Beth stepped onto the expansive screened-in porch. Warming her hands around her teacup, she settled on the porch swing and stared at the mountain surrounding the back of the cottage. A blue mist rose from the creek and dissipated part-way up the mountain. The sun peeked out, casting filtered light across the lawn. What a glorious spring day!
Lifting the cup to her lips, she caught sight of her ring. Pain ripped through her, tearing at her heart. Oh, Lord. I don't know what to do. I'm so lost…so numb with pain. I never thought a person's heart could actually break...Mine is not only broken, it's shattered. What do I do?
A single tear slipped down her cheek…A second one rolled down the other.
Standing, she went inside and headed for the bedroom. She walked to the nightstand and opened the drawer. Reaching behind her Bible, she pulled out a jewelry box, opened it and placed it on the nightstand.
Lord, I don't know if this is the right thing to do…I can't think straight. Every time I look at this I become swamped with confusion and pain. I just can't take it any more. If I'm going to make the right decisions, I have to be completely free. And as long as I wear this, I’m still tied to Kyle. I can't keep making decisions based on how Kyle would react. I have to do this.
She placed the ring in the box and wrapped it in a handkerchief. Stuffing it behind her Bible, she shut the drawer. There…I'm not Kyle's property. I belong to God and God alone. I need to find myself…find who God wants me to be…what He wants me to do.
Determined, she swiped away the tears and went to fix something to eat. She found a breakfast casserole in the refrigerator and warmed a portion in the microwave.
"I need to call Tiffany and tell her about this place. She and the boys would love it here. I almost wish I could share it with them." She sighed as loneliness nipped at her. The Holy Spirit whispered to her heart, reminding her of God's presence.
Smiling, she bowed over her meal. "Oh, Father…thank you for loving me and staying with me no matter what. Thank you for providing this food. Please help Tiffany to see how wonderful You are and how much she needs You. Help my parents to not worry. And please, help me to make right decisions from this point on. I'm starting over, Lord. Help Kyle, too. Help him to see his errors…help him to follow your Word instead of the misconceptions he's been taught. And please bless Adam for his kindness and keep him safe. For Jesus' sake…"
Wanting to keep her communion open with God, she let her prayer trail off and took a bite. "Mmm…" Thank you, Lord, for Betty's kindness. Please bless her and Jerry.
Taking another bite, "Mmm…" This casserole is heavenly…
~Linnette R Mullin
10 comments:
Linnette...
Oh goodie, goodie...the next chapter...LOL I love this story and can not wait for each new chapter to come... You write just beautifully... I really don't know how you manage to find the time, with your working and having Lyme and the kids having Lyme and with everything that has been going on....but I say BRAVO!!
Love and hugs
Ellen
Linnette,
I may have to try to talk you into making this one into a series, I'm loving this character. I'm loving the story ling and the way you bring the story together. You are truly blessed with a gift!
Marcie
Good job! I agree with Marcie, we'll need Tiffany's story after you finish Beth's.
Thanks for the encouraging words, ladies. Keep the comments coming!
Funny you should mention Tiffany, Kimberly. After reading Marcie's comment, I started thinking about a sequel...maybe call it "Loving Tiffany." ;-)
Hugs to you all,
~Linnette R Mullin
Dear Linnette,
I like the way your story is heading. I can always hardly wait to see what happens!
Love,
Carolyn
Very nice, love it so far. :D
- Jessica D.
Linnette,
I'm hooked.
Catherine
I'm still loving it Linnette. Keep it coming. You are doing well with all that you go through each day. God's Blessings to you..Kim
Linnette,
Congratulations on your article, published in the HACWN newsletter. By the way, I agree with Marcie. I would really love to add a row of
your books to our bookshelf. My daughter and I have read hundreds of Christian fiction novels and we tend to purchase most of them. She
can't let any of them go because she (and I) re-reads them. We are
running short on space, but we will find room for yours...Keep up the good work. I only wish your "row of books" were already
written and on my shelf!
Catherine
Just finished reading Beth's story. What a pleasure! But I can hardly wait to read the rest. Bless you, Linnette, you have real talent.
Frieda
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