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Topic: Laughter (10/18/04)
TITLE: Laughter Again By Karri Compton 10/22/04 |
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Happy anniversary, darling! How long ago had it been since she had heard that? It seemed like an eternity. Life was full of laughter and happiness then. Not perfect, of course. After several years they were not yet pregnant, dreams slowly dying. Although Sheila had considered adoption, Mark hungered for his own son. Someone to carry on the name. But it wasn’t meant to be. The specialist’s words still rang in Sheila’s ears – “I’m sorry, but you’ll never be able to have a baby.” That stopped the laughter altogether. Mark couldn’t accept that. His faith being newer than Sheila’s, he balked at a God who wouldn’t grant his one greatest desire. So he left, not wanting to be married to someone who couldn’t bear him a child. She knew that she should be strong, accepting the abandonment that surely wasn’t her fault. But it had been so hard. Unbearably hard. Until a day about two months later …
A faithful friend and mentor had stopped by to chat one day. “This is not hopeless”, she had said. “This doesn’t have to be the end. We are going to pray and believe God for a miracle. You may never have children of your own, but you can have your husband back. For this family to stay together is God’s will, and we are going to agree with it.” Conversation turned to fervent prayer for Mark. Wisdom, discernment, and God’s glory was sought. Petitions were made for Sheila’s dear husband to return to her and to reclaim his relationship with God. And she had continued those prayers faithfully each day until now. Today was no exception.
After her time of interceding, it was back to daily tasks. A trip to the mailbox seemed pointless – probably more bills. But then, one never knows. As Sheila picked through the flyers, credit card offers, and useless magazines, her gaze fell on a small envelope. The postmark is not from here. No return address. Retrieving a sliver of hope from deep inside, her trembling fingers opened it. Barely noticing the beauty of the card, her eyes darted to the first line. Familiar script penned these words: Sheila, please take me back… It was then the laughter returned.