Rust

James Moore:
All right, look, dad, I'm sorry I didn't become what you or everybody else had in mind for me.

Glen:
Oh, you think that's what's eating me, do ya?

James Moore:
Isn't it?

Glen:
What you do do with your life is your business. We all make our own choices.

James Moore:
Okay, fine. Yeah, great. I buy that. Why are you so angry with me?

Glen:
Who said I was angry? I'm not angry.

James Moore:
Okay. Disappointed.

Glen:
For no reason ever explained to me, you run away from here, and me, and everything that God had planned for you. Now and then you come bouncing back, most likely when you're running away from something else. And this time you need answers because the road you've been on is so filled with U-turns, you don't know which way it runs.

James Moore:
All right. Look, dad, first of all; I became a minister. I didn't run away from you or anybody else. I had a calling. And it wasn't as sudden as you make it out to be. And you know that.

Glen:
Fine.

James Moore:
And I didn't come here looking for answers. Or your sympathy.

Glen:
Son, every seed you've planted, everything you've ever put in the ground, including your mother, hasn't yielded a single thing. And that's not my fault, it's not your mother's fault, and it's certainly isn't God's fault. My question for you is simple: do you ever plan on finishing anything?

James Moore:
John, I've prayed, I've begged, I've gone to my knees, I've read and re-read the Scriptures until my eyes want to fall off my face and... just nothing. No answers. Nothing.

Pastor Barrow:
But a lot of questions.

James Moore:
It just doesn't make sense.

Pastor Barrow:
What is it that doesn't make sense?

James Moore:
Any of it. Anything. Everything. Everything that's happening in the world. It's... this thing with Travis; this terrible thing that he's done; will somebody, please somebody, somebody explain to me what's going on. John, every day I look around, innocent lives are being destroyed. Wars over differences of... of faith? And children, children, sweet, innocent, young children being taken from us by guns and bullets and brutal acts of nature. And those of us who are supposed to be protecting them, giving them faith, showing them guidance, they commit the most unspeakable acts of all. They all but desecrate His name. Is it any wonder that people are running away from the church? They're abandoning their faith. I know, I know in my heart, I know that He has a reason but for the first time in my life I need to understand here [points at his head] . I need to understand why He would allow such terrible things. And He won't answer me now. When I need Him, so desperately. When I have... I have given my entire life to Him.

James Moore:
Well, obviously you found your way back.

Pastor Barrow:
Yes, I did. As you will too, James. Have patience. Have faith. God has not forsaken you.

James Moore:
You know, I don't go sticking my nose in anyone's manure. But if you're asking, if it feels like a square peg is being forced into a round hole, well...

Glen:
What, you're saying you don't think he did it?

James Moore:
I didn't say that. I said I don't get involved in stuff like this. But I will tell you this however; there's a seed of truth in every lie. What that seed is, what becomes of it, that's all up to the guy that's pulling the plough.

James Moore:
Look, I'd like to talk to you about Travis.

Ms. Wexler:
There's nothing to talk about.

James Moore:
Do you think maybe, maybe we could go inside, we could sit down. Or maybe I could take you and get a cup of coffee.

Ms. Wexler:
I don't need coffee. And I don't need conversation. Travis is gone. Everyone's happy. Fine.

James Moore:
Not me.

Ms. Wexler:
Not you?

James Moore:
No, ma'am. I'm not happy.

Ms. Wexler:
And why is that?

James Moore:
Gut feeling.

Ms. Wexler:
[laughs then begins coughing]

James Moore:
Ma'am, you all right?

Ms. Wexler:
Come in. Shut the door. [coughing, pours herself a glass of water and drinks some of the water]

Ms. Wexler:
Don't take up smoking.

James Moore:
No, ma'am.

Ms. Wexler:
And stop with the ma'am business, would ya? We're both too old for that.

James Moore:
Okay.

Ms. Wexler:
Travis didn't do what he's being blamed for. Plain and simple. I know it. You know it.

James Moore:
You know this as a fact?

Ms. Wexler:
I know this as a mother.

James Moore:
Okay. Well then, who did do it?

Ms. Wexler:
You're suggesting there is someone? What makes you think that?

James Moore:
Because everybody...

Ms. Wexler:
Yeah. Right.

James Moore:
Oh, okay. I see where you're going with this. So let's say there's some other explanation. Then why, why is Travis taking the blame? Why, why is he saying that he did it? It makes no sense.

Ms. Wexler:
No, it doesn't, Jimmy. But it's Travis we're talking about here. Half of whatever he did in his life never made sense. But the other half made perfect sense.

James Moore:
"The spirit of the place astounds. The joy of it all. The reception bestowed upon us is surely of Your making and the generosity of those who have received us. We are blessed to be here. To use our hearts and hands to honor, to serve, to sow the seed. All men walk in the shadows of uncertainty. And it was with anxious concern that we set forth on our journey. We have been taught that it is without faith that we stumble, and fall, and cannot get up. And it is without community that we fear the darkness. But here; in this remote, frackle, on Your bountiful earth, we have found solace. We have found a comfort amongst strangers. And a beacon of light from a community so strong that no shadow shall do us harm, no matter how wide it's cast. Nor shall it prevent us from living the life You have created for us to serve in Your name and enjoy Your abundant and wondrous gifts. We thank Thee, Lord, in the name of Jesus Christ, for the opportunity before us."

James Moore:
And that's the way God works. Not thread by thread, but the entire weaving of His warmth. And His being. And for that, He wants one thing, and one thing only: our faith. Our unbroken belief and infinite trust in the journey that He has planned for us. No matter how challenged we may feel. Whatever dark shadow we find ourselves cast under, no matter how squeaky the rusted hinge, He is there for us. Fighting that rust that works it's way into all of our lives. And smothering us with that unconditional and everlasting blanket of warmth and comfort.