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Topic: Obedience (01/31/05)
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TITLE: Prepare the Heart | Previous Challenge Entry
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02/07/05 -
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An embarrassed giggle interrupted her prayer. "Oh, I know! I started off that wishy-washy in my faith, too! Honestly, if it hadn't been for the struggle with infertility and the nasty friend Jack was hanging around, I probably would still be stuck in low gear right along with Jack. I am so glad You didn't give up on me. Now, Jack has finally come around." Camilla gave the homemade sauce a quick stir encouraging the savory tomato and herbs to drift into the air.
"I thought it would be hard to wait for Jack to catch up to me, but You do perform miracles. That spark caught, and Jack is ready to go!" Camilla waved the saucy spoon just enough to leave a splatter. "Oops!" The giggle emerged again. She grabbed the wet towel she kept handy for such an occasion and quickly wiped it clean. The water bubbled cheerfully. The pasta was ready.
"I'm so excited and nervous about this ministry idea he has. It must be big for him to ask me to find someplace for the kids to be this evening so we could talk privately with no interruptions. I wonder what it is? Homeless? Orphans? Budgeting for credit card debt? You know what a whiz at finances he is."
Camilla glanced up from putting the lasagna together. "Any hints, Lord? No?" Camilla shrugged. "Oh, well, whatever it is I'm ready to jump in where he needs me."
As the lasagna baked, Camilla flitted across the kitchen performing the routine clean up. "It is so good to finally have my husband on the same faith level as I am. And, finally be the spiritual leader he is supposed to be. I wondered if that would ever happen." Camilla put the sunflower teapot on the stove. "Here we are, Lord! I guess it really is all about timing. We've been waiting for Jack and the time is here."
The teapot whistled gaily. Despite the summer heat, Camilla made a cup of tea to sip in an effort to calm her excitement enough to wait patiently for Jack to come home from work. She held the warm cup in her hands breathing in the aromatic cinnamon and peach. She sipped gently, willing herself to calm down.
At that moment God took the opportunity to speak, "Camilla, my precious daughter, has it ever occurred to you that 'we' were not waiting on Jack? Instead, I was preparing your heart to walk after your husband when he received the call."
What?! Camilla dropped the cup to the counter. Hard. She opened her mouth to protest. God held up His hand. "Wait." He spoke gently, reminding Camilla of the times she had thumbed her nose at her husband's authority. Sometimes inwardly, sometimes outwardly. He showed her the times she had squelched her husband's attempts to step into the role God had designed for Jack. Then, in loving grace and mercy, God showed Camilla how He had grown her in Word and she responded in deed.
The truth was obvious to her now. Had Jack been called into ministry even five years ago, she would have wildly bucked the idea. The light, once brightened by her excitement, glowed warmly in the presence of the peace and inner strength rising up from her heart.
Click. Jack's key turned the lock. She could hear the rustle of activity that accompanied his entry into the home. The oven buzzer went off. It was time. Time to embrace her husband. Time to fulfill the role of helpmeet, to be the pillar of strength God had designed and trained her to be.
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Great story - God bless you.