Rosaline self-consciously tucked a tendril behind her ear. “That doesn’t mean that Thomas will accept my presence as part of this family. I don’t know how to read him. At times it seems like we could have a friendship, at others he lashes out in anger.”
“He’s hurting and doesn’t know how to deal with it. You and I know that when we hurt, we take it to God, Thomas doesn’t have anywhere he can take it, so it festers.”
Rosaline felt pity for Thomas. He had the answer to all his problems right in front of him. His own unwillingness to turn to God made him his own worst enemy.
Arthur leaned over the table and gently squeezed the hand that was lying next to her Bible.
“May I?” he asked and reached for her Bible.
“Of course.”
He ran his fingers over the faded gold lettering on the cover. “It’s a beautiful edition.”
“Thank you,” A smile plucked at her lips. “It belonged to my mother, some of the pages are worn already.”
“No matter. I always say that when your Bible is falling apart, it means your life is not. Every seasoned Christian should boast a well-worn Bible.”
Rosaline felt proud of the heritage her mother had passed on to her and a growing warmth towards this wise man who she was beginning to see as a father.
“I want to share a passage with you that God laid on my heart last night.” He leafed through the pages. “Here it is,(Ephesians 2:8-10) For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.”He finished reading the passage out loud and looked up at Rosaline.
Tears were welling in her eyes as he continued. “You are uniquely and wonderfully made, Rosaline. God has called you here for a reason, He has equipped you with gifts that none of us possesses, and you better be sure that it is those gifts that will see you through.’’
“That was my mother’s favorite verse,” she said through tears. “I’m trying my best Arthur, truly I am. I can do all of the housework and milk the cows, I’m just not sure I can ever be enough for Robbie.” She hugged the squirming child close to her. “I’m a poor replacement for his mother.”
“You aren’t meant to be a replacement, lass. You are meant to be yourself and fill a role that only you can fill.” He gestured towards Robbie who was playing with the loose strands of her hair. “You say you haven't made any progress. Robbie isn’t crying anymore. It may seem like it takes a long time to calm him, but a week ago he would still be crying for Buena.”
Rosaline turned her head to look at the child with his tear-stained cheeks. He looked down at her and placed a chubby hand on her cheek where a tear had left a trail. She smiled at him before he started fussing again and pulled away.
Arthur chuckled deep in his throat. “Baby steps. You have done far more than you realize, Rosaline. There is a difference in this family since you came. I can see it.”
Rosaline began to cry, releasing the pent up emotions she had been trying to hold back.
Arthur stood and made his way around the table. He placed his arms around Both Rosaline and Robbie, drawing them into a giant hug. “Dry your tears, lass. You are more than enough.” Arthur drew back and smiled down at her and Robbie. “I’ll let you get along with feeding this little chap.”
Robbie squirmed and fought with her hair as she laughed halfheartedly. “Thank you, Arthur,” She said gratefully, untangling Robbie’s chubby fists from her hair.
Arthur winked at her and walked to the door. He paused for a moment and looked back at her. “I don’t know if this helps in any way, but in the dream, you were singing.”
Rosaline sat stunned as she watched him leave.
***
Robbie was fussing in his crib, crying and throwing out the blanket that Rosaline was attempting to cover him with. It had been a long day, trying to do all her chores and watch Robbie at the same time.
She gently pushed him back down. “It’s time to sleep little one, I know you must be as tired as I am.” She’d tried what Thomas had suggested with stroking the curls in the back of his neck like his mother used to do, to no avail. It seemed like an impossibility at the moment that Robbie would ever warm up to her.
Robbie started yowling and turned red in the face, drawing his legs up and kicking. Lord knows how Buena managed all of this on her own before she came. Then again, having three boys would equip anyone for battle.
Rosaline drew back and clasped her hands behind her neck. She was at her wit's end trying to settle him down. “Lord, help me,” She prayed out loud. Arthur’s parting words after their conversation in the kitchen that morning came back to her.
“I don’t know if this helps in any way, but in the dream, you were singing.”
She shut her eyes and quietly began to sing.
“Amazing Grace, how sweet the sound
That saved a wretch like me
