Page 40 of Echoes of Eternity
“People are misguided without the power of Jesus Christ actively in their heart. That’s just the truth.” She stood from the bench. The breeze outside pushed strands of hair across her face, causing her to slide it behind her ear. “You’re a remarkable and strong woman of God. You’ll get through this and come out stronger.”
“I’m not that strong, Sarah.”
“You are when you let God be God in your life. Look at how God has answered your prayer about Ryan. He’s interacting with the kids more. He asks how your day is going.”
Emily laughed as she looked at her. “He’s bedridden.”
“It doesn’t matter. God is using the circumstance, and He will continue using the events in your life. The good ones, sure, but especially the difficult ones.”
“You’re right. I’m just scared.”
“Of what?” She folded her arms and tilted her head as she waited for Emily to answer.
“Failing. Failing at being a good mom, a good wife, a good teacher. I just don’t want anything bad to happen, and I feel like I’m one bad thing away from losing my mind entirely.”
“Maybe you are.” Sarah sat back down and turned toward her. “For me? God had to break me down to nothing and get me to the end of myself before He could really do the work He needed to do in my heart and life. I’m not saying that is what is going on for you, but it could be, Emily. I hope this summer is good for you, but I also pray God uses it to teach you what He has for you.”
“Thank you.”
While pain still coursed through his body, he couldn’t help but be thankful to God for finally being home. Walking out of the bathroom, he paused in the hallway and looked at the pictures of his family that hung in frames on the wall. They were snapshots of the moments of his life. Seeing himself in one of the pictures, he couldn’t help but notice the smile on his face. It was large and vibrant. It was real. Then he looked at the most recent picture of him on the wall. He was with his kids in the pool at the hotel on the move up to Cedarwood Creek. Again, he was smiling, but something was different. He looked sad even though he had a smile.
Smoothing his free hand, not in a sling, over his face, Ryan’s heart ached. Even though the last two months had revealed a lot of not so great things about his father, it didn’t stop him from missing his dad. It didn’t stop him from loving him, either.
He let a sigh escape his lips and then turned and traveled out into the kitchen area.
His mother, Veronica, was putting on a pot of tea as he entered.
Alerted by his presence, she turned toward him with a half-smile. “Hello, my son. How are you?”
“In pain.”
Lifting an eyebrow, she looked at his sling. “I bet.”
As he reached for a cup in the cupboard, he felt a wave hit his shoulder, causing him to drop his arm, even though it was his good arm.
His mother walked over and grabbed the cup for him.
“Thank you.”
As he tapped out a few of the painkillers into his hand, he noticed her eyes lingering. Taking a drink of his water to wash the pills down, he set the cup on the counter and turned toward her. “What’s on your mind?”
“How mad would you be if I weren’t around here anymore, Ryan?”
Furrowing his eyebrows, he shook his head. “I don’t follow.”
“Well . . .” She peered out into the living room and then back at Ryan. She adjusted her footing, an uneasiness about her evident.
“Come on. Out with it, Mother.”
“I’m moving to Buffalo to live with my sister, Carol.”
Leaning against the counter, Ryan nodded slowly. “You’re leaving?”
“This house is full of memories with your father, and I’m just . . . done.”
Ryan tilted his head the other way. “Maybe take a minute to think about it.”
“Actually, I’ve had this plan for a while. I was going to tell you the day of the accident, but I held off since you were under enough stress.” She came closer, looking into both his eyes. “I appreciate everything you’ve done for me, Ryan. And for your father. He’d be proud of the man you are today.”