The Blessing Seer

by Paula Mowery

  Mid-afternoon we realized we needed more sausage for sausage balls, so Griffey and Elianna headed to the grocery store while I stayed to finish the sugar cookies.

  The doorbell rang as I pulled a batch of cookies from the oven and set them on the trivet, but I paused before putting another filled cookie sheet in. I definitely didn’t want to burn a batch. I rushed to answer it, wondering who might be calling on us today. The door creaked open to reveal Marilee.

  I motioned her inside. “Marilee, hello, come in.” I gestured to the couch and moved the crumpled blanket where Elianna had been snuggling on a break in front of the TV earlier. She loved all the Christmas movies this time of year. As my eyes scanned the rest of the room, I was a little embarrassed and hoped she wouldn’t notice that I hadn’t started the cleaning stage yet.

  “Addy, I’m sorry to stop by unannounced.” She shivered a bit from the chilly wind she had escaped by coming inside.

  “No, no, sit down. How are you?”

  “Oh, Addy, I see something in you that I need.” She plopped on the couch and dropped her saggy denim purse to the floor. She turned toward me. “Will you tell me about Jesus and Heaven? I don’t think I have much longer.”

  Fear gripped my heart. My first thought was to put her off until Griffey returned. How could I lead her to the Lord? I was terrified. I might say the wrong thing. Then I heard a voice like a gentle breeze whisper, “Fear not.” I breathed a prayer for God to give me the words, and they spilled forth. I heard myself explain how God had sent His Son to die for Marilee’s sins, and she need only to ask for Him to come into her heart and life. Before I finished, Marilee fell to her knees right there beside the couch. I joined her. As we embraced, tears of joy cascaded down my cheeks. Griffey and Elianna found us in a huddled heap.

  “Ladies, everything all right?” Griffey’s concern spilled over into his voice.

  We released each other and turned to him.

  “We must look a sight!” Marilee said.

  I wiped at my tears all the while laughing. “Hon, this is Marilee.” I put my arm around her shoulders. “She just prayed for Jesus to come into her heart and life.” I could feel joy spring from deep inside bursting onto my face.

  Griffey’s smile lit his face. “That’s wonderful, Marilee.”

  “Reverend Townsend, can I tell you, you should be proud of Addy. She’s the real deal.”

  “Yeah, I think I’ll keep her.”

  ****

  Late Saturday evening Griffey, Elianna, and I were wrapping small smoked sausages with bacon. By this time our fatigue made everything funny.

  Elianna laughed and held up her latest wrapped sausage. “I just know I will be chased by these things tonight in my sleep. What a nightmare!” She chunked it in the pot. “It’s a good thing this only comes once a year, or I might need some therapy.”

  Finally, the last sausage was wrapped and placed in the crock pot.

  “We better get to bed. Church in the morning and open house in the afternoon—tomorrow will be busy for the pastor’s family,” Griffey said.

  “That’s OK. It’s worth it. I love the open house,” Elianna said.

  “Yeah, exhausting but fun. I’m glad Dr. Reeves closes for the week of Christmas. I don’t have to clean everything up tomorrow night. I can leave it until Monday.”

  “Yeah, right Mom. When that last person leaves, you have always cleaned up everything like a crazy person.”

  We all laughed, but she was right. I normally get a second wind, or maybe it is the sugar from snacking on cookies all evening. At any rate, the house is usually back in order before we go to bed on Sunday night.

  Elianna embraced me and held me for several minutes. “I love you, mom.”

  “Because I clean like a crazy person?”

  Elianna slid the filled crock pot into the refrigerator, and I wiped the table with a damp cloth. “Yes, but for more than that.” She closed the door and leaned on the kitchen counter, facing me. Her tone was quiet and sincere.

  “Good to know.”

  “Seriously, I never thanked you for encouraging me to go on that mission trip. I was actually surprised you would, since it was Africa and all.”

  “Elianna, I need to tell you why I encouraged you so strongly.”

  She gazed at me intently. “Why?”

  “I saw a vision of what would happen if you obeyed.”

  “A vision?” She leaned forward a little and cocked her head.

  “Yes, that morning at breakfast when I seemed to be daydreaming, I actually saw a vision of you standing at the bulletin board and then I saw the very picture you emailed me.”

  “Whoa.”

  I cracked up laughing as Elianna looked at me with brows raised.

  “Sorry, but that was your father’s exact reaction when I told him.”

  “Was mine the only vision?” She seemed to hover between concern and wonder.

  “Actually, no. I’ve had others—Dr. Reeves, Hope and Jimmy, Garrett Norton.”

  “Who knows?” She gave me a conspiratorial whisper.

  “Just you, your dad, and Emily.” I shrugged one shoulder.

  “Wow, Mom. I have to believe you.” Now she laughed a little. “You would have had to see a vision to encourage me to go to Africa. I knew God’s hand was in it but wow. What a way to be used by God!”

  I let out a deep sigh. “He’s definitely stretching me.”

  She grabbed a dish towel and swiped it across the countertop then turned back, leaning against the cabinets and crossed her arms. “Well, I’m beginning to learn that to do something significant for Him, He often requires a lot of stretching on our part.”

  We arrived early to the church the next morning. The decorating committee had outdone themselves on the décor this year. The trees and greenery in the sanctuary created a festive yet homey atmosphere. Soon people began to trickle in.

  I was straightening Griffey’s Christmas tie when Jimmy and Hope, with Jeremiah in tow, glided into his office. Griffey smiled at them.

  “Well, look at this good-looking family and here early!”

  “Preacher, Addy, we just couldn’t wait to tell you—Hope is pregnant.”

  Griffey gave me a quick glance. I grinned and winked. I think he nearly leapt in the air. He gave Jimmy a hearty pat on the back and gave Hope’s shoulders a squeeze.

  “Congratulations,” I said as I hugged both Hope and Jeremiah.

  Later, at the open house, I was pleased Halina had made it. It’s always a pleasure to welcome the congregation into my home, but Halina was special. Her struggle with cancer made it difficult for her to get out. The fact that she was here meant today must be a good day. Emily happened to be standing with me when Halina entered the front door.

  “Halina, it is so good to see you. How are you?” I hugged her.

  “I’m OK. Thought I’d stop by my preacher’s house for a snack.” She grinned.

  “We’ve got plenty. Come on in.”

  “Heard you couldn’t take your treatment Thursday,” Emily said.

  “Yes, my son was out of town and now they want me to come for treatment on Christmas Eve.” She walked toward the table where we’d set up trays and plates of finger foods.

  “Do you need a ride?” I said and offered her a clear plastic plate.

  “Oh, I don’t want to ruin anyone’s Christmas Eve.”

  “You won’t ruin anything. Addy and I would love to take you. Right Addy? Maybe we could sneak to lunch.” Emily gave a little wink.

  “Yeah Halina. Let’s do it.”

  “All right, thanks.” Her face registered surprise. She turned back toward the table, scanning it. “Now where are those bacon-wrapped sausages I’ve heard about?

  I turned and pointed to the crockpot.

  “Hey Addy, Emily!” Melodie Frazier hugged us both. “I should be shopping, but I couldn’t miss the open house.” She spoke over the background of a dozen different conversations interspersed with laughter.

&nbs
p; “Oh, Melodie! Are you as crazy as we are shopping this close to Christmas?” Emily reached over and grabbed a carrot stick as she asked.

  “Yes, I guess I am. I was just so busy that I’m just now finding time to finish my shopping.” She cleared her throat.

  “Melodie, you sound hoarse. Have you been ill?” I said.

  “Not really. I think I’ve worn my voice out.” She coughed.

  “We miss you in the church choir.”

  “I’ve been really busy with the community choir. I’m hoping for the lead in the community theater musical for spring. I would really like to do some professional singing.” She smiled widely and crossed her fingers dramatically. “I hope!”

  I heard Emily comment, but the dining room full of people faded, blocked out by a sudden vision.

  Melodie stood on the stage of a church singing about Jesus with earnest. When she finished, the congregation stood to their feet and applauded. The scene changed. Melodie stood behind a table signing CDs while person after person thanked her for her music ministry.

  I felt someone touch my arm. As I focused again on Melodie standing before me, I realized it was Emily who grabbed me. When I glanced at her, her expression hinted at the fact that she knew I had just experienced a vision. I trained my eyes on Melodie again, who was rattling away about the spring production of some play and hadn’t even noticed my less than normal behavior.

  “Melodie, have you ever thought about a Christian singing career?” I asked when she took a breath.

  “Well, yes, but I’ve always focused on a secular singing career.” She waved her hand flippantly.

  “Since God gave you this gift, He may bless you if you use it to glorify Him.”

  “That hasn’t been my goal. What I want to do doesn’t fit into a Christian singing career. I can be a secular performer and still be a Christian. I don’t have to limit myself.”

  “But, Melodie…”

  “Thanks, but look at the time…I gotta go. Merry Christmas.” She bolted, immediately lost in the crowd.

  “You had a vision, didn’t you?” Emily said.

  “Yes. That was an example of someone who won’t realize the blessing God has in store because she’s not obeying God’s call.”

  Emily looked in the direction Melodie had fled and then back to me.

  “Frustrating.” She nodded and munched another carrot.

  “And sad.”

  ****

  Thursday morning Emily waited in the back seat while I went to ring Halina’s doorbell. Halina opened the door.

  “I’m sorry. I was going to be watching for you so you wouldn’t have to get out. I’ve had trouble getting motivated this morning.” As she spoke she stepped onto the porch and turned to lock the door.

  “No big deal,” I said. The drive to the clinic was a short one, and Halina filled the time catching us up on her son’s new job. The conversation continued on into the office and until they called her back for her appointment.

  Emily and I sat in the waiting room in one of the teal cushioned chairs. The rest were empty. It seemed that few people came for treatments on Christmas Eve. Emily had her crossword puzzle book, and I had my novel. We had both settled in for a wait, when Halina emerged from the doorway she had entered only about thirty minutes before. Her face full of concern. I closed my book and stood.

  “What’s wrong, Halina?”

  “My blood counts are no good. I can’t take a treatment.” She shook her head and her shoulders drooped.

  “I’m sorry.” I put my hand on her shoulder.

  “No, I’m sorry I drug you two all the way down here.” She rolled her eyes.

  “You didn’t drag us. Don’t apologize. Anyway, we love an excuse to do lunch and whatever else we might get into,” Emily said wagging her eyebrows.

  “Well, at least I won’t be sick for Christmas tomorrow. Although, we didn’t make any plans.” She composed herself and gave a smile.

  “Why don’t you join us?” I tapped my chest with my fingertips.

  “We wouldn’t want to intrude. Christmas is for family.”

  “That’s why you wouldn’t be intruding— you are family.”

  “Thank you. I’ll tell Trey. What should we bring?”

  “Nothing. We always have way too much,” Emily said.

  “She’s right. Where to now?”

  “Do you like Chinese?” Halina said.

  Emily and I looked at each other and then back to Halina in a dramatic manner.

  “Do we like Chinese? Oh yeah!” Emily said.

  Halina directed me to the restaurant. It was buffet.

  “Ooo, Halina, good call. This looks good.” Emily rubbed her hands together.

  After we sat with our plates filled, I led a prayer which included thanking Him for blessing me with time with Halina. When I said amen, I looked up to find Halina swiping at her eyes.

  “Are you all right?” I said.

  “Yes, I’m sorry. I just can’t see how I could ever be a blessing to anyone. I feel more like a burden. Sometimes I wonder why God doesn’t take me home.”

  My heart sank. I couldn’t believe she would feel that way. The last thing I saw was Emily placing her arm around Halina’s shoulders.

  I experienced a vision, but I didn’t see Halina. First, I saw two women.

  “You know I wasn’t very strong in my faith, but Halina has been such a witness.”

  Then the scene switched to a young couple riding in a car.

  “Ya know honey, I’m not half as scared after your diagnosis because of Halina.”

  Again the scene changed to a small group of women.

  “Linda, we should ask Halina to come speak for our women’s conference. She is such a blessing.”

  “Addy, Addy!” Emily’s voice called to me.

  I believe the vignettes would have continued which was a definite testimonial to the effect Halina’s witness had on everyone she met and knew.

  “Halina, I want to encourage you. You have no idea how your faith has boosted others. Don’t lose heart.”

  Halina was visibly trying to blink back tears. I scooted closer, so I could put my arm around her shoulders and gave her a squeeze.

  “Thank you, Addy.” Her voice was low and full of emotion.

  9

  Christmas dawned cold yet with sunshine. Griffey, Elianna, and I shared a small breakfast. Then we opened gifts we had gotten for one another. Everyone else was due at one o’clock, so Griffey had to leave at eleven to pick up his dad at the nursing home.

  By one o’clock the house was buzzing. Emily’s family and Halina and her husband were as much family as Griffey’s father, Mitchell. Today we were thankful that Mitchell was having a good day. He remembered us all, which didn’t happen often.

  “Dad, would you pray for us?” Griffey said.

  The former pastor nodded and bowed his head.

  “Lord, You bless us beyond what we deserve. We know in our disobedience we often miss out on Your blessings.”

  I looked up and his eyes opened and met mine for a split second. He continued.

  “Help us in our weakness. Bless this house and all those gathered here today. In Jesus’s name, amen.”

  Sniffs resounded around the room. No one moved or spoke for a moment. I gestured to the food spread across the kitchen counter, holding up the stack of foam plates.

  “OK, everyone, line starts here and sit … wherever you like,” I said.

  A line formed and a low roar ensued from the various discussions. I stepped back and let my eyes wonder across the room looking at each person. Each one had blessed my life, and I silently thanked God for them. Lastly, my eyes rested on Mitchell sitting in his wheelchair. Through Mitchell, God had blessed me with Griffey. My father-in-law’s life was still a testimony, and even though many times he couldn’t remember our names, people remembered his.

  I saw him standing haloed in a bright light. He walked toward a silhouetted figure. When he drew near, I realized the fig
ure was Della, Griffey’s mom and Mitchell’s wife, who’d died five years ago. The two embraced and then walked arm in arm engulfed by the brilliance until they disappeared.

  I snapped back to the present, disturbed by the thought of the blessing my vision suggested. Could it be that his life of obedience was soon to be ultimately rewarded?

  The day was so enjoyable especially when Mitchell told funny stories about Griffey’s childhood. It warmed me to hear Mitchell and Griffey’s laughter ringing throughout the house. Mitchell’s rush of memory was the best gift of the day. He was still chattering when Griffey put him in the car headed back to the nursing home.

  When Griffey returned, I couldn’t bring myself to tell him about my vision. I wasn’t completely sure of its meaning, so I just kept it to myself.

  I think Griffey was snoring before his head hit the pillow. I fell asleep quickly myself until I was awakened by the phone ringing. Griffey jumped to his feet and sprinted to the next room. I heard him say hello. I glanced at the lighted alarm clock. It was two o’clock. As I sat up and switched on the lamp on my bedside table, a slight surge of panic ran through my body. No one called at two in the morning with good news. Even though we receive these calls sometimes, I’d never become accustomed to them.

  I heard the phone being set back on its base. Griffey came around the corner. I immediately noticed the tears streaming down his face.

  “Dad died in his sleep.”

  I covered my opened mouth with my hand. I knew my vision meant Mitchell was going to Heaven, but I didn’t think it would happen this soon. Griffey sat and reached for me. We clung to each other and rocked gently. Finally I spoke softly.

  “I had a vision today.”

  He pulled back and looked at me expectantly.

  “I saw him reunited with your mom.”

  Griffey’s mouth hinted at a smile.

  “That would be a blessing, wouldn’t it?”

  I nodded.

  “Get the light,” Griffey said.

  I turned off the lamp. We lay down, and he pulled me close. At some point we drifted off.

  ****

  Mitchell’s funeral would be Monday evening. I prayed in earnest for Griffey during the worship services on Sunday. I didn’t know how he could preach so boldly with the grief I knew he was experiencing. Sunday evening at midnight, I was nodding off as I sat in my recliner watching a local news update.