“Ma, your bread is always the best!”
Martha smiled. “Nan needs tending to, Dear.”
“I don’t know what to say to her.”
“God will help you.”
Fred stretched and slowly opened the door to the small bedroom. “Sweetheart, are you awake?”
“Yes, just thinking.”
“What are you thinking about?”
“I just couldn’t get over how powerless she looked.”
“From the things you told me and how she looked, Mr. Dewey was a brute.”
“Yes, he was. Back then she was too. Somehow she looked different today.”
“You were looking at her from a position of equality today. She doesn’t have any control over you or Elmer any longer.”
“I know, but her eyes were different today… even from when she was here earlier today.”
“I saw it too. She realizes that she is alone again, except now she has a child to raise. I think she has a clear understanding of how alone you and Elmer were when your parents died.”
“She really was sorry… for everything, wasn’t she?” Nan bit her lip.
“I would say so.”
“I don’t know how to forgive her,” Nan said quietly.
“God knows that you cannot forgive her in your own strength. That is why He will help you. God knows everything you are thinking about. He knows all the pain that you have been through, but He wants you to tell it to Him. It is good for you to tell Him. Healing comes from confession. Confessing hurts and pains committed against you and things you have felt about her and Mr. Dewey,” Fred instructed.
“God wouldn’t accept me if I told Him all the hateful things I have felt about them. I have felt them about God too!” Nan sobbed.
“Tell Him how you felt when your Ma and Pa died. Tell Him how afraid you were. Tell Him everything.”
Nan nodded.
“Then, Nan, you have to repent of your sins.”
Nan opened her mouth to reply but Fred continued, “The Bible says that no one that has ever lived has been perfect except Jesus. We all have sinned and come short of the glory of God. But if we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins. Do you understand?”
“Yes.”
“After you confess your sins, ask Jesus to take control of your life. When He does, that is what gives you the ability to forgive others.”
“I see.”
“Then thank Him for saving and redeeming your soul.”
“I feel like I need to be alone to do this. Will that be alright or do I need a preacher with me?”
Fred smiled, “Dear wife, everyone stands before God alone. It is a journey that must begin with one soul and one God. I will leave you for now.”
Fred waited at the kitchen table like a man waiting for the birth of his first-born child. He heard her crying and struggling …wrestling with God like Jacob of old. Finally, the door opened and a soft-eyed woman stood in a shaft of sunlight coming through the window. She looked angelic. The black hair was glossy and reflected the sunlight. Goodness, she looked like a painting from the big family Bible on the table. A slow smile spread and blossomed across her beautiful face. One big tear tugged at the corner of her eye and was released as her smile widened. “I never felt like this before!”
He reached for her hand and bowed his head, “Dear Lord, a new name has been written in Your book. I thank you that she has come to you today.” His voice filled with tears and he had to finish the prayer at that.”
She looked into the face of her husband and said, “Darling, you are so dear to me. You rescued me. I pledge to hold you close forever. I will never leave you and I promise to love you forever.”
“Beloved, you think that I rescued you, but if it hadn’t been for you, I don’t know what would have happened to me. You think you are the one who had to learn how to forgive, but I had my own journey of forgiveness to walk through. I owe you my life and my return to the Savior. I will stay with you forever and be your protector. I promise to let you grow into the woman God has in mind for you to be. You are the dear mother of our son, and you are my treasure.”
“I love you, Fred.”
“I love you.”
They stood in the doorway unmindful of anyone else. They had begun a journey of a lifetime.
The End
Other books by Elaine Littau:
Elk’s Resolve
Luke’s Legacy
The Eyes of a Stranger
Timothy’s Home
Some Happy Day
Capture the Wandering Heart
Walk Slowly through the Dark
The Restless Kansas Wind
Six Miles from Nashville
Christmas in Nashville
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