God Notions

Matthew 5:43-45

“You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children of your Father in heaven

There she was standing in the 24-hour market with nothing on but a robe. Her feet bleeding and face swollen from being beaten until the monster had worn himself out. Months go by and she finds peace because he can’t find her. The year the divorce is final he does find her living in a cute little one bedroom home she has made hers…and the terror begins again.

Starting over, there is no furniture, no bed, no stove, or refrigerator. What she has: blankets, a pillow, some clothes, a car and a home. She is very thankful, others are not as fortunate. Her prayer every night: “Thank you Lord for never leaving me. Please protect me while I sleep and please don’t let the mice bite me.”

God protects and provides, she begins to move forward but her heart is growing angry and bitter over the past and current injustices that go unpunished. Anger grows and turns to hate and it begins to consume her on the inside. The light inside her grows dim. To the world she looks good, but she is dying inside.

Church is good, reading the bible is somewhat helpful if she knew where to start. Days grow to weeks and months and a few years later she marries again. He is handsome and funny. He protects her and they buy a house. A beautiful baby comes along and her heart is full. She makes a home and dinner and another beautiful baby is born. She sews and cooks, paints the kitchen and plants a garden and her heart sings praises to her Holy God.

Her husband’s heart grows dim and she can’t seem to find the way to reignite. They look like they are doing well but an unwanted, unknown divide has ruptured the marriage. He leaves because his wife is older and the children are grown. The greener pasture has more to offer and he never looks back.

She hasn’t “worked” in years and she has no income. Her children look to her and she prays: “Lord you are our father and husband now, we don’t know what tomorrow brings but you do. We place ourselves in your hand. Help us to trust and obey.”

In the dark she sits alone. Her prayers are unanswered. Waiting is unbearable. Why can anyone not see her pain? The phone rings and she prays, “Please ask me how I am.”  But the voice on the other end is only interested in filling the spaces for the church picnic; of course she will bring the bean salad. In the dark the click from the other end is deafening.

The darkness consumes her. She is so very alone. She prays for peace.

She prays for rest from this that wells up to consume her.

To be continued…..