God's Care of Details

God's Care of Details

The morning air was cool as Mirah woke that new summer morning at Natalie's home in Kansas. Everything was so peaceful here, no sense of rush or worry. Last night had been one of the most peaceful evenings Mirah had ever experienced. Natalie had suggested they put off the ending of her long tale until today and spend a little time swimming in the lake before having supper on the back porch.

It was such a pretty setting with the woods surrounding the lake. The birds chattering and singing had a soothing effect. Natalie spread blankets under a huge weeping willow tree and set a bundle of large towels on them. Both the early evening air and the water were warm and inviting.

At first Mirah simply floated and watched some very busy squirrels hustling up and down a large oak tree. Just as she was about to turn her attention to some swimming, Natalie, who had eased up carefully and silently behind her, splashed her face with water. A royal water fight quickly ensued between the two young women.

Mr. Benson was having a great time floating and watching the comical sight until the two females surprised him by dunking him completely. There was plenty of splashing, laughing and chasing until everyone agreed to a truce and a rest before supper. They toweled off, wrapped in towels, lay in the sun, dozed and nearly fell asleep.

David lay there thinking how amazing it was that this person who might even now be his Queen had made herself a friend, refusing to acknowledge others as inferior to her in position or value or in any other way. Today they had actually played together as friends, like children without a care in the world, and now they lay only a few feet apart, resting in the sun as it filtered through the leaves of the large willow. Natalie could, he realized, go back to Teylia Island and claim her throne. As Queen she could demand obedience and subservience of both him and Mirah. Yet in his heart he knew that what they had between them today was exactly what Natalie wanted. She would rather they be brother and sister in the Lord and lifelong friends than to ever live as the ruler of an Island. And he knew, too, that it had been the Savior who had made her what she was today.

As the sun began to set, Natalie roused her guests and goaded them into the house to clean up for supper. Eating on the porch had been perfect. The star-filled night sky was exquisite. The stars seemed alive. Everything was serene and Natalie, Mirah thought, was amazingly beautiful for one whose body had endured such a dreaded disease and been restored.

The calm of her spirit, after all she had been through, amazed Mirah. Perhaps I should pay more attention to this business of God, she thought. She decided to have Natalie or David explain more to her about the meaning of the word “Savior” and how one becomes a child of God. One thing was certain, those of her acquaintances who had a relationship with God, seemed to be much more confident, happy and peaceful than other folks she knew.

Apparently God had done miraculous things for Natalie, things no human could ever do. That night when she went to bed, she tried her hand at praying. She asked God to help her understand what Natalie and even Edward had understood about him.

This morning as she prepared for the day, she found herself anxious to hear what Natalie had done with the last two years of her life. Everything she had heard of Natalie's last seven years up to this point had been remarkable. Mirah could understand her great desire to get Terah back now. This would certainly be a great place for Terah to live. But still she wondered how the Zeers were going to react to the news. As a matter of fact, how would Terah take such shocking news? Well, there was still an entire week before finding out and facing that ordeal. She mustn't let the thought of it ruin her last day with Natalie.

She got up and quickly packed her things. The flight home wasn't until evening, but she would get the packing out of the way now and not have to do it later. She finished, then double-checked the room to be sure everything was as nice as when she had arrived. She dressed, then went to the kitchen. No one was there but there was hot coffee in a pot on the stove and the table was set with cereal bowls, silverware, cups, sugar and cream.

She slipped out the back door to take a stroll by the water and found Natalie sitting at the patio table reading the Bible.

“Morning!” she said, smiling pleasantly. “Are you leaving us without eating or saying good bye?”

“Morning to you, too, Miss. Thought I would take a little stroll till, everyone was up.”

“Go ahead. I have a feeling Mr. Benson needed some extra rest after the workout we put him through last night.”

Both ladies laughed remembering their funny antics the night before and how hilarious everyone had looked. “I won't be long,” Mirah said as she headed off to the wooded area, not far from the water's edge.

“Still laughin', are you?” Mr. Benson said pertly, walking through the door, just as Mirah walked behind a tree. “I swear none of us are a day over seventeen! Why, I haven't slept so soundly in years, even though I woke from a dream about a young woman I miss very much. If she were here I think I could just stay forever. Things are simple here, but perfect. Yes, this is perfect.”

“I see, David. Do I know the young lady you are missing? Does she know how you feel?”

“Sure! You know Susanne, all right. I aim to be certain she knows when I return. She's a special lady. Met Jesus thanks to her encounter with your husband. She and the Father have a close relationship now.”

“I'm glad to hear it, David! And you have a close relationship with her?”

“Yes, indeed.” He looked thoughtful for a moment. Natalie decided she would ask no more on that subject until he felt like talking about it.

“Do you think my daughter will like it here, David?” she asked.

“I don't see how she could help it. I'm sure she'll love it. She'll love being with her mother, too.”

“I hope so, David, I mean...” She sounded somewhat uneasy. Well... I hope leaving where she is now won't be too hard on her. But then...” Her voice changed to one of more confidence. “I know this is the place God has given me to bring her home to and I know it's the right time.” David put his hand on her shoulder.

“I'm certain it is, sweetheart. I know it is.”

“Watch it,” she smiled, “or I might just keep you. I could use a father, you know. How about some breakfast?”

Mirah came back into the kitchen as Natalie was finishing setting out the food. She sighed deeply and stretched out her arms.

“I wish I could live in a place like this where there's so much privacy and no extravagances to deal with,” she said.

“Maybe you could if you really wanted to make a change. Anything's possible. Wash your hands and let's eat.”

“Yes ma'am.”

As they sat down Natalie reminded Mirah that her house was only about five miles from a small town. “Very convenient. If you ever decide to move you're welcome to stay here with me while you find yourself some work and your own place.”

“Hey!” Mirah laughed, “now you're really tempting me!”

“Well, now” Mr. Benson put in, “before we all up and leave the Queen and move in on this young lady, let's give her a chance to tell us how she got from the hospital to this perfect home.”

After breakfast, they sat in lawn chairs in the shade of a large oak as Natalie finished her story.

“When I left the hospital, I did go back to the Johnsons' for another year. I felt so strong and energetic that I was able to do more work than ever before. Many evenings the three of us studied the Bible, sang and prayed together. It was great for my spirit.

“I was anxious to save enough money to get a place for me and Terah, but nearly everything I earned was going to the hospital bills. Getting on my own any time soon looked impossible. The Johnsons began encouraging me to send for Terah and bring her there to live with me. I knew there wasn't enough room but I needed to get her back. So one evening I closed myself in my tiny room and began to really seek God, asking him to make a way and to show me what to do. It was not right for my little girl to be without her mother. Suddenly I felt an urgency to call Edward's uncle.

“I left the house, went to a pay phone and called him. He was so excited at hearing my voice, he nearly shouted.

“I told him a very short form of my story since I had last talked with him and where I was at the time. When I finished he said, 'Now listen, Natalie, this has gone on long enough and God has made a way to end it. Edward's father passed away about a year ago. He left a fairly large sum of money to be divided between his children, their spouses or grandchildren. Edward's portion would automatically go to you, but I could not reach you since you hadn't given me a phone number or called back since your first call. I also knew I was not to let anyone know you were alive until I got word from you. So I convinced the family to put Edward's portion into a savings account while I searched for Terah. It's been collecting interest all this time. Now, if you're willing to let the family know you're alive you will have more than enough money to get a place and get your daughter home.

'But you'll need proof of who you are - a birth or marriage certificate will be necessary in order for the money to be turned over to you. Natalie, there is enough to pay your debts and put things right and it's about time.'

'But Uncle Bill,' I told him, 'when I walked out of that hospital years ago, I never returned to my home for anything. I just left it all. Surely all my belongings are gone who knows where. I had no family who would claim anything.'

'Please listen to me, Natalie. We could send for a copy of the marriage certificate, but even then we would need some identification such as your birth certificate. Do you have that?

'No, mother kept that.'

'Okay, so getting that could take a long time and all sorts of complications could arise once you make yourself known to the Queen. I hope you will listen and do as I ask. I want you to go back to where your home was with Edward. Surely you had some friends there. Visit your old home-place and ask questions. I feel like you should do this. I don't know what you'll find but I feel strongly it is the first thing you should do. I'll loan you the money for the trip and to cover your expenses for a while. For some reason I feel someone there knows something that will help. Perhaps a friend kept your marriage license as a keepsake or something. I don't know. But I feel there is an answer there that will get the money left to you in your hands quickly. Will you go, just because you trust me?'

“I agreed to go, not knowing what I would find. To my amazement, upon returning I found Aunt Bessie, who had also been our landlady, had stored all of our belongings in a large outbuilding on her farm. When she saw me walking up the drive, she squealed and shouted. ' I knew it! I knew it! Oh glory be!' She ran to me and hugged me hard.”

'Oh, sweet child,' she said, 'I've been prayin' for you all these years. Down deep I always believed a day would come when I would see you come walkin' up that drive and today you did! Praise God, you did! Here you are, you precious dear, and with quite a story to tell of God's grace andpower, I'm just certain!.”

'Aunt Bessie!' I cried, and hid my face on her shoulder. 'How good to see you again! But how? How on earth could you know? Why would you think I was still alive?'

'Why, I just knew that story of your death was a lie! I knew you were either in trouble or hiding from your mother. I overheard a few things at the hospital and figured out that a lot of the trouble Satan tried to bring on you folks was done through your mama. I'm no fool, honey. Why, goodness, a closed casket instead of showing off her beautiful daughter all royal like? Not that mother of yours! It wasn't like you had been in an accident and been messed up. Two and two never did make five, I say. Oh, let me look at you again!'

“She stepped back looked me over good, then grabbed me and started hugging me again.

“I couldn't hold back the tears. 'Aunt Bessie, you are so wise! Only God could have let you know! And you really have been praying for me all this time?'

'Well, of course, what do you think? Now come on inside and let me get you set down and get you something cold to drink.'

“She held on to me all the way into the house and helped me to a chair like I was a little child. She didn't seem to want to let go of me, and to tell the truth, I didn't want her to.”

'Aunt Bessie, I wanted to come back but I was afraid my mother would track me here and I still don't know who she used to kill Edward.'

'Aw, yes, I see. That family you had dinner with the night Edward died just seem to vanish off of the face of the earth. I have a feelin' they were part of it.'

“So,” Mr. Benson interrupted, “at that point you still did not know that your mother had died?”

“My mother is dead?” Natalie looked shocked.

“David,” Mirah put in, “Natalie has been shut in so much of the time and trying not to be noticed by her mother, she must not have heard.”

“When? How?”

“They said it was a heart attack, four years ago.” David explained. “Your sister's been ruling in her place.”

“Poor thing! Poor Natasha and so young for such a job!” Natalie dropped her head into her hands and sat silent for a few minutes. When she spoke again she looked thoughtful but not distressed.

“Then much has changed. How does Natasha fare? Does she seem lonely?”

David and Mirah looked at each other, both at a loss as to how to proceed. It seemed awkward to try and comfort Natalie when she was now talking about her sister and showing no sorrow over her mother.

Mr. Benson winked at Mirah, cleared his throat and said, “I think Mirah could answer that best.”

“Well, yes, I do think she's lonely. She hasn't married and I'm sure she misses you. She took your passing pretty hard at first. But she has become a very focused young Queen and the people seem quite encouraged since she took the throne.”

“I told Uncle Bill that I intended to visit Natasha some day but I was thinking I would have to sneak in somehow to avoid my mother's detection. Now she's the Queen herself.”

“Will she not fear you coming to claim the throne if she learns you're alive?” Mirah wondered alou

“Well, she needn't, but she might. I don't know. Power does strange things to people. I just don't know how she would react. Eventually I suppose I'll find out.”

Natalie sat in silence a few minutes more, seemingly absorbing all this new information, then she simply smiled again and said, “Well, now, where was I?”

David and Mirah looked at each other and shrugged their shoulders. Evidently Natalie wasn't going to talk about her mother or her feelings right now and she certainly did not appear saddened by the news. Maybe she needed time to let the reality sink in. She went on as though she hadn't even heard about it.

“Aunt Bessie said she could never bring herself to get rid of our things. Said she even checked on them now and then to be sure they were dry and free of critters, as she called mice and such. She put pest poison inside the building and rearranged things from time to time. But best of all, she had brought our pictures, including our family album and my box of important papers such as my marriage license inside and kept them in a closet.

'My husband, thought I worried over your things too much,' she told me.

'Especially since you were supposed to be dead. Said he wanted you to be alive as much as anyone, but after all, there had even been a funeral. But I reminded him of the closed casket.'

'Don't you find that a mite odd? I asked him. All he would do is shake his head and say 'I don't know. Just don't know.'

“She told him there were precious memories stored in that building, that couldn't be replaced and that they had no use for the building anyway. I'm thankful she kept believing.

It was about four months before the money my father-in-law had left was in an account of my own. After all those years, four months wasn't very long. I knew God was moving on my and Terah's account in his own way and time. Uncle Bill was right. There was enough to pay off the hospital. Then I began looking for a home. I looked for a couple of months before I found this place sitting empty, but without a for sale sign. I questioned folks around town and in the country until I got the owner's name. He lived out of state so I wrote him a letter asking if he would be willing to sell the place and for how much. I kept looking at other places while I waited for a reply but I was drawn to this one.

“I felt I should be in the country and there wasn't much available in the price range I felt I should stay in. When I finally heard from the owner he offered me the place, which included twenty-five acres, for a price far beneath what I had been willing to pay. I was ecstatic even though I had never actually been inside the house. I had only looked through the windows as best I could. I was even more elated after going through it. The place was mine within a month.

“I began having repairs done, cleaning, painting, papering, etc. Mrs Johnson helped me and we both had a lot of fun doing it, especially Terah's room. It took eight weeks, till it was finished and I was satisfied with the home I was bringing my daughter to. “It took time to get packed back in Missouri and moving here. I stayed with Aunt Bessie while I packed and went through things. It was an emotional time but I had both Aunt Bessie and Uncle Bob to help me through it.

“The Johnsons were thrilled for me and offered to help me with moving my things from Aunt Bessie's. Since they seldom did any sort of traveling they looked at going with me to get and move my things as a mini-vacation, even though they worked hard. We made a jolly event of it all. I saw to it they ate out in nice restaurants and that we had fun. They loved meeting Aunt Bessie and Uncle Bob and enjoyed their company. And they were very happy to see me as a woman on my own taking back my life. So while it was work it was a joyous time as well. “When they saw my place and I saw the look in Sophie's eyes, I knew I must do something for them after all they had done for me. I could never really pay them back. But neither did I like the thought of them going back home to their tiny house after they saw the spacious place Terah and I now had to live in. I was able to give them some of the money the Lord had given me. And I was excited when I heard from them later that they had put it toward a nice place that was larger and had a good sized basement with an outside door that Sophie was going to use for her own sewing shop. They also had a large yard with a nice garden spot. The money I gave them paid the place half off and their payments were small enough as to be easy for them to handle.

“The rest of the time, until I sent the note to Mirah, was filled with all that goes into getting a house set up. At night I spent a lot of time alone with God. I needed some alone time to reflect on all that had happened in my life, to listen to the Lord and to prepare for motherhood again. I was at peace and ready when I mailed that old envelope, anxious to find my daughter and get her back in my arms.” Natalie looked at Mirah now as if expecting her to fill in the next chapter: the one on getting Terah back. For a moment everyone sat silently. Mr. Benson breathed deeply, nodded his head and broke the silence.

“Amazing and absolutely glorious,” he said rather softly.“It is a story to think on for a long time and to wonder at the awesomeness and the wonder of our Lord. And to think that there is more of the story to come. Wonderful things soon to take place. If it were a book I had just read I would be eager for the sequel - in fact, quite impatient to read it.”

“And Mirah plays an important role in the next few pages,” Natalie said. “But first she has some information for me.”

“Well,” Mirah began, “I guess it's time for my part. Natalie, when I left you in the hospital I took Terah to my sister's friends in Colorado. They had a six-year-old daughter and a one-year-old son.”

This was what Natalie had been waiting anxiously to hear. She hadn't asked before now, thinking it only right to explain her own absence first and why she hadn't sent for Terah before now. Now she sat on the edge of her seat, obviously eager to hear everything.

“According to my sister, they were very stable people. I had met them myself when I visited her once before. They were very down to earth and family oriented. They were more than willing to help and asked for nothing in return. Of course, at first they thought, as I did, that it would be temporary. When they learned you were dead, they never once considered parting with Terah.

“I've been sending them money every week to help out with Terah's needs. They contact me from time to time and assure me she is well, bright, helpful and never any trouble. I've only visited a couple of times in the first two years. Everything was homey and clean. Both times Terah seemed very well adjusted, rather quiet and actually seemed favored in a way, treated sort of special.”

“I'm so glad to hear it, Mirah! That's good news. I've been anxious to know all about her, but first I felt you should know that I hadn't simply gone off and abandoned her. I knew you would see to it she was in good hands. And if anything had been wrong with her I knew that I would know it as soon as I saw you again. When I saw you at the airport I knew immediately that Terah was fine and I would have her with me soon.

“You have been giving these people your own money? I had no idea. I guess there was so much for me to think about and to accomplish in order just to get to her again that I never thought about that side of the matter. I just kept thinking, I know Mirah is keeping her safe.' I am so sorry for the burden you've born because of me.” Now Mr. Benson spoke up before Mirah could speak.

“Natalie, perhaps the good Lord allowed you not to think on this too much because with all the other things you had to deal with it might have overwhelmed you. Remember he said in his Word that he would not allow us to be tempted more than what we could bear, and even with what temptation we do bear, he makes a way of escape.”

“Thank you, David. You must be right. But Mirah, I will repay you financially, though I can never truly repay you for being such a kind, faithful friend and all that you have gone through on my behalf.”

“There's no need, Natalie. It hasn't been a problem or a burden. I earn more than I need anyway and I figured it would be better for Terah if I sent enough to the Zeers to see that she had her needs met. That gave me peace. The Zeers are just common folks. Mr. Zeer works hard to provide his family's needs. Their life is simple, but the family is close and caring. I get letters now and then and I have been assured that they love Terah as their own and that she is such a thoughtful person that their own children look up to her as though she were the oldest. I have notified them that I'm coming to talk to them this coming Saturday.”

“I'll be with you, Mirah.”

“Are you sure that's wise?”

“It's right. I have to be there.”

Seeing Mirah's look of concern, David again spoke up. “Yes, she must go. God has timed this whole thing out so it must be in his hands even now. And Mirah, this mother can wait no longer.”

“All right then. It seems Natalie's God has already moved mountains for her. I guess I needn't worry now.”

“That's a good girl,” David said with a smile.

“Thank you, Mirah. It really will turn out all right. I just know it.” Natalie gave Mirah a big hug.

“Now if only I could have communicated with Natasha. How I would love to tell her everything and have her know Terah.”

“Maybe in time that will happen, once you're certain what her attitude will be,”Mr. Benson said as he stood up and stretched.“This visit has encouraged me immensely. I feel stronger than before I came. I know God lives, but hearing of his awesome deeds in the lives of his children refreshes the spirit!

Natalie looked out over the lake, stretched her own arms over her head and with a look of deep satisfaction said, “I live because he lives!”

“Okay, you two,” Mirah laughed, “isn't it about time to refresh our stomachs and taste buds?”

“Come on then, I'll take the two of you for a ride around the countryside and our little town,” Natalie offered, getting up and reaching for Mirah's hand.

“We'll have lunch at Miller's Diner where the cooking tastes like some of the best home cooking around.”

That evening as David and Mirah were flying home their minds and hearts were full. Both hated leaving Natalie behind. Both were anxious to see Susanne and tell her all. One, of course, was more anxious than the other. The two days away from her had seemed more like a month. David was not only anxious to share Natalie's story with her but to find out if she would share the rest of her life with him as his wife.

Both he and Mirah were to be disappointed when they arrived home upon learning that Susanne was gone with the Queen. They were to be further disappointed when she did not come back on Monday. Each spent much of their time alone doing a lot of thinking.

For Mirah, Natalie's story of her life clearly demonstrated a most unusual connection to God. Their communications were as those of intimate, personal friends. This relationship with God, as well as David and Susanne's relationship with him, gave them courage, comfort and wisdom, the likes of which she was not accustomed to seeing. As she listened and observed them, it was as if they lived in another world that she only viewed through a dark window. She found that she envied them. She wanted on the other side of that window. She determined to find out how to enter that life which she had heard Mr. Benson call “a life hid with Christ in God.” It sounded like a safe place to be.

She and Mr. Benson went their separate ways upon returning home both deeply involved in private contemplation, both comparing their own life with the life Natalie lived in her home in Kansas and both finding their own wanting. Both felt a certain dissatisfaction. There was more of life to be had. What was to be considered now was how to get it. Consider they did.