Chapter Fifty Nine

For over an hour, Jenny drifted back and forth on the swing, unable to move. She replayed the conversation she just had with James over and over. Life had lost its direction and her heart searched for hope…A cloud of confusion surrounded her. It was mingled with so many emotions that they were no longer definable. Her dreams were shattering as the realities of life worked their way into the cracks of her heart. Oh where was this all heading?

Suddenly, Jenny felt a soft touch on her shoulder. Normally it would have startled her, but she instantly recognized its warmth. It was more of a loving caress.

“I hope I didn’t frighten you, Jenny?”

Jenny reached back and touched Henry’s hand. “I knew it was you.”

“James called, didn’t he?”

Jenny nodded and tears surfaced. She couldn’t speak. She squeezed Henry’s hand. He came around and sat beside her on the swing. He raised his arm and Jenny collapsed into his chest.

“Oh, Henry, I am so confused. I love you so much…I am so afraid what the future might bring.”

Henry felt a rush of love sweep through him. He wanted his dear sweet Jenny more than life. He felt her heart pounding and her chest heaving and didn’t know how to console her…she was caught in between so many conflicts; pressure coming from him, would only add to her troubled spirit. He remained silent and stroked her shoulder, setting the swing into motion.

It was the sound of nature that eventually promoted Henry to speak. “Isn’t the sound of that meadowlark beautiful, Jen? Of all the birds I hear, it’s the sound of the meadowlark that is the most melodic and soothing of all. So many times I walk down the country dirt road, I hear the buzzing of bees, the hum of the wires overhead, but every now and then I am fortunate enough to hear a meadowlark sitting on the telephone wires singing a song for me. The melody instantly touches my heart.”

Jenny and Henry gazed skyward and there it was sitting on the wires.

“The tune it sings is so beautiful. Its name is beautiful, too…meadowlark, such a soothing name. I can just see it singing in the meadows at your farm. Imagine walking through all those beautiful daisies listening to that.”

“It reminds me of a Scripture I once memorized; in fact, I used to memorize a lot of them when I attended university. Julean was amazed how I would spout Scripture after Scripture. But it helped to calm my nerves when I was worried about things.”

“What were some of them, Henry?”

“Like I said, hearing the meadowlark reminded me of what Jesus said in Matthew 6: 25-26, I think it was that we should not be worried about life. And later on in that Scripture, He comments on the birds in the sky and that they do not fret or worry about their food or life and God makes sure they are fed and He asks, ‘Are we not considered of more worth to the Father?’ And still later in that same chapter, Jesus says, ‘Do not worry about tomorrow; for tomorrow will care for itself.’”

“That’s beautiful, Henry…can you recall some others?” Jenny found it soothing.

“Yeah, Matthew 11:28, ‘Come unto Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest.’ And verses 29 and 30 are helpful too, Jenny. ‘Take my yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.’”

“Henry, that’s amazing that you can remember and quote those Scriptures!”

“I have to admit I used to say them over and over…it almost became a way of life.”

“Tell me another one…”

“You’ll like this, Jenny, it has to do with bringing you peace—”

“Oh, tell me quickly…I sure can use that.”

“It’s John 14:27: ‘Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Do not let your heart be troubled, nor let it be fearful.’”

“Oh, Henry, that’s beautiful. I can just feel the peace of Jesus calming my heart. I bet that’s what the meadowlark was singing.”

Henry squeezed Jenny and they fell into a silence once more.

“Do you have a favorite Scripture, Henry?” Jenny wanted to know.

“I do Jenny, the one that has helped me cope with situations more than once is Proverbs 3:5: ‘Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.’”

“That’s exactly what I need to do right now, Henry.” Jenny sat up and looked at Henry. “It’s our thinking of all the worst case scenarios happening that gets us all so bogged down. What you just said made me think of a favourite of mine as well. I can’t think of the Scripture like you can, but it has to do with trusting God as well to turn all things into the good.”

“That’s Romans 8:28, Jenny. That’s the one Father Engelmann quotes all of the time. You know, Jenny, why don’t we pray about that right now. I know exactly what Father would say if he were here.”

Henry reached out with both of his hands and Jenny’s were right there for him to take. He smiled so lovingly at his dear sweet Jenny. Henry closed his eyes and squeezed Jenny’s hands, “Dear Jesus, give us the grace and strength to do and accept that which reflects Your will in this difficult situation. I love Jenny so much and yet she has a husband and family that love her too and want her back. Please help me, Jesus, to let Jenny be free to decide what is best for her to do. And help us both to trust in You knowing that You will turn it all into good for all concerned.”

“And I thank you too, dear Lord, for my darling, Henry, for His love and understanding and support.”

Jenny squeezed Henry’s hands, then let go and walked over to the Angel of Thanksgiving. She bent down and plucked a yellow daisy in the wildflower patch. “Thank you so much for Henry.”

Jenny placed the daisy in the angel’s basket next to the one from James.

“I gave the Angel of Thanksgiving a name, Henry…”

“I bet it’s Hannah…”

Jenny nodded. “As soon as Father David told me the name of my guardian, I knew right then that’s what I would call the Angel of Thanksgiving. It’s perfect. My angel is always surrounding me with blessings.”

Jenny’s face brightened “Before you came, Henry, I was so troubled and now I feel like such a weight is lifted off me. Thank you so much for coming…”

Henry gazed at his sweetheart lovingly. He knew as did Jenny, that this was just a momentary respite in the difficult journey that lay ahead. What was she really thinking and feeling?

Please dear guardian angels, help us…

Henry got up and made his way to Jenny. He couldn’t keep his eyes off her, “I love you so much, Jenny.”

“I love you too.”

They warmly embraced and parted.

“It’s such a beautiful day, Jenny, what do ya’ say, we go for a drive in the country?”

“Yes,” Jenny responded, her eyes flashing, “And let’s get out and walk down a country dirt road with our guardian angels at our side.”

“Yeah, and maybe, just maybe, we all might be serenaded by a meadowlark!”

“Yes, and maybe, just maybe, there might be two of them sitting on the wires, wouldn’t that be something! Just think, a duet!”

“Now, that would be a miracle, Jenny!”

Jenny looked straight into Henry’s eyes, “I believe in miracles, sweetheart…don’t you!?”