Evelyn's Husband

For several years Evelyn painfully watched her husband John fade away with a terminal illness. It was a battle every day just to face the hopeless situation, and Evelyn longed for the days when they were younger and could "do things".

During reflective moments, Evelyn smiled as she recalled the "good ol' days"--like when they laughed and danced all night together. She attempted to recapture those memories by singing their favorite old song, "I Love You" (recorded by Bing Crosby, written by Cole Porter, 1944) to John at the hospice.

I love you, hums the April breeze.
I love you, echo the hills.
I love you, the golden dawn agrees
As once more she sees daffodils

It's spring again and birds on the wing again
Start to sing again the old melody.
I love you, that's the song of songs
And it all belongs to you and me.

It's spring again and birds on the wing again
Start to sing again the old melody.
I love you, that's the song of songs
And it all belongs to you and me.

Yet, seeing the inevitable day approaching, Evelyn began to wonder in her heart if she should consider finding a new mate.

She did not want to be alone.

Within a few short days, Evelyn pondered the idea all the time. The idea grew into obssessive thoughts and actions--

She even continually prayed about it.

One day at breakfast time in the cafeteria--when John was asleep--Evelyn brought up the idea to her daughter Sandra.

"Sandie, I'm thinking about getting married again."

"What? Mom I can't believe you said that. Dad's not even gone yet!"

She meekly agreed with Sandra, but still privately plotted.

But--Evelyn's secret quest to replace her dying husband was interrupted by the reality of preparing for the funeral. And, later she was "distracted" by going through the funeral itself.

But Evelyn still focused on the idea every spare moment she had--especially at the burial ceremony.

She even smiled at the thought.

About a week after the memorial service--it happened to be Thanksgiving Day--Evelyn's precious granddaughter Emily handed her a religious Thanksgiving card. There was a poem in the card, neatly hand-written on a separate piece of gold-colored paper.

Evelyn knew Emily could write...but this poem moved her...
deeply.


Thanksgiving Mourning

I didn't sleep well at all--I was awake most of the night--
I guess I finally passed out...but something wasn't right...
Dawn's mourning light poured through the window onto my face:
Suddenly I gasped and reached for my spouse, wide awake

Who? What gives? Where am I? I was temporarily confused--
Then I suddenly remembered I was all alone, without you:
Vivid flashes of the Memorial Service overwhelmed me then;
Tears flowed on my pillow as I missed you again, and again

It was a Thanksgiving Mourning time as I wept on my bed--
I remembered your laugh and all of the good times we had--
"Oh love, I miss you so much it hurts so deep, so deep..."
I cried until I could cry no more and fell back to sleep

When I woke up again, I felt the peace of God settle my soul:
I whispered "Thank You Jesus" in the quiet room, just thankful.


In tears, Evelyn realized the poem was a message from God--an answer to her prayers--not the way she was thinking, but the way He was thinking. The Lord was telling her to be thankful for whom she had right there at the Thanksgiving table, rather than chase and choose someone she didn't have.

It was a gentle course correction.

Instantly, the Holy Spirit brought back to Evelyn's memory some scriptures she recently read:

“Fear not; you will no longer live in shame.
Don’t be afraid; there is no more disgrace for you.
You will no longer remember the shame of your youth
and the sorrows of widowhood.
For your Creator will be your husband;
the Lord of Heaven’s Armies is his name!
He is your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel,
the God of all the earth.
For the Lord has called you back from your grief—
as though you were a young wife abandoned by her husband,”
says your God. Isaiah 54:4-6 (NLT)

She hugged Emily. "Thank you, Emily. Thank you. You have no idea what this means to me. I love you so much." And then Evelyn added, joyfully crying, "Thank You Jesus."

"I love you Grandma."

--bro. tim pickl
Saturday January 12, 2008 A.D.

Also posted on FaithWriters --check it out --
   http://www.faithwriters.com/wc-article-level2.php?id=20543

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