|
Grace had always given in to Marley and had
been timid and afraid to speak up on her own behalf. But now she had
Donald with her and that gave her courage. She told Marley that even
though she would like to help with what ever she could, she was not
willing to give up her own plans to move back home and work with
her. Marley was in shock. Her little sister has never opposed
her and she couldn't believe this was happening. Back and forth they
went, first Marley trying to make Grace feel like her 'little sis' and
putting a guilt trip on her for not doing what she knew Mom and Dad would
want, then Grace telling her that she was not a child any more and could
not
be manipulated the way she used to be.
Late that night it ended up with them
parting in anger. Neither of them could give in or come to any kind
of compromise. Grace cried and cried that night. She prayed
for guidance. In the next room at the hotel, Donald was praying
too. He was praying for Grace to have peace and know what His
will was for this situation. He picked up the phone to tell her how
much he loved her and to say good night. When he heard her soft
little voice he could tell she'd been crying her heart out and he asked,
"Can I come into your room for a few minutes?" She said,
"Yes, I need you to hold me and help me to know everything will be
okay." They sat on the edge of her bed for a while and he held
her so tightly and told her that God would lead them and they'd know what
was the right thing to do." Finally she was calm enough that
she thought she could now sleep so he kissed her ever so gently and
whispered, "I love you Gracie, sleep well and I'll see you early in
the morning." With that he went back to his own room, not at
all sure that she was going to sleep at all. But hoped that she
would.
Grace tossed and turned most of the night
and was up very early, waiting for Donald to knock on her door or ring her
phone. It wasn't long until the phone rang and that sweet voice that
she loved so much said, "Good Morning my love." She just
melted at the sound of his voice. She was so in love with this
man. Nothing had ever made her even consider not being with him for
the rest of her life, until Marley. She was so torn. She didn't
want to just leave her sister to do all that work alone but she loved
Donald, and they had such big plans for their future. What should
she do?
Donald wanted to leave and find a good place
where they could settle down and find work, a place where they would want
to start their business and then get married. He told Grace that she would never be
able to break ties with Marley if she didn't do it now. Donald
sensed a bad spirit about Marley and he wanted nothing to do with
her. So they decided to tell Marley they were leaving and she'd
just have to find someone else to help her. Of course Marley used
her sweet as honey voice and told them it was fine, she understood
completely but asked if they would do her one favor before they left, would
they please just go to church Sun. morning and then they could leave. They
thought that was a reasonable request so agreed to it. Donald
had never heard her preach and it had been a long time since Grace had
heard her too so maybe she'd changed somehow in the last few years.
They'd go and then start out again on their quest to find a place they
felt like they could find work and begin saving for their future.
They had been at church only a few minutes
when they realized that it was all a scheme to get them to stay. The
first thing Sister Marley did was to welcome the congregation and then
went right into a long introduction of her little sister who was kind
enough to be there this morning, with her fiancé.
"Most of you remember our parents, and
the awful accident that took their lives when Grace was just a little
girl. I promised to be a mother to her when my mother was on her
death bed, and I've kept that promise. I've been a sister, a mother
and now a minister to her. You all remember Grace...
stand up Grace, you too Donald, this is my little sister and my future
brother-in-law, make them welcome! The applause was deafening.
Grace and Donald stood but felt more like sinking down under the pew.
What was Sister Marley up to now? Would she try to embarrass them
into staying and helping her?
Grace remembered that night long ago when
she gave her heart to the Lord and how Marley made her feel, how she
embarrassed her in front of the whole congregation and made her feel like
she was the biggest sinner in the world and how she lorded it over her
like it was she and not God who was forgiving her sins. It
all came back in a flash that made her feel sick to her stomach. She
just wanted to run and run and never stop running. But they sat
there and listened while Marley went on and on about how Grace and Donald
had decided to get married there in her church and become a part of the
church family. And how Grace would head up the campaign for funds
for the new church. She asked the congregation to be praying about
Donald finding a job right there in their little community. They
would be such an asset to the church and how wonderful to have her little
sister home again. "Just like having my daughter come home!"
By then Grace really was about to lose her
breakfast right there if she didn't get out of that place in a
hurry. She got up and left, looking for a bath room, with Donald
right behind her. He waited for her and when she came out she was
white and trembling. He could not believe how cruel a person
claiming to be a minister of God could be. There was no way he'd
allow Grace to be put through this kind of treatment again. He told
her, "Let's go now." They got into the car and started
driving, they didn't care where, they just had to get away from that awful
lady preacher with such a mean streak. Even if it was her
sister. She wanted no part in her life any more.
|