by E. N. Joy
Eleanor looked into her daughter’s eyes. “You make it look so easy.”
Lorain hugged her mother. “And it is easy, Mom. Some Christians make it seem as though trying to stay saved, trying to get and stay healed, trying to get and stay delivered is hard work. But it’s not. It’s reasonable. God would never ask His people to do anything that wasn’t reasonable; anything that He knew we couldn’t do. All we have to do is make a conscious decision to say ‘yes’ to God and mean it. To want to be and stay saved; to want to be and stay healed; to want to be and stay delivered. Don’t try to stay saved, just do it. Just stay saved. Just want it. And I wanted it!” Lorain began to shout. “My God, I wanted it. Hallelujah.”
Eleanor began to watch her daughter dance in the spirit right there. And Eleanor swore she could feel the ground shake beneath her feet.
“Glory!” Lorain shouted. “You did it for me, God! Do it for my mother in the name of Jesus. I send up this plea on my mother’s behalf, O God. Halleluiah!”
“Yes, Lord,” Eleanor mumbled. Then again,
“Yes, Lord,” she roared. And before she knew it, her feet were dancing too. “I want it, Lord. O God, I want it.”
And the two gave new meaning to Carole King’s song that went, “I feel the Earth move under my feet.”
The Earth was moving under their feet. Mountains were moving. Their shouts, the praise, the worship that followed. The devil wanted no part of it and had to flee. An hour later, Lorain and Eleanor were helping each other off the living-room floor from where the two had lay prostrate, communing with God.
It was something they had never encountered before. It was the best mother-daughter experience they’d ever shared in their lives. One they’d never forget.
“I feel born-again,” Eleanor confessed. “Is this real?” she asked her daughter. “Is this feeling real? Can God really do that? Change a person instantaneously? Change their heart?”
With tears of joy flowing down her face, Lorain replied. “Yes, He can, Mom. God can do anything, and He just did.”
Chapter Forty-one
“Pastor, I don’t understand why you yourself can’t continue to counsel us,” Paige said as she sat in the New Day Temple of Faith’s pastor’s office. She’d shown up for her individual counseling session. Blake had been there for his session earlier that day on his lunch break.
“Like I told Brother Blake, I will still continue to provide the two of you general marital counseling, but I believe you both also need domestic violence counseling as well,” the pastor replied.
“But I felt just fine speaking to you about . . .” Paige hated saying the words. She hated even thinking that she’d almost been a victim of domestic violence herself. “Almost” was her own wording. “. . . domestic violence. When you asked me how my family generally handles anger, I answered without hesitation. When you asked me if there was ever any domestic abuse in my home growing up, I answered honestly; there wasn’t. Neither Blake nor I have been dishonest with you, Pastor.”
The pastor gave Paige a discerning look.
“Okay, so at first I didn’t just outright tell you that I hadn’t really slammed my hand in anything, and that it wasn’t that guard at the jail who landed my arm in a sling. But I eventually told you the truth, Pastor.” Paige was becoming emotional. “I promise I won’t lie ever again. Just help us. Please help us, Pastor. I know with just a couple more counseling sessions we’ll be as good as new. Just these past few days, ever since Blake’s mom left the picture again, things have been great. And he never actually hit me . . .”
“Sister Paige,” Pastor managed to get those words in, “I’m not abandoning you. The church is not abandoning you. Please don’t think that. It’s just that, and I hate to say it, but the church does not have procedures in place to address domestic violence. And even so, I’m still just one person, and no one person has all the right answers. But now Sister Nita and I are working on finding as many answers, solutions, and resources possible.” Pastor handed Paige a brochure from off the desk.
“Columbus Coalition Against Family Violence?” Paige read the front of the brochure out loud.
“Yes, it’s an agency Sister Nita sought out in Columbus. The wife of the man who owns Victoria’s Secret is the founder.”
Paige just nodded, still not understanding why her pastor was sending her and Blake to someone else for counseling.
“I’m going to include teachings about domestic violence in my premarital counseling sessions from now on,” Pastor told Paige. “And you know what? I’m going to start preaching about it from the pulpit. It should not have taken this situation to open my eyes and to realize that domestic violence is not just a problem; it’s our problem. It’s something the church needs to address. We have protocol for how to court first-time visitors and keep them coming back; how to increase membership; but we didn’t even have something in place to help members in our church who are being abused.”
“There’s others?” Paige was surprised. “Here at New Day?”
“Perhaps. Sister Paige, there are millions of women going through what you are going through. But even so, whether those women are right here at New Day doesn’t matter, because even if there was just one, then we need to be prepared to save just that one.” Pastor smiled at Paige, letting her know that for now, she was the one that New Day wanted to help save.
Paige was starting to realize that Pastor wasn’t just kicking her and Blake to the curb; Pastor really was trying to tap into every resource possible to help them . . . and perhaps those after them. “Thank you, Pastor. Thank you for caring. And Sister Nita . . . God bless her.”
“Yes, she is going to be a big part of the changes and new things regarding domestic violence here at the church. She’s already surfed the Web and found a site called www.swatcministry.com. SWATC stands for Sheltered Women and Their Children. They have a link on the site to assist others who want to start a SWATC ministry at their own church. Sister Nita is looking into it and has agreed to oversee a SWATC ministry here at New Day. Maybe eventually you can assist her.”
“Yeah, maybe.” Paige smiled and nodded. “Well, I guess I better get going. I’d just gotten off work before I came to see you. I need to go to the grocery store. Flo is off today, so I have to cook. I think I’ll make Blake’s favorite. I want to try to do everything I can to keep him happy, to do my part as a wife.”
“That’s fine, Sister Paige, but don’t feel like you have to be perfect. Don’t feel as though there was anything imperfect about you that might have caused Blake to act the way he did. All blame rests on Blake. And that’s why I want you two to seek a domestic violence counselor. I’m not saying you have to. It’s solely your decision. I’m not here to control your choices, but I do want you to know that you have choices.”
“I understand, Pastor,” Paige stated. And now, she really did understand.
“I don’t want you jumping back into the groove of things prematurely without considering all your choices and options. And they are choices for you and you alone to make.”
“But what about the Bible verse that says the husband is the head?” Paige asked. “And all the other scriptures, like Ephesians, chapter five, versus twenty-two to twenty-three?”
“I understand the scripture in Ephesians states that wives should be subject to their husbands as to the Lord. For the husband is the head of the wife as Christ is the head of the church, his body, and is himself its Savior.”
The pastor paused, and then continued. “That scripture was not created to prescribe unquestioning obedience of a wife to her husband. But you know what I interpret the scripture as saying? It’s telling the wife and the husband that their marriage should be based on Christ’s relationship to the church. That relationship was sacrificial love and service, not intimidation and abuse.”
Paige took in Pastor’s words. She’d had to admit that just last night, she’d found scripture after scripture describing why she should stay in her marriage with Blake
without ever even considering the option of leaving him if he continued to put his hands on her. And now Pastor had found scriptures stating why Blake’s treatment of her wasn’t right. It was at that moment that Paige decided that she didn’t have to over think things, because she was going to take Pastor’s advice and seek domestic violence counseling, but that was if, and only if, Blake was up to it.
Lord, let him be up to it.
“I understand what Pastor is suggesting,” Blake stated as he and Paige prepared for bed. Paige lay in the bed while Blake slipped on his pajamas. “But I honestly don’t feel we need to go to any special type of counseling. Besides, that would be labeling us—labeling me. What would people think if they found out I was going to a counselor that specialized in domestic abuse? I’d make the cover of a magazine for totally different reasons, that’s for sure.”
“I don’t care what people think,” Paige was quick to say. “All I care about is us being in a healthy, long lasting marriage.”
“And we will be.” Blake made his way over to the bed. “I mean, we are. Don’t you agree? Now that the lawsuit is over and done with and that woman is out of my life,” Blake stated, referring to his mother, “my stress level is way down. I’m working on building back up our nest egg. Life is going to be better, sweetheart. I’m going to be better, and our marriage is going to be better.”
Before Paige could continue her fight for domestic abuse counseling, the kisses Blake began planting on her distracted her mind. Before she could even continue her efforts in convincing Blake that they should take Pastor’s advice, he’d pleased her in ways that probably were a sin for even a married couple. But it made her feel good, happy. It made her feel better about, afterward, agreeing with Blake that they really didn’t need counseling at all, not even from their pastor. That this was something they could work through on their own.
But after turning out the lights and bidding their evening farewells until morning, something inside Paige began nudging her mind. Yeah, maybe Blake was right. Maybe life was going to be better. Maybe Blake was going to be better. Maybe even their marriage would be better. But would Paige be better? More importantly, would she be better off . . .
She shook the negative thoughts away, not even wanting to think about living her life without Blake; not after all they’d been through and all she’d fought for. Paige closed her eyes and fell asleep knowing that deep in her soul, eventually things would get better. In the back of her mind, though, she couldn’t help but question that if before things got better, would they get worse.
Chapter Forty-two
Lorain was surprised to find Unique sitting in a chair outside Pastor’s office. “Hey,” she greeted.
Unique stood, equally as shocked to see Lorain entering the doorway. “Hey, yourself.” Unique began to grow a little nervous. Usually whenever Pastor had arranged for both women to meet at the same time it was because each had a complaint about the other. Typically it was a complaint regarding the Singles Ministry. But with the meeting before last being cancelled because Lorain was a no-show, and neither woman showing up at the last meeting due to all the drama going on in their lives, not much had been going on to complain about. So Unique’s mind began to wonder about what Lorain could have possibly told Pastor about her.
“You here to see Pastor?” Lorain asked.
“Uhh, yes, but the secretary is in there with Pastor now,” Unique replied. She swallowed hard, as if she’d been eating a tennis ball and was forcing down the last chunk.
Detecting her tenseness, Lorain said, “Don’t worry, I didn’t tell Pastor anything about you being my daughter.”
Unique let out a sigh of relief, but then another thought popped into her mind as her eyes bulged.
“And don’t worry,” Lorain smiled. “I didn’t tell Pastor about the baby either.”
Unique closed her eyes, exhaled deeply, then sat back down.
“Why so worried?” Lorain asked. “I told you that no one would know a thing until you were ready,” Lorain reminded her. “You do trust me, don’t you? You do know that I would never betray your wishes. I know how hard this is for you, and I don’t want to make it any harder.” Lorain grabbed Unique’s hands. “I do want you to know, though, that I can’t wait for the world to know that you are my baby girl. I can’t wait to tell the world that my baby girl is alive.” Lorain looked down. “I know in doing so, that my testimony is going to have to come along with it.”
“You don’t mind telling your story?” Unique asked.
“If I don’t tell my story, then how’s God going to get the glory? And you know us—me and you.” Lorain’s eyes lit up. “My grandbabies.” She then pointed at Unique’s stomach. “My baby.” She put her hand over her mouth to hold back the tears, forgetting the point she was about to make. “God is awesome.”
Unique looked down at her belly. “Yeah, He is.” She then looked up at Lorain with excitement. “And just think, if it’s a girl it would be like you getting to raise me after all . . . a piece of me anyway, only through my baby instead.”
“I know,” Lorain agreed.
“Once she gets old enough though,” Unique reminded Lorain, “once I’ve got my own place, my own car and a career, we’ll revisit the idea of perhaps telling her the truth someday, right? And no matter what, she can still come stay with me and the boys sometimes, right?”
“Yes, just like we agreed. Like I said before and like I’m going to keep on saying, you can trust me.”
Unique released the remainder of her tension by gently squeezing Lorain’s hands. “I know I can trust you. And I do trust you . . . Mom.” Unique barely knew where that had come from. Even though late at night while lying in bed she’d been practicing out loud calling Lorain, “Mom,” she just had no idea she’d actually say it to her so soon.
For Lorain, it couldn’t have been any sooner as she pulled Unique close to her and hugged her.
“Well, isn’t this a sight for sore eyes?”
The pastor’s voice caught Unique’s and Lorain’s attention. They quickly released each other, and then stood.
“Good evening, Pastor.” Lorain was the first to speak, then Unique.
“Good evening, ladies,” Pastor replied. “Thanks for coming. Sorry I’m running a little behind schedule, but there were a couple of calendar issues I needed to clear up with my—”
“Ladies.” The church secretary came from behind the pastor and greeted Lorain and Unique. Lorain thought she detected a hint of nervousness in the secretary’s voice, but figured it was just a rushed spirit.
“Hello,” the women greeted her.
“I didn’t mean to hold Pastor so long. But Pastor is all yours now.” The secretary squeezed through everyone and headed to her office. “See you all in Bible Study.”
After the secretary disappeared behind her own office door, Unique and Lorain entered the pastor’s office.
“Have a seat, ladies,” Pastor ordered. And after opening in prayer, Pastor got right to the point. “So I hear the Singles Ministry hasn’t met in a couple of months.” Pastor looked from Lorain to Unique. “Does anyone mind telling me what’s been going on?”
Unique and Lorain looked at each other. Neither spoke.
“Well, don’t you both go speaking at once,” the pastor joked.
“You see, Pastor,” Lorain started, “there’s just been so much going on in the last two months that you wouldn’t believe it.”
“Try me.”
Unique and Lorain looked at each other once more. Again, neither spoke.
Lorain cleared her throat. “I’ve just experienced so much family drama that I honestly have to say, the Singles Ministry has been the last thing on my mind.” Lorain was ashamed to admit it, but that had been the truth.
“Yeah, same here,” Unique admitted.
Pastor sat and thought for a moment. “That’s odd, because from what I hear, you two have been spending quite a bit of time together. I guess I just assumed you were handlin
g Singles Ministry business. I mean, it wasn’t too long ago you two couldn’t stand to stay in the same room together for the sake of Christ, and now you’re best buddies. You were even hugging out there just a minute ago.”
Unique and Lorain looked at each other once again, then back at Pastor.
“You both seemed so eager to want to take on the role of leader and co-leader of the Singles Ministry. But I guess that happens a lot of times in ministry. Folks are excited and on fire for the Lord. They have visions and ideas, but then somewhere down the road, they eventually lose their passion and—”
“I haven’t lost my passion,” Lorain interrupted. “It’s just that, Pastor, there was so much going on, like I stated, stuff you wouldn’t believe.” Lorain looked at Unique and smiled. “Miracles even.”
Unique smiled back.
Pastor’s head was shaking from left to right. “I honestly think God gave Mother Doreen the vision to start the Singles Ministry. I just don’t think the people are ready to see the vision through.”
“I’m sorry to disappoint you, Pastor,” Lorain started, “and as leader I take full responsi—”
“Allow me to stop you right there,” Pastor said. “It’s not me you’re disappointing. It’s the members who showed up at a meeting where neither the leader nor co-leader were present. And more importantly, it’s God.”
Lorain hadn’t looked at it that way. For some reason she just thought God would understand. After all, He was the one setting up dominos, connecting dots, and helping her put together all these puzzle pieces in her life. Had He, on top of all that, expected her to continue on with the business of the Singles Ministry?
“I know you love the Lord, Sister Lorain.” Pastor then looked at Unique. “And you too, Sister Unique.” Pastor looked back at Lorain. “But you just said yourself that God has been performing miracles in your life. And I know that God continues loving us, blessing us, showing us favor, grace, and mercy whether we give Him anything back in return or not. But wouldn’t it be nice if we just did?”