by Chris Fabry
Elizabeth leaned forward. “Then why did you want to get together?”
“Something’s different. Something’s changed with you. I can see it in your face, what you say when you call. It’s like something has come alive inside of you and is spilling out all over the place.”
Elizabeth smiled. “Have you thought more about my offer?”
Cynthia nodded. “I wasn’t sure at first, you know, about the God thing. I mean, I know this is important to you and is a big part of your turnaround . . .”
“It’s not just a part of it,” Elizabeth said. “It’s everything. I can’t explain the change in my life, my marriage, just the way I feel when I wake up in the morning—all of that is connected with the ‘God thing,’ as you put it.”
The server brought their salad and Cynthia took the olives and hot peppers. Elizabeth smiled. They’d always fought over food as kids and here they were all these years later with some of the same issues. Cynthia ate hungrily until the salad was gone and they ordered another bowl. Elizabeth had known her sister would enjoy the endless salad.
“What scares you about my offer?”
Cynthia wiped her mouth with the thick green napkin. “I don’t know. That you’ll push me into something I don’t want.”
Elizabeth nodded. “That’s a rational fear, especially with our history.”
“Or that you’ll hold this over me. You know, ‘Read the Bible and we’ll help you with your mortgage.’”
“I don’t ever want you to feel that way. There are no strings attached to this. The goal is just to read the Bible, ask good questions about God and our lives, and draw closer to Him. That’s my only agenda.”
“The other thing that scares me is that it’ll be like when we were kids. That you know everything and I’ll feel like I don’t know anything. I hated that.”
“Cynthia, if you want to know the truth, I think I’m going to learn some hard things about myself through this. This is not me lecturing you and trying to get you to win Girl Scout badges, trying to get on the good side of God. This is about both of us moving toward God and toward each other, toward the truth. And the fact that you’re being honest with me and saying some hard things right now tells me this is really going to be good. For both of us.”
“You think so?”
“I know it. I’ve met this incredible older woman who has taught me so much about prayer and the Bible. And all through the process I thought I was the one growing—but she was growing too. God was stretching her in ways I couldn’t know. So you’d be doing me a spiritual favor if you’d meet with me.”
Cynthia’s pasta came and Elizabeth ate her soup and salad. They talked and laughed like sisters who loved each other. They were different, they were miles apart in so many ways, but Elizabeth could feel them being drawn together.
Tony had everything ready by seven. He ate his dinner and cleaned up the kitchen—he knew what it would feel like for Elizabeth to walk in and see dirty dishes in the sink. No way was he going to let that happen. When he saw her headlights on the living room wall, he ran some hot water into a metal bucket she used as a decoration.
Elizabeth walked in wearing the outfit she’d worn to work—a stunning dress. Her hair still looked great. He could tell by the way she walked that she was exhausted.
“Hey, what are you doing?” she said.
“Hey,” Tony said softly.
“What’s going on?”
“I’ll tell you in a minute, okay? How was dinner?”
“It was good. Cynthia actually agreed to meet with me on a regular basis. We’re going to try Tuesday afternoons to start.”
“Did they forgive me for not helping them out?”
“Aww, yeah, I think so. You know they really appreciated the $500 we gave them, though. I told her we wanted to do more but we just couldn’t right now with the way things are tight with money. She understood. But we did skip dessert.”
Elizabeth’s voice seemed softer to him somehow. Maybe it was how tired she was. Maybe it was the result of a little less pressure on their money problems. Or perhaps she was really warming to him. She was trusting again—especially the way she’d thanked him earlier when he said it would be great for her to meet with Cynthia for dinner. She really seemed to appreciate his understanding.
“Well, listen, I’ve got something I need to tell you, okay?” Tony said. “Now I want you to think about it before you respond. All right?”
Elizabeth questioned with her eyes. “What is it?”
Tony smiled. “I had an interview today. And I got offered the job on the spot.”
Her face brightened. “To do what?”
“To be the new director at the community center.”
She glanced away and he could tell she was processing the news. It hit her out of the blue just like it had him the day before.
“Liz, we know this place so well. You know? I’m telling you, I can do this job.”
She thought a moment more. “You would be closer to home.”
“It’s only half the pay, but if we’re wise, I know we can make it.”
She got a look on her face that was as determined as he was to pull through all the mess and struggle. She drew closer to him and lowered her voice. “Listen to me. I would rather have a man chasing Jesus than a house full of stuff.”
It was exactly what Tony wanted to hear, what he needed to hear. He smiled and said, “Okay. All right then, I’ll accept it.” He squinted at her. “You know what? I’m kind of glad you didn’t have that dessert tonight.”
“Why?”
“You’ll see. Why don’t you just go to the couch.”
“What?”
“Go ahead. Go to the couch. I’ll be over there in a second. I’m right behind you.”
Elizabeth obeyed, though it was clear she had no idea what Tony had in mind, which thrilled him. She sat on the couch and Tony quickly retrieved the metal bucket filled with hot water and brought it to the living room.
“Where’s Danielle?” she said.
“She’s over at Jennifer’s house. They’re having a sleepover.”
He placed the bucket carefully at her feet.
“What is this?” she said.
Tony knelt and began to take off one of her sandals.
“No, no, no, Tony,” she protested. “Don’t touch my feet.”
“Hey, just roll with it, okay? All right, come on now.” He took off the sandal and put her foot in the water.
Elizabeth closed her eyes, enraptured. “Oh, my goodness, that feels so good.”
Tony returned to the refrigerator and came back with a concoction he had made from ice cream in the freezer, some whipped cream he bought at the store, and some caramel and chocolate he had squirreled away without Elizabeth seeing. He held a spoon in one hand and a glass bowl with the sundae, complete with a cherry on top, in the other and stood before her.
“Now it’s time you got what you deserve. This is for the woman . . . I don’t deserve. You go ahead and work on that and I am going to get started on that foot massage you’ve been asking for.”
Elizabeth took the bowl and spoon, in shock. She looked at the sundae like the golden goose had laid a nest full of eggs. Then she dipped the spoon into the topping and took a small taste. “Really? Are you really doing this for me?”
Tony hit the Play button on the stereo remote and her favorite song played. When he scooted closer to her feet, she protested again. “Tony, I don’t want you to smell my feet.”
“Baby, look. I told you, I got this.” He pulled out a white painter’s mask and held it up so she could see. “You need to trust me, okay?”
Elizabeth laughed as he put the mask over his mouth and nose, then pulled the elastic straps and snapped them against the back of his head.
“I’m ready to go,” he said, lifting his eyebrows.
He took the fragrant soap she loved and began to lather her feet, washing and massaging the stress and, he thought, all of the past away. Tony th
ought about the passage he had read at the men’s study that week with Michael and the others. Jesus had washed the feet of His disciples, kneeling before each of them and doing what a servant would do. That was what Tony was called to do as a husband—serve his wife, give himself fully for her. And if he did that, how could she resist such love?
Elizabeth took a bite of ice cream and Tony looked up to see her laughing but also a tear running down her cheek.
“What’s wrong?” he said, pulling the mask down.
“I’m eating my favorite dessert while my husband is rubbing my feet. There has got to be a God in heaven!”
He laughed with her and she sat back and relaxed, letting herself go. It was funny how he could feel her muscles loosening, like her spirit. And as he massaged, he spoke to her.
“Look, I know it’s going to take some time. And I don’t expect everything to be cleared up by one foot massage.”
“You talking about my feet or about us?”
He smiled. “I’m talking about everything. For richer, for poorer, stinky feet and all the questions we have about the future. You know, I was thinking the other day how hard it would be to move from here, if we can’t make it financially. And then I thought, if we have to sell, I know a pretty good Realtor.”
Elizabeth chuckled and took another bite of ice cream.
“I love you, Elizabeth Jordan. And you’re just going to have to spend the rest of your life letting me show you that.”
She leaned forward and kissed him, and he could taste the chocolate and whipped cream and caramel on her lips.
“Think I could have some of that sundae?” he said.
She held out a spoonful and then quickly ate it when he leaned forward. “You get back to the feet.” She took another bite. “That was pretty sneaky of you getting Danielle out of the house for the night. When did you come up with that idea?”
“I’ve been going through the Song of Solomon in my devotions,” he said. Then he winked and Elizabeth howled, then kissed him again.
Miss Clara
Clara held a pen in one hand as she picked up her Bible from the bed with the other. She let it fall open to a familiar passage in 2 Chronicles and read the words, knowing they were written in the Bible for the nation of Israel, but also knowing that God wanted to do the same for her and others today. She walked slowly into her darkened closet, praying the words she had memorized so long ago.
“‘If . . . My people who are called by My name humble themselves, pray and seek My face, and turn from their evil ways, then I will hear from heaven, forgive their sin, and heal their land.’”
She switched on the little light in the room and knelt by the wooden chair gingerly, her knees creaking and groaning from age. She had brought her pen to check off the last prayer request to be answered, the sale of her house. But she knew that God, who owned the cattle on a thousand hills, could do much more than that. Still, she thanked Him.
“You’ve done it again, Lord. You’ve done it again. You are good and You are mighty and You are merciful. And You keep taking care of me when I don’t deserve it. Praise You, Jesus. You are Lord.”
Like a prizefighter dancing around the ring, looking at some fierce enemy, she lifted her head, her eyes still tightly shut.
“Give me another one, Lord. Guide me to who You want me to help. Raise up more that will call on Your name. Raise up those that love You and seek You and trust You. Raise them up, Lord, raise them up!”
In her mind, she saw a family clasping hands at the dinner table to pray. A man on a tractor in the middle of his field. Two men with bowed heads praying in front of a world map.
“Lord, we need a generation of believers who are not ashamed of the gospel. We need an army of believers who hate to be lukewarm and will stand on Your Word above all else. Raise ’em up, Lord. Raise them up.”
Clara saw streams of young people moving toward a flagpole, encircling the area with eyes closed. Others were heading for a church in the distance, carrying young children.
“I pray for unity among those that love You. I pray that You’d open their eyes so that they can see Your truth. I pray for Your hand of protection and guidance.”
Clara thought of the police officers in her town and across the nation. Of the division between races and the struggles she had witnessed over the years.
“Raise up a generation, Lord, that will take light into this world. That will not compromise under pressure, that will not cower when others fall away. Raise them up, Lord, that they will proclaim that there is salvation in the name of Jesus Christ. Raise up warriors who will fight on their knees, who will worship You with their whole hearts. Lord, call us to battle, that we may proclaim You King of kings and Lord of lords!”
Clara pictured fathers praying over their newborn children. She pictured men and women in places of high power kneeling and praying for guidance. She thought of schoolteachers and business leaders and gas station attendants and mothers at PTA meetings. She thought of pastors and youth workers and missionaries and the faces all came together in her final words of petition.
“I pray these things with all my heart. . . . Raise them up, Lord, raise them up!”
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
Chris Fabry
Thanks to Alex and Stephen for allowing me to be part of the process of bringing this book to life. What a privilege. And to those who prayed for this project and those who will be moved to prayer. With a grateful heart.
Alex and Stephen Kendrick
Thank you to Chris Fabry for a job well done. It was a pleasure working with you! To the Tyndale team, you guys are a blessing. Thanks for believing in these stories. To our wives and children, we love you dearly. It’s time for a vacation! To our parents, Larry and Rhonwyn Kendrick, you’ve demonstrated over the years that daily prayer is an absolute priority. We can’t imagine life without your love, support, and prayers. You taught us to stand firm and fight with the right weapons. We love you! To our ministry team, a thank-you would never be enough. You’ve worked with us, prayed with us, and stood by us. We are so grateful! May God get the glory, and may the name of Jesus be lifted high. He is Lord!
ABOUT THE AUTHORS
Chris Fabry is a 1982 graduate of the W. Page Pitt School of Journalism at Marshall University and a native of West Virginia. He is heard on Moody Radio’s Chris Fabry Live!, Love Worth Finding, and Building Relationships with Dr. Gary Chapman. He and his wife, Andrea, are the parents of nine children. Chris has published more than seventy books for adults and children. His novels Dogwood, Almost Heaven, and Not in the Heart won Christy Awards, and Almost Heaven won the ECPA Christian Book Award for fiction.
You can visit his website at www.chrisfabry.com.
Alex Kendrick is an award-winning author gifted at telling stories of hope and redemption. He is best known as an actor, writer, and director of the hit films Fireproof, Courageous, and Facing the Giants and coauthor of the New York Times bestselling books The Love Dare, The Resolution for Men, Fireproof (the novel), and Courageous (the novel). Alex has received more than twenty awards for his work, including best screenplay, best production, and best feature film. In 2002, Alex helped found Sherwood Pictures and partnered with his brother Stephen to launch Kendrick Brothers Productions. He has been featured on FOX News, CNN, ABC World News Tonight, CBS Evening News, Time magazine, and the New York Times, among others. He is a graduate of Kennesaw State University and attended seminary before being ordained into ministry. Alex and his wife, Christina, live in Albany, Georgia, with their six children. They are active members of Sherwood Church.
Stephen Kendrick is a speaker, film producer, and author with a ministry passion for prayer and discipleship. He is a cowriter and producer of the hit movies Courageous, Facing the Giants, and Fireproof and cowriter of the New York Times bestsellers The Resolution for Men and The Love Dare. The Love Dare quickly became a number one New York Times bestseller and stayed on the list for more than two years. Stephen is an ordained minister and sp
eaks at conferences and men’s events. He attended seminary, received a communications degree from Kennesaw State University, and now serves on the board of the Fatherhood CoMission. He has been interviewed by Fox & Friends, CNN, the Washington Post, and ABC World News Tonight, among others. Stephen and his wife, Jill, live in Albany, Georgia, with their six children, where they are active members of Sherwood Church.
www.kendrickbrothers.com
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
What factors contribute to the breakdown in Elizabeth and Tony’s marriage? How does prayer turn it around? What applications could this have for your own relationships?
Early in the story, as she thinks about her relationship with Tony, Elizabeth concludes, “Maybe this was all she could hope for. Maybe this was as good as marriage got. Or life, for that matter.” Have you ever been tempted to resign yourself to a situation or a relationship that seems stuck? What did you do? What encouragement would you give Elizabeth or someone you know facing similar circumstances?
Miss Clara thinks of prayer as “talking and listening and being excited to spend time with someone who loves you.” How would you define prayer? In what ways does Clara’s description match your view of it?
When Miss Clara brings Elizabeth a lukewarm cup of coffee, it serves as an effective illustration of Elizabeth’s faith. Are you satisfied with how you would describe your own faith? (Hot, cold, or lukewarm?) What steps can you take to change things?
At the very moment Tony is about to make a decision that could destroy his marriage, he’s stopped by a bout of illness that coincides with Elizabeth’s prayers. Have you ever been surprised by an immediate answer to prayer? What happened?
After almost being robbed, Miss Clara tells the policeman taking her statement, “When you write that down, don’t you leave out Jesus. People are always leaving Jesus out. That’s one of the reasons we’re in the mess we’re in.” What do you think she means? Describe a time in your life or the life of someone you know when Jesus was left out.