“Good thing, because I have neither pretense nor show to offer. For me the Word of God is strong enough to stand all on its own.”
“I agree. I’ve attended church since I was born. My mother said even as a baby I was most attentive.” Charlie chuckled. “I love hearing the Bible recited and preached. The lessons it has for us there are so vital.”
“I completely agree with you and have been thinking of what you said about loving to teach. I’m wondering if you would consider teaching a Sunday school class of six- to fourteen-year-old boys every Sunday afternoon at two. You can speak on anything in the Bible that you like, but I can also let you know what the Sunday sermon will be, and you can teach on that to give the boys insight into what I’ll be talking about that evening.”
Charlie didn’t even have to think about it. “I would love to. I’m honored that you would trust me with such a position.”
“People speak highly of you, Charlie. Even in the short time you’ve been here, you have made impressions.”
“Thank you. I pray I won’t disappoint you or God.”
“Do you really suppose you can disappoint God, Charlie? Disappointment suggests an unfulfilled anticipation. A hope that things will go one way only to find they’ve gone another. Since God is all knowing, how can He be disappointed?”
“I’ve never really considered that point, but it makessense. I suppose instead of disappointment when we choose something other than Him, God is ... saddened.”
“I agree. God must surely face sorrow knowing the choices we make that will lead us to pain and injury. Imagine Him at the beginning of creating the heavens and earth. He knew it wouldn’t go well for man, and yet He continued to create. He had a plan beyond what He knew would be man’s choices. The plan was always to bring Jesus to a dying world.
“Some people think that Jesus coming to earth to die for our sins was an afterthought, but God knew the choices man would make before He ever put them in the garden. Jesus was always a part of the picture. Disappointment didn’t figure into it.”
Charlie nodded as the entire explanation came together in his mind. “I can see that now. I will endeavor not to lead God to sorrow over me and my choices.” He looked at Dr. Scott and smiled. “And I will endeavor to serve our little church faithfully.”
By Friday, Melody could hardly look at Da without feeling her tears come up anew. She couldn’t bear the idea of losing him. It terrified her and left her feeling like a small child, stranded and alone.
She argued with herself constantly about the situation. She was certain there had to be someone who could offer help. She knew there was money in the bank and more to come when the Ireland money was delivered. There was surely enough to travel to wherever they needed to go.
She hung up her kitchen apron and glanced over at Mrs. Cooper. “I need to check the garden before I go.”
“You tend that plot like a mother with a new babe,” Mrs. Cooper declared. “I’m impressed with all of your work, Melody. You’ve been the perfect employee.”
Melody forced a smile. “Thank you for saying so.”
“Are you all right? You’ve seemed preoccupied all week.”
“I have a lot on my mind, but, yes, I’m fine.” It wasn’t really a lie, Melody told herself. Da was the one who wasn’t fine, but she wasn’t yet ready to share that information with Mrs. Cooper.
Making her way outside, Melody grabbed her gardening gloves at the back door. She pulled them on as she approached the large garden plot. She spied a few weeds starting to grow. Also, there was a faint line of green down some of the rows she’d planted. The soil was good, and the rain they’d had, though minimal, had helped to grow the seeds into tiny plants.
As she weeded, Melody couldn’t help but wonder what she should do next. She needed to better understand her father’s situation and had already figured to check in with the railroad doctor sometime soon. Since the garden was in good order, why not leave early and go see him now?
She straightened and looked around. Everything was taken care of, and she’d even helped Mrs. Cooper by making a cake for supper. There wasn’t anything left, and if she went now, she might avoid seeing Charlie.
Charlie.
Now, there was a big disappointment. She had loved being his friend and enjoyed the things they talked about. Charlie had been a good friend. At least she’d thought he was a good friend. But good friends didn’t lie to each other.
But Charlie hadn’t really lied, a voice seemed to whisper. He’d not volunteered to share information with her that heknew she’d want to know, but that had been done because of a promise he’d given to Da. He hadn’t lied.
He really was an admirable man. She had to admit that much. The next time she met with Marybeth and Granny Taylor she would ask their opinion of the matter. It just wasn’t easy to understand the situation on her own. Her thoughts were far too jumbled, and underlying everything was fear.
Melody had never been one to be afraid. She’d always been ready and willing to rise to the occasion and face whatever there was to face, but not this time. She supposed it was because she’d always known she had her father to help her. Da would never allow her to face anything alone. She had felt safe and secure, even when their finances had been bad, because she knew Da would have an answer.
It came to mind that maybe she put more trust in her earthly father than she did her heavenly one. She frowned and pulled off her gloves. Surely that wasn’t the truth of it. She knew that God was in charge of all. That He knew all. She trusted Him.
Didn’t she?
She went back into the house and deposited her gloves. She found Mrs. Cooper in the kitchen spreading melted butter on top of the dinner rolls she’d just pulled from the oven.
“I’m taking off a little early,” she told the woman. “Everything is done, however, and I’ll stay a little longer tomorrow if need be.”
