The Phone Call

A surprise phone call came late into the evening. Peter Myers, the mutual friend and accountant of both Mary and her ex-husband phoned. He had been talking to her “ex” who it seems wanted to send Mary some money; 10,000 dollars to be exact. Mary had initially jumped for joy and was ecstatic when Peter called. However, afterwards she began to think of it. Mary realized no amount of money could ever pay her back for the pain and suffering of that marriage. The thoughts tossed her soul around the world in its memories of the past. Like desert tumbleweed whirling in the wind Mary had been moved back and forth landing isolated in the place she started. Joy eclipsed by grief.
Oh they could use the money, Mary knew that. She thought of a dozen charities where she could tithe to. Perhaps she would give the whole thing away or maybe not the entire thing. Maybe she should keep enough to start a business, maybe just a bit. Yet deep beneath this hope and expectation came the thoughts of the cost paid for these pearls of great price. Anger and grief both tried to fill the same space in her soul. How could it be possible to feel so much turmoil, Mary thought to herself? Her heart was heavy with memories; no one in particular came to mind. It was the flood of the past, everything said, every un-kept promise, and the broken vows.
Combined with this and seeping through to the present was the reminder of her present physical state. She had tossed and turned all night; her left arm striking a very painful reality chord! Would she even live through it all to enjoy it, came the subconscious question that eked through her sleep to waking mind?
No answer came to this query. Mary must quiet herself and get on with the day. Casting down all imaginations Mary knew would be a difficult task today but she knew she must do it if she was to get through this day without making matters worse for her own well being. But how could she forget what happened?
Surely, even if the bruises of his words were hidden beneath layers of life the damage had been done to her psyche. The past came out in countless ways through indirect anger; triggered memories brought on by innocent bystanders that led to lashing out, and on, and on she could go. She was not the person she was and hated what she had become. Where lays that gentle creature she once was?
Where the humble child of her youth? There was only this wounded spirit laying dormant waiting for the next outburst. Why, look even now all it took was a phone call sharing good news that money was coming to stir up the pot of the withering witch! With those words Mary realized it was hard to separate herself from the past because she had become who she was through all her reactions to him.
What was worse perhaps the present heart problems came out of her brokenness. Perhaps like Bobbie she suffered more from a broken heart than anything – one that had never been truly mended. Mary caught her thoughts in mid stream! Perhaps, Mary reflected, those questions God presented to her about healing encompassed not only her weight problems but this unfinished business with her ex-husband. Mary didn’t know. It was possible. Anything was possible with God.
This was good, it was all good despite what she saw and felt. God had always been faithful in the past and would be in the future to make all things work together for good for her because she trusted Him and He had called her.