are different, Simon.”
Capt. Ludlow did not even bother to tell his cousin that he had in that year created and sold the Ludlow Bubbly for the type of reward a man like Simon would be more interested in. There were bigger things to discuss.
“I mean, I am a Christian, but raising one child on good income is hard nowadays,” Simon said. “You have eight now, Robert, and we're not that far apart in age, but you are older and that can't be easy.”
“I buried two children, Simon. How much do you think it means to me, that God sees fit to let me have a second chance at a moment when I have time in my life to give the kind of time and attention I couldn't while on active duty, to raise eight?”
“Well, when you put it that way, cousin, it starts to make more sense.”
“It is said, Simon, that virtue is its own reward, and it is, for those interested in virtue. But where virtue, duty, and love meet, there a man might find that his hardest work is his greatest reward, and nine times over, my family has become that work and that reward to me.”
“Is Thalia good with it all?”
“She is with me, one hundred percent – our love has grown and deepened over this matter.”
“Well, that alone in these times can be considered quite a reward!”
“Indeed, Simon. I do not take that for granted at all. It is part of the utter peace I have about my life, of doing what I know I am to be doing. I still have a Commander in Chief, and I do not mean the president. For it is written: 'If any man provide not for his own, he is worse than an infidel, and hath denied the faith.' I am a man still under orders, Simon, and it is my duty, my honor, and my pleasure to do the will of God for my life.”
There was a long silence.
“I wish I knew what you knew, Robert,” Simon said.
“I will tell you the secret, Simon. Go ask God what His will is for your life, and do whatever He says, moment by moment, day by day. Since you are a Christian, we can know that Matthew 28:19-20 is in there, and since you are married and have children, you may as well read Ephesians 5:25 to the end, after you get the general idea of why you are in this earth and how you are considered in heaven in Ephesians 1. Read all of that twice. Let it sink in. Galatians 5:16-26 will help you work with it all.”
“I've never heard any of that preached on in church, Robert. I don't know if I've seriously read any of that past the Gospels.”
“It is there for you now that you are ready, Simon. If you have any questions, call me.”
“You know what, Robert? I will!”
After the conversation was over, Capt. Ludlow found himself embraced from behind by his eldest two grandchildren, eleven-year-old Eleanor and ten-year-old Andrew.
“We love how you make time to make sure people GET IT!” Eleanor said.
“More families not messed up!” Andrew said.
“Why yes,” Capt. Ludlow said, and turned around and gathered his grandchildren into his embrace.