TITLE: Faith, Hope, and Love By Sheila Koester 02/21/07 |
SEND A PRIVATE COMMENT
SEND ARTICLE TO A FRIEND |
Faith, Hope, and Love
by
Sheila Koester
“Hi Hon. When will you be here?”
“I don’t know. They are sending us out on a mission tonight.”
Elise held the phone cord with one hand and untangled it from her curly, blonde hair. She looked at the time. It was 3:00 am.
“I miss you so much that I cry every day.”
“I know its rough Babe. This war isn’t going to end any time soon. Our President won’t quit until the area is under control. We are expecting more reinforcements from the United States later this week. I love you and carry your picture around with me right here in my pocket.”
“It’s so hard not being near you. I’m strong. I’ll be here waiting for you when you come home. I’m wishing you were lying here next to me keeping me safe and warm. Honey, hold me tight and don’t let go.”
“I got you Babe. I’m holding you tight and I can feel your warm body next to mine. It feels so good.”
Elise dreamed of all the endless possibilities.
“Hate to leave you like this Baby but my platoon Sergeant is barking orders at us like crazy. Love you Sweetheart. You’ll always be with me in my heart wherever I go.”
“Larry?” Elise heard a smacking sound and no other response. A rude buzz interrupted her brief romantic interlude. She wondered when she would hear from him again.
She snuggled under the sheets and tried to remember what it was like sleeping next to Larry. She could still feel his warm breath on her arms as he planted kisses on her arms, neck and face. Yawning she hugged the solitary pillow next to her and dreamt of Larry and love.
“Hi Cheryl,” Elise answered the phone. “What time is it?”
She looked at the alarm clock. It was 9:30 am. She forgot about her promise to take Cheryl to the support group at church. She was oblivious to everything else going on in the world while held captive by her dreams of Larry. The sun shining through the curtains hadn’t awakened her from her deep sleep as it often did other mornings.
“I’m sorry Cheryl. I didn’t realize it was this late in the morning. Did the mechanic say when will your car will be ready?”
“Not till tomorrow Elise. Don’t apologize for being late. I’ll wait here until you come. We’ll be a little late for the meeting but I’m sure the others will understand.”
“Thanks. I’ll be there soon.”
She threw off the covers and grabbed a pair of light blue shorts, ankle socks and a tee shirt with the words God loves all creatures great and small over a picture of a puppy, kitten, and baby rabbit from out of her dresser drawers. After changing into these, she hurried down the stairs into the kitchen. Pulling out cellophane wrapped banana bread from the refrigerator she found her purse and car keys and headed out the door. Cheryl lived a few doors down from her house.
“Hi Elise.” Cheryl put her sugar cookies next to Elise’s banana bread in the back seat. “Have you heard anything yet from Larry?” She shut the passenger door.
“He called me this morning. I miss him so much.”
“Did he say if he would be coming home soon?”
“He said he is going on a mission today and doesn’t have a clue when his tour in Iraq will be over.” Cheryl switched gears from reverse to drive after checking that no cars were coming in her rear view mirror.
“I hope he will come home soon. Brian’s unit returned last week so I thought your husband’s tour of duty would be ending soon too. My husband's name almost appeared on the fatality list last year on a mission in Baghdad, Iraq. Fortunately, his unit was relieved of dangerous mission work so they could come home.“
“There is always faith, hope and love. I pray for his safe return every day.”
“Dear Lord please protect Larry and bring him safely home. Thank you for your blessings and that you have protected my husband holding him in your enormous, caring hands allowing him to come home where he belongs. Help Elise to be strong and patiently wait for her husband’s safe return. I pray that You will protect her and keep her safe from harm. Please let her love for Larry sustain her through this trying time of waiting. Bring Larry home soon so he can be here with Elise to welcome Sam or Samantha into this world. In Jesus Name. Amen.”
Elise laughed. She didn’t have a chance to tell Larry that he would be a new father. His sergeant had called him away before she could tell him the news.
After the support group meeting Elise and Cheryl walked through the church parking lot to the blue sedan.
“I like what our teacher said about praying, faith and keeping busy while waiting for our loved ones to come home.” Elise said while looking for her car keys.
“Yes it was interesting but now I’m hungry. It is after 1:30 pm. I usually have lunch at 12:00 noon.”
“Sounds good to me Cheryl. I’d like to visit my grandfather’s grave after lunch. I want to put into practice what I learned at the meeting today and say some prayers of remembrance for him.”
“I can recommend a cozy Greek restaurant near the national cemetery.”
“Ok we can go there first and then on to the cemetery.” Elise started the engine after they were in the car.
Two hours later the women were standing in front of the head stone marking Elise’s grandfather’s grave. Elise looked at the inscription on her grandfather’s head stone.
“My grandfather served his country in the European African Middle Eastern campaign during World War II and lived to tell us about his Army experiences. Cancer ended his life a few years ago. I wonder if Larry will come home alive so that he can tell his son or daughter about his experiences in Iraq,” Elise brushed a tear away from her cheek.
“He will Elise. I have a vision from the Lord that Larry has come home and is holding you safely in his arms.”
“I don’t know. I hear so many sad stories from the women in our support group about losing a son, brother or husband. Maybe we will be holding a memorial service for Larry at this cemetery. He told me he was going on a mission today but didn’t say anything to me about the dangers he would be encountering there.”
“Remember what 1 Corinthians 13:13 tell us and now these three remain: faith, hope, and love. But the greatest of these is love. Your love for Larry will bring him safely home.”
“That is so beautiful,” Elise hugged her friend.
Later that evening Elise pulled out a recent Valentine’s Day card that Larry had sent her. She stared at the laced heart engulfing the love poem he had written for her.
Faith, hope and love.
My faith is in your
Reflection in the mirror.
My hope is that
We will be together forever.
With your love behind me
I can perform great feats of valor.
“All my love to you too Larry,” Elise whispered holding the card close to her heart. “Please Lord bring him home to me safely, soon.”
She changed into the lavender, spaghetti strapped nightgown that she wore for Larry when she wanted him to hold her tightly in his arms stroking her hair. Lying between the cool, crisp sheets reminded her of warm cozy nights with Larry.
The phone rang disturbing her deep sleep.
“Hello,” she answered. She heard static at the other end of the phone line.
“Is this Mrs. Magorin?”
“Yes.” Elise looked at the clock on the nightstand next to the phone. It was 3:00 am. The same time she last spoke to Larry the day before. She wondered if something terrible had happened to Larry.
“This is Sergeant Strummer. I’m calling about your husband.”
Elise turned to face the wall. Her hair blended in with the black phone cord as she held the speaker closer to her ear. She sighed hoping for the best but prepared to hear the worst.
“I have good news. Your husband is fine and will be returning to the States later this month. A piece of shrapnel lodged itself into his right leg. The doctors had to amputate but otherwise he is all right and in very good spirits. His mobility will be limited for a while. He told me to tell you he loves you very much, misses you, and can’t wait to hold you in his arms again.”
“Thank you Sergeant Strummer,” Elise hung up the phone. She remembered to thank God for His faith, her hope and Larry’s love.
The opinions expressed by authors may not necessarily reflect the opinion of FaithWriters.com.