Page 21 of Echoes of Eternity
Folding her arms, she went over and plopped on her bed without a word of response.
Emily proceeded over to her bed and sat down gently. “I can’t help if you don’t talk to me. Why were you video chatting with your grandma and crying?”
“I want to go home.”
Emily didn’t say a word. She just sat there. And she didn’t want to feel the same way, but deep down, she did. “I know, and so do I.”
Sitting up, her daughter’s expression brightened. “Then let’s go! We can just go back, can’t we?”
Shaking her head, Emily’s chin dipped. “No. We can’t leave.”
“But you obviously want to go back, Mom.”
Emily shook her head again. “It doesn’t matter. This is our home now, Elizabeth. It takes time and getting used to. We’ve only been here a little over a month. We can’t just give up.”
“But all the kids at school hate me and I don’t fit in with anyone.”
Smoothing a hand over her daughter’s soft brown hair, Emily tilted her head as she thought about the Jezebel-spirited teachers she worked with at the school. “Do you know who Jezebel is in the Bible?”
“Um. No. But I know that name isn’t good.”
“Well, she was a woman who was evil in the sight of God. She was controlling, manipulative, and desired to dominate and control everyone around her. She hated God, she hated men in authority, and she hated anyone who opposed her.”
“Sounds like all the girls at my school.”
“I’m not sharing this to have you pivot yourself against the girls at school.”
“Then why are you sharing it?”
“Be patient.” Emily continued. “Jezebel’s husband was Ahab. He was a passive man who tolerated Jezebel. Not a great example for us to follow, but also during that time, there was a man of God named Elijah.”
“I know him! I learned about him at church.”
“Yep. He was bold, assertive, and stood for God, but not without opposition from Jezebel. The point I’m trying to make is there will always be Jezebel-spirited people no matter where we go. That goes for California or here in our new home. We have to stand for what is right and keep pushing forward, even when it’s scary and there is opposition all around us.”
“It’s just so hard, Mom. I feel like nobody likes me, and I’m alone and scared. I bet Elijah never got scared.”
“Actually, he did.” Emily shook her head. “I just read this morning how he booked it and ran away from Jezebel. God took care of him and let him rest for a time. Sometimes, we need to have a period of rest and renewal. I think right now, our family just needs a little rest time. Let God restore you.”
“Is that what you need, Mom?”
Adjusting her position on the bed, she asked her daughter, “What do you mean?”
“Nothing. Never mind . . .”
Emily touched her shoulder, directing her daughter’s attention back to her. “What did you mean by that?”
She shrugged a shoulder. “You seem stressed and distant a lot lately. I’ve heard you crying in the laundry room a few times. I see you, Mom. I hear you.”
“Oh.” Her cheeks warmed. “I didn’t realize.”
Touching her hand, Elizabeth connected her gaze with her mother in that moment. “Call your mom. She misses you, and I’m sure you miss her too. I know talking to my mom always helps me.”
A smile began on her lips as she stood. Emily was about to leave when she looked back at her daughter. For the first time since Elizabeth was born, she felt a connection to her not like that of a daughter, but that of a friend. Right or wrong, she couldn’t help but like that feeling. “Thanks for the idea. I’ll give her a call.”
Walking into the kitchen of the Cedarwood Creek Grill near the end of the day, Ryan found his manager, Steven, yelling at his cook about an order being made wrong. Interjecting, Ryan pulled him into the walk-in to confront him.
“What’s going on with you lately, Steven? You blamed it on my dad, but it’s not loosening at all.”