“Voice?” Chris offered.
I nodded. “Exactly. I know we both want to honor God, and I’m not suggesting we do away with that. But maybe, just maybe, the answer isn’t in me moving out.” I licked my lips. Could I really suggest this?Breathe.
“Maybe we get married instead.”
Forty-Two
Married?
Hadn’t he had the same thoughts? But hadn’t he also wondered if it was too soon to propose and if he was actually ready?
Chris stared into Erykah’s beautiful eyes. “I’ll pray about it.”
“Oh good.” She let out a breath. “I was afraid you’d think the suggestion was out of left field or...”
He shook his head. “No. I’ve had similar thoughts but haven’t come to any conclusions yet.”
“Great minds?” She chuckled, then laid her head back down on his chest. “I don’t know if it’s the right answer. I don’t know if the idea is strictly because I don’t want to part from you, even if it’s temporary andone daywe get married.”
Hadn’t he contemplated the same thing? “I completely understand. Do you want to pray now?”
“Yes.” She sat up. “Want to hold hands?”
“Definitely.”
She placed her soft hands in his, and Chris bowed his head. He loved that she trusted him to pray and suggested it first.“Lord, we come to You today asking for Your divine wisdom and guidance. Please give us ears to hear, eyes to see, a heart that’s understanding, and a spirit that’s willing. We want to obey Your direction, whatever it may be.”
He paused, gathering his thoughts. “We love each other, Lord, and we know that’s a blessing from You for both of us. We’ve become a family and want to stay united not just for us, but for Cheye and Ash as well. What would You have us do? Are we jumping the gun?”
Chris really didn’t know which direction to go. He didn’t want to think he was at a fork in a road with only two choices. God was so good at straightening a path. On their own merits, people had chosen to marry for less than love and kids. On the flip side, couples had stayed together in a loveless marriage for kids. Chris needed to clear his mind of what others did and focus on what God wanted for them.
“God,” Erykah said quietly, reverently, “You’ve shown me You hear us and You answer prayers. All we’re asking is that You show us what the answer is in this situation. Please help our love for each other and our own desires not impede us from hearing You. And if You ask us to separate, please help us express to Cheyenne how that’s not a permanent solution but one that offers more time for all of us.”
“Amen,” Chris whispered.
“Amen.”
He opened his eyes. “Guess now we just wait.”
“Right.” She sighed. “How’s your leg feeling?”
“Much better. I feel foolish now thinking that pain was from the broken bone.”
“How were you supposed to know when no one told you what to watch for?” She huffed. “I should’ve done so and not depended on them to relay the correct information.”
“It’s okay.” He squeezed her. “I’m okay.”
“But you almost weren’t,” Erykah whispered, then cleared her throat. “Fortunately, God answered my prayer and healed you.”
“Is that when you decided He was real?” Chris couldn’t be happier that she’d developed a real relationship with Christ.
“He’s been showing me that He sees me in many different ways. It was actually a conversation with a coworker that tipped me over.” She smiled at him. “I felt a little naïve about saying the salvation prayer. So I kept quiet and just continued to do the work to understand Him. I feel like my past has a purpose now.”
“Yeah? In what way?” Chris rested his chin on top of her head.
He wanted to close his eyes and go to sleep. Holding her, listening to her talk, it all relaxed him. Being with Erykah allowed him to let his guard down and truly ...rest.
I get it now. Why You had to slow me down. I was letting life pass me by.
