All the labour of man is for his mouth
and yet the soul is not satisfied
Ecclesiastics 5 - 7
"Grace is that really you" exclaimed an elderly woman joining the queue for lunch at the busy hospital restaurant.
Grace turned around to receive the greeting but she didn't recognise the smartly dressed pensioner wearing expensive jewellery her hands flashing rather large diamond rings.
"It's Marion Brightmore, remember" the woman encouraged "1953 St. Joe's"
Grace was working hard to place the face.
"You haven't changed much" said Marion laughing. You don't remember me do you, have I changed so much, it's the wasp girl remember the assemblies in the yard at school?"
"Good heavens, yes" replied Grace "but still the face didn't fit with the memory of the blond bubbly classmate and partner in crime"
"Did you ever wonder how many of us got stung, they were all over the place crawling round sticky lips from the lunch break snacks or was it the fruit we healthy eaters carried. Didn't have a care in the world did we?"
The conversation was interrupted as the serving area was now in sight. Carrying fully loaded trays they sourced a free table. Marion placed her carrier bags around her chair and settled down.
"How's everything in your world" she enquired her manner that of a patronising C.E.O. about to send half her staff down the road to the local Job Centre.
"Fine" replied Grace "realising her old class mate was not quite the person she remembered.
As the conversation unfolded she soon discovered Marion was a very wealthy woman with three divorces and a recently deceased husband. Marion on the other hand sensed her old school chum lived in a very different world in the suburbs of the city. According to the local press Grindleton was infamous for its drugs problem and far from the expensive commuter belt and Marion's rather splendid gated property.
"I manage" replied Grace "and thankfully my health has continued to improve but the shock of losing Bill seventeen years ago completely floored me. He was still young by today's standards. I am in a very small rented sheltered flat, thankful I have a roof over my head and food in the cupboard."
Marion stared at her old friend, her complexion was flawless and she wore a sky blue hooded fleece and jeans, hardly the wardrobe of someone in the money, and no one would even guess she was rapidly approaching eighty. She had an aura of contentment obviously enjoying every morsel of her rapidly disappearing lunch. Grace on the other hand realised Marion had just lost her fourth husband and expecting a display of raw emotion tactfully avoided any conversation in that direction.
"Well the funeral's out of the way" continued Marion "the rest is in the hands of the solicitor and I intend cruising for a while." She appeared totally unaffected by her loss, but very concerned about her own health, money markets and the "nit picking oligarchy" who seemed hell bent on starting a global war. Her recent health checks had revealed an abnormality but with a top flight private consultant on her case she seemed fairly positive it could be resolved. Her eldest daughter had recently left her husband and the two kids and disappeared into the blue yonder.
"No idea where she is and with whom, she always was secretive." Marion suggested "Bill is holding the fort at the moment and the grandkids are fine, of course I spoilt my kids, what did I expect.
Grace decided not to comment and switched the subject "you could be in the Middle East, count your blessings"
At this point Grace noticed a dark shadow cross Marion's face. "Oh don't give me that religious rubbish, I had enough of that at school. How long before some twisted joker starts World War 3 and that will be it. How can you be so calm and collected, do you want to lose everything. I have worked damn hard to get where I am"
"Marion" said Faith gently "there is so much suffering in the world, you obviously have everything you need, but God is in charge, not man or world leaders, vengeance is surely His and He will act in His time"
Marion's face flushed with irritation "Oh so we're a bible bashing freak now, are we"? she questioned.
Grace remained calm and unflustered "Marion I have nothing to lose and everything to gain. I don't fear death and destruction, I am going home. This world has no control over me"
Perhaps that statement and the serene expression on her face added fuel to the fire nevertheless she reached for Marion's hand. There was a sadness in her face and she saw a caged soul writhing in fear and torment. From the time the convent gates opened most hit the road running and the world and all its temptations closed around them. The woman had everything but she was in real danger of losing her eternal soul.
"It's not about denominational control, its really very basic stuff Marion"
Fear God and keep His commandments.
For this is man's all,
For God will bring every work into judgement,
Including every secret thing.
Whether good or evil.
Ecclesiastes 12 - (13-14)
"Your mother didn't call you Faith for nothing did she?" Marion replied sarcastically "and does this faith of yours help you in your situation?" she suggested considering just about every calamity had hit this particular advocate who in the eyes of the world was down and out.
"Don't know quite where I would be without it" Faith replied. "I have peace in the storm and His will be done. Prepared and ready to go. He has always provided my daily bread and He has taken care of me as He said He would. Did you lose your Saviour to the retreats, rosaries and Marian adoration in our birth church and where will you stand at the Judgement when God asks "why did you ignore the first commandment"
Exodus 20 - Thou shalt have no other Gods before me. You shall not bow down to them or serve them. That's the potted version" said Faith lightening the conversation.
Marion appeared to fumble with her handbag "Haven't had time for all that, been far too busy. Now where did I put the keys to the Mercedes, I am getting quite forgetful these days."
"Can I drop you anywhere" she enquired anxiously gathering her shopping bags and heading for the exit. Faith was making her feel uneasy time to move.
"I'm fine" said Faith "the bus stop is just across the road and will take me right to my flat. Why don't you drop in for a coffee sometime. Just phone first although I don't go out much these days other than to shop or health check appointments."
Marion seemed uneasy. She didn't fancy parking her car in that sort of area or visiting on a dark night but neither did she want to offend Faith.
"When I have some free time in an afternoon I'll pop round" she replied.
Faith stretched out her hand "here's my address and phone number. I have lovely neighbours, salt of the earth, we look out for each other but then that's what the Lord told us to do. It would be a much better world if we loved our neighbour as ourselves, but didn't Jesus say that.?"
"Right, I'm off" said Marion turning the key in the ignition and releasing her hand brake. Bye"
As she disappeared into the distance Faith prayed out loud "Lord send her back to me. Help me to reach her before its too late. I know it won't happen unless the Father draws her to you. Can you help here."
Weeks passed before Faith's phone sounded in the hallway.
"Hi Faith, its Marion I will be in your area this afternoon, is it alright if I drop in for a cuppa."
"Of course it is Marion I look forward to seeing you again" said Faith "what are you doing in my neck of the woods."
"Back to the hospital again, presuming the consultant is on time with his appointments see you around three" and with that the phone went dead.
Marion drove out of the hospital car park and somehow managed to reach the small block of sheltered flats. Two young teenagers eyed her up as she got out of the car and the thought crossed her mind that perhaps they might break into her car after, all the devil makes work for idle hands, now exactly where did that prompt come from she asked herself.
Faith opened the door to her little home. Marion noticed it was simple and clean and with just a few treasured possessions scattered around it certainly didn't amount to much.
"I hope my car is safe out there" she commented "there are two lads hanging around, why aren't they in school at their age"
"It's half term" said Faith laughing "Ben and Ian are more likely to be keeping an eye out for trouble than making it. Nice lads. They don't have all the gear other kids have but they certainly know right from wrong and besides they are in my church and they take it very seriously. Their Nan is just down the corridor and nothing escapes her eagle eye."
The atmosphere in Faith's flat was so peaceful and Marion was just glad to rest for a while before her journey home. "Been thinking about what you said last time we met Faith. I've had quite a colourful life, done things I'm not particularly proud of as long as I got what I wanted and somehow I feel so empty. I look at you and wonder how you can be so happy with so little."
"Marion" said Faith earnestly "look at me. I have not always had this peace and I have done things I am not proud of. I ran from God for many years - 30 to be precise. I taught my kids right from wrong and told them if I didn't catch them doing something wrong, God certainly would because He sees every action. Nevertheless I ran into the wasteland as a direct result of my mother's wrath when I fell madly in love with and married an atheist. The love I felt for Bill was overwhelming, for the first time in my life I realised someone found me beautiful and desirable and there was no antidote for that. This love was all consuming and I would have walked through hell for him, or lived in a shed. Initially the road was smooth and the grass was green but storm clouds threatened and finally I watched the system grind him into his grave. We lost everything in the process. He was a good honest man but when he stood against injustice his card was marked.
They say the future is veiled and its a good thing because I certainly didn't expect to lose the man I had shared my life with for 40 years in just six days, but that's what happened. Fortunately at the time I was and remain a born again christian and the Lord sustained me through the grief. He carried me through the empty days and lonely nights. He is a forgiving and merciful God. I certainly don't deserve heaven when I compare my life with men and women who sacrifice their lives daily on the front line serving the victims of all the conflicts and unholy wars that those in power inflict on the innocents, they deserve their crown. I will be happy just to be a "door keeper" in the house of the Lord. It's enough that I am forgiven and restored.
The painted face stared back at Grace. "But don't you wish you lived in a better place, had designer clothes and holidays in the sun. I will be heading off to Spain for the winter, I have a house overlooking the sea. Can't stand the English winters."
"No" replied Faith "my place is here. The people I live with haven't had the breaks in this life. Some have fallen through the net and live on benefits, but this is nothing compared to the third world.
They help each other and lift their brother when he falls. One day I will stand before God and will have to plead guilty to failing to keep His commandments but at least I tried."
The doorbell rang and Faith found the two boys standing outside. "Hi Faith, could you please come and see my Nan, she's not feeling very well. She says she fainted and she has a large bump on her head.
"Sorry Marion" said Faith "I have to go and help, can you see yourself out and I'll take my key. We'll get together again soon" and with that she disappeared down the corridor.
Marion's car was still in the same place. The two lads grinned as she walked across the grass to the roadway. Faith was right, that grin seemed to say "we were watching your car Mrs its okay"
The automatic gates swung open and closed behind her as Marion drove down the driveway to her home. The house was cold and empty. She had every conceivable luxury but something was missing she was alone, miserable and unhappy. Possessions did not fill the huge empty space inside her and she wanted what Faith had, and why was it every time she sat down to eat a news report on the t.v. focused on children abandoned and starving and in desperate poverty. Marion's focus had always been Marion and she knew that had to change.
She was spiritually bankrupt and needed a Saviour. She needed Faith's Jesus. Perhaps it was time to take her hands off the wheel and let Him lead the way. Time to use all that wealth making a difference - after all - there are no pockets in shrouds. She was determined to make her last years the best years.
The next time she visited Faith she was ecstatic as she recalled an experience she could not understand or explain away. Where there was once darkness her eyes shone with that special light only children of God recognise. No doubt she would encounter trials and the road ahead would not be easy but she had already started to make a difference and use her wealth to bless others.
Faith thanked the Lord that night for saving her friend and promised to encourage her throughout her christian walk after all that's what friends are for and she didn't forget who it was who carried her through each and every day. Todah Adonai.
Keep sound wisdom and discretion,
So they will be life to you soul,
And grace to your neck.
Then you will walk safely in your way,
And your foot will not stumble.
Proverbs 3 - (21-23)
SHALOM
You-tube: Shannon Wexelberg - You Carry Me.
