It was a cold winter evening, one very much like this one. She heard singing as she walked past the wooden doors of a hall. “It is well with my soul,” the hymn proclaimed. She paused. Stepping into the threshold of the rectangular room, she chose a seat at the back of the room and listened. “Many deemed God as a cold, unforgiving person. They think of Him as someone distant. Someone who doesn’t know you personally, someone who doesn’t care. But you know what? Dear friends, God knows you better than you know yourselves and He values you for in Luke 12:6-7 says ‘Are not five sparrows sold for two farthings, and not one of them is forgotten before God? But even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not therefore: ye are of more value than many sparrows.’ And upon this principle He did act. He sent His Son to die for your sins. John 3:16 ‘For God so loved the world, He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him, should not perish, but have everlasting life.’ No matter how life may get you down. Place your trust in the Lord. He has made the ultimate sacrifice for you. He loves you. Will you not therefore, accept His gift of salvation?”
Marion left the hall that night greatly troubled. She thought of all the times when she had cursed God and blamed Him for the fate that had befallen her family. The message told her that God cared, but how? Will the dark times really lift? Does God really care for her?
The next day, Marion attended to her part-time job as usual. As she was collecting the used cutlery from the glass topped cafe bar, a woman with fiery red hair approached her. “Hi, I’m Annabelle. How are you?” Marion looked up.
“I heard you’ve been going through some pretty tough times. And I was wondering if I could be of any help. I just moved here yesterday you know.” Annabelle smiled. “I..I’m Marion,” she stammered. “Nice to meet you. I noticed you yesterday.” Annabelle tossed her head. “I wanted to talk to you but you left so quickly.”
“I..uh, I had some work to do.” Marion looked away. “Well, alright then. I have to go. Here’s my number,” Annabelle handed her a crisp white card. “Call me if you need help,” she declared as she flounced off.
Marion smiled as she fingered the yellowed pages of an old hymn book in her hands. The outgoing redhead beside her smiled. “Are you going to see him tomorrow?”
She opened the book. “Yeah. I always do on Mondays.”
“Do you think he’s remembered anything?” Annabelle gazed at her friend, worried. Marion sighed, her eyes tracing the painfully visible veins on her palms. “He might. I’m a little worried. He’s a gentle soul. He might withdraw into a depression when he realizes the truth.”
“Pray Marion. Trust the Lord. Just like you have been doing up until now,” Annabelle encouraged her friend. “I know. I will. And I thank Him every day for bringing you into my life. You have been invaluable to me,” Marion smiled. “Well, you did call. And anyway, I’m glad I could help,” the redhead concluded.
The pristine white building loomed before her as a prickly sensation crept up her spine. Twenty years of walking through the chrome metal doors and the chills never went away. She took a deep breath and strode in.
The thin man opposite her was a picture of despair. His shrunken shoulders sagged and his body shook as sobs filled the air. “I’m sorry Mary. I truly am. I’m sorry for making you go through all those years. I killed her Mary. I remember now. I...I..I killed a person.” Tears ran down his cheeks as he gazed at the woman before him. “I’m sorry Mary,” he implored.
Mary reached for her husband’s trembling hand. “I promised to stick with you in sickness and in health, in both good times and bad. Our promise was til’ death do us part,” she pulled a worn leather bound book out of the tattered canvas bag beside her. “I forgive you. And God forgives you too. He’s been good to me you know,” she told him as she slid the Bible across the table. “I love you Hayden. And I never regretted marrying you.”
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