As the Scottish historian and poet Sir Walter Scott has said, “Oh, what a tangled web we weave, when first we practice to deceive.” Today I want to share a true story with you that fits this saying to a tee.

This story took place on a nearby mountain and, due to the nature of this true story, I won’t tell you names, dates or locations out of respect to those who were adversely affected. There was a beautiful woman who lived on this nearby mountain with her two sons. I got to know her through Facebook and learned that I used to attend church with her sister and her family, including her husband and children. He was a carpenter by trade, and she helped him in his work.

In fact, several years ago we went on a mission trip to Iowa together, along with several others from our church, to help a sister church finish their building. This beautiful lady’s favorite Facebook saying was “hugs from the mountain.” Then, out of the blue, a few months ago her Facebook account said she had moved to Hawaii and loved it so much she planned to stay. This went on for several weeks, and her relatives became concerned about her. Their suspicions were confirmed when a photograph she supposedly sent was actually from a collection of Google photographs.

As a result, they contacted the authorities who went to her house to check on her. Her oldest son was there, and her younger son was in a nearby treatment center. After looking through the house, the authorities made a gruesome discovery. They found her body stuffed in an upright freezer. Her older son had reportedly used her Facebook account to make false reports, and he had access to her credit cards and bank account, including two or three direct deposit Social Security checks. Officials said that in a violent confrontation with his mother, he had choked her to death. Rather than contacting the authorities to confess what he had done, he devised this elaborate scheme to deceive the rest of the family.

Naturally, the whole family was very distraught, and I was saddened as well. Now, here is the part of the story that blessed my heart. Her sister’s children have all turned out to be outstanding individuals, and her youngest nephew is a pastor. Shortly thereafter, her extended family made arrangements with an area church to have a memorial service for this lady who was murdered, and they set the date. At this time, the urge hit me to attend this service, but it was several miles away and conducted by family members that I didn’t really know, and I also had a conflict in my schedule.

Now, here is the marvel of technology. On the day of the memorial service, I was scrolling through my Facebook page. Lo and behold, this service was being live-streamed, and I had the opportunity to view it. The front of the church had a beautiful photo of this dearly departed lady, and a number of her personal items. The most wonderful part of this true story for me was the nephew’s message in tribute to her. He was so good and what he had to say truly blessed my heart. I am sure everyone else, those who attended in person and those, like me, who were in the live-stream audience, were also blessed. To be sure, the family has closure and justice will be served.

—

(Jim Davidson is an author, public speaker, syndicated columnist, and Founder of the Bookcase for Every Child project. Since its inception in the Log Cabin Democrat in 1995, Jim’s column has been self-syndicated in over 375 newspapers in 35 states. For a personalized copy of “Your Future Begins Today” send $20, which includes postage and handling, to Jim Davidson, 2 Bentley Drive, Conway, AR 72034.)