She chuckled. “Oh, by the way, did you ever get a letter off to your aunt?”
“I did. It was probably the hardest letter I ever had to write.”
“I’m sure it was.”
They began to walk toward the street in silence. Will concentrated on the path to make sure he didn’t hit any hidden patches of ice, but all the while, he wanted to watch Laura.
“The party plans are coming together in good order,” Laura continued. “Mrs. Murphy has all sorts of delicacies planned. She makes the most delicious pastries.”
“You forget I’ve been eating her food for a month now. I’m quite aware that she’s gifted,” Will admitted.
“Well, I hope you’ll enjoy yourself at the party. I know it hasn’t been that long since ...” She let the words trail off.
“I have to say that your positive outlook and kindness have helped me a great deal. Then there’s the encouraging visits from the pastor and my friends. Those have also helped. I’m sorry I’ve been so depleted of hope. I’m still wrestling with all that’s happened. Just when I think I have some sort of understanding, something comes to discourage me and causes confusion over the entire matter.
“The other day I was speaking to your father about salvation and the priceless gift God gave us in His Son. The words came easily, and I felt confident, but later that night, I awoke from a nightmare and was saturated in doubt and despair. I’ve never had a crisis of faith like this before, and I honestly don’t know what to do.”
“Have you talked to the pastor or even to one of your Christian friends?” she asked, her voice soft and not in the least condemning.
“I’m talking to you.”
Laura smiled. “I meant have you talked to one of the men you call a close friend?”
“Some, but not as I suppose I should. Look, I know the answers. I can quote the Bible from front to back. I can tell you about times of doubt in the lives of many biblical patriarchs. I can tell you the words Jesus had for those in despair. I know what I ought to know, but I can’t seem to ... take it into the deepest part of me ... past the hurt and anger. I need to talk it through with someone.”
They turned the corner and came back in view of thehouse. Laura pointed. “There are Edward and Charlie. Ask and it shall be given.”
“What do you mean?” Will looked at her oddly and then back down the street to where his two best friends were waiting.
“God knew what you needed and has sent your friends to help.”
“You were helping me just fine.”
She smiled again. “I’m hardly qualified for this one, Will. I can pray and will do so, but I have no insight for this situation. You see, when God allowed everything to be taken from me, I clung to Him all the more. The thought of putting Him from me—of blaming Him or of turning away—never entered my mind. My faith was all that got me through. Knowing that God was there and would never leave me was everything I longed for because everyone else had gone. You aren’t in a place where you want to receive that kind of reassurance.” She stopped as they reached the house and turned toward him.
“But from the stories I’ve heard them tell, I’m almost certain that either Edward or Charlie knows exactly how you feel. Talk to them. And when you get it figured out, I’d love to hear all about it. I am confident that you won’t walk away from God. I think you know that as well.”
Will couldn’t help but nod. Laura reached out and touched his arm with her gloved hand. “You are an amazing man. You’ve served God all your life and never doubted Him, never considered your life without Him at the helm. You aren’t truly doing that now either, but I know you’re hurting and need some help. I also know that this is a test of your faith. Sometimes God allows those moments so that our faith might grow. How else will we make it stronger for the more difficult times in life?”
She squeezed his arm through the heavy coat he wore, but to Will it felt like a branding iron. It was as if she knew exactly what his heart had been telling him for days, while his mind acted in protest like a small child. Even so, there was no condemnation.
Laura moved away without another word. Will heard her speak in a soft, welcoming manner to Edward and Charlie, and he moved forward to join them.
“I’ll have Mrs. Murphy put on some coffee and bring out refreshments. If you need anything at all, just have Will ring for it.” She went into the house while Will worked his way forward on the crutches.
“Laura seemed to think you were hoping we’d stop by,” Edward said.
“I guess I was.” Will shook his head. “Sometimes I think she knows me better than I know myself.”
“Uh-oh,” Charlie said, laughing. “Sounds like maybe you two have been together too much.”
“I’m not sure that’s possible,” Will replied, staring at the closed front door.
After an hour of talking to Edward and Charlie, Will knew that God had sent them to help him through the mire.
Will spoke of his mother and sister as he considered all that they’d discussed. “I know I will mourn their death for a long time to come, just as I am still mourning my father’s passing.”
“Of course you will,” Edward said, setting aside Will’s Bible. “I still mourn the loss of my loved ones. I still wonder what it might have been like had my boy lived. There are all sorts of things that come to mind from time to time.”
