CHAPTER X
The days without Dave seemed aimless. Jennie slept fitfully at night, starting up at the slightest noise, wondering if it could be Dave returning; dreaming that he was by her side, only to awaken to realize with renewed anguish that she was alone. The restless nights left her exhausted and her nerves strained to the breaking point.
Joan's incessant baby talk would try Jennie's patience and she would scold her. Troubled at her own impatience, she would take little Joan into her arms, kiss her, and tell her she was sorry.
Being under constant mental pressure made it difficult for Jennie to pray, and she would find her mind wandering as she tried to read her Bible. The devil took advantage of this situation and whispered suggestions that she was losing out in her soul. Jennie found herself fighting spiritual battles, mental pressure, and physical fatigue. Satan derided her with, "God has forsaken you as well as Dave. You have grieved Him or you would not be losing your desire for communion with Him."
As Jennie dressed for church one Sunday morning, darkness seemed to engulf her soul. She dropped to her knees and cried in anguish, "Oh, God, speak to me. I have never been more desperate to hear from heaven. Show me if I have grieved Thee."
She waited in silence and expectation. Opening her Bible, she read these words, "Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness."
Thank you, Jesus," Jennie whispered gratefully. "I will trust Thee where I cannot understand for I know Thou art with me and will never fail me or forsake me."
After this reassurance, Jennie felt especially close to God for days. New strength came to her as she rested in Him. She quit trying to carry her burden for Dave all alone. The self-accusations ceased, and her mind, soul, and body were renewed.
Jennie began to long for something more purposeful to fill her days. She considered returning to nursing, the work she had loved at the hospital; but she thought, "I must put baby Joan before my own wishes. She needs me more than ever now. But there must be something I can do. I don't feel God would have me sit here day after day grieving over things that are beyond my control."
Looking to God for guidance, He spoke one morning while she was praying, "Go visit Mrs. Bostick, the widow."
"Yes, Lord," she answered submissively.
After breakfast, she dressed Joan, and together they drove the four miles to Mrs. Bostick's. Jennie was not well acquainted with her, but when driving by the house she had often seen the elderly lady working in her yard tending the flower beds.
"Good morning, Mrs. Bostick," she greeted her upon arriving at her house.
"Good morning." Mrs. Bostick gave her a questioning look. "Come in, Mrs.--uh .... "
"Maddox," Jennie finished for her.
"That's right, Mrs. Maddox. I just couldn't seem to remember your name. How are you today?"
''I'm well, thank you. How are you?"
"Not too good, Ma'am, not too good. This old ticker of mine 'bout plays out on me sometimes, but I'm glad I'm still able to get around. Say, that's a cute little tyke you've got there." Turning to Joan, she said, "Hello, Honey."
"Hi," Joan smiled sweetly.
After a few minutes of casual conversation, Jennie stated her mission. "Mrs. Bostick, I felt God wanted me to visit you today. Are you a Christian?"
"Now listen, Ma'am, I don't want to be rude, but I ain't one for this religious stuff. I've seen enough hypocrites in my day to disgust anybody. So--o, if it's all right with you, we'll drop the subject."
Jennie prayed silently. "Lord, you sent me here. Please give me wisdom as to what to do now." Looking at Mrs. Bostick she said, "Mrs. Bostick, I can see where you would be disgusted on account of hypocrites, but God has many people who are genuine Christians. I attend a small church not far from here, and I have confidence in most of the folk who attend there. They live lives that measure up to what they profess. Would you consider attending church with us, if Joan and I came by on Sundays to pick you up?"
"No, I wouldn't," she replied bluntly.
As Jennie was at a loss to know how to continue on the subject that was dearest to her heart, she changed the conversation. "Your flowers are lovely, Mrs. Bostick. “As the old saying goes, you must have a green thumb."
A smile spread over Mrs. Bostick's face. Jennie could tell she had hit on the right topic.
Rising from her seat and pushing open the screen door, Mrs. Bostick asked, "Would you like to see my flowers, Mrs. Maddox?"
"I would be delighted, Jennie assured her as she arose and took Joan by the hand.
Following Mrs. Bostick from one flower to another, Jennie showed much interest as Mrs. Bostick commented on each flower as only a flower lover can. Later, as she was leaving she told her, ”I have enjoyed the visit with you very much, Mrs. Bostick, and I will be praying for you."
The same scowl appeared on Mrs. Bostick's face as she replied coldly, "Thank you, Mrs. Maddox, and call again."
"I will, Mrs. Bostick. Good day."
"There's no doubt but that God sent me," Jennie meditated as she drove away. "But she sure was hard to talk to about her soul. Oh well, I guess it will take time and prayer to break down the barrier." Silently, she prayed, "Dear Jesus, help me to win her to Thee some way. Give wisdom from above."
Glancing over at little Joan standing in the seat beside her, she asked, "Joan, how would you like to visit Brother and Sister Cleveland? They don't get to attend church regularly, and I'm sure they must get lonesome. Maybe we can bring a little sunshine into their lives." Again she repeated, "Wanna go see Cleveland?"
"See Cleveland," Joan clapped her hands and laughed.
As they pulled into the driveway, Bimbo, the dog, ran out to greet them with a friendly bark and a wagging tail.
"Doggy," Joan exclaimed with delight.
"Hello, Bimbo." Jennie patted his head.
"Why, good morning" Jennie," Mr. Cleveland greeted from the doorway. "Come in, come in. So glad to see you and how's my little girl today? Hello, Joan."
"Hi, Cleveland." Joan reached out her little hand to his big outstretched one.
"She's a doll, Jennie," he said admiringly.
"I'm thankful for her, Brother Cleveland. She's a great comfort to me these days."
"Come on in, Jennie." He held the door open. "Mom's not feeling well today. She'll be so glad to see you. With all your trouble, it seems as if you would not think of .... " his words trailed off.
"Mom," he called as he entered the house. "Look who has come to see us."
"Bless your heart, my dear," Mrs. Cleveland exclaimed as she caught sight of her visitors. "This is the best tonic I could have had today. Hi there, Joan. Come and love Cleveland.”
Little Joan walked over obediently and reached up her arms to Mrs. Cleveland.
"You sweet little doll," Mrs. Cleveland said as she hugged her to herself. To Jennie she said, "You have a precious jewel, Jennie, dear. God was certainly good to you to send you little Joan."
"Yes, I know. I'm really thankful for His blessings. My life would be terribly lonely without Joan."
An hour passed quickly as they enjoyed sweet fellowship together after which Jennie offered prayer and left for home. The remainder of the day Jennie spent doing necessary chores about the house. She found herself humming about her work.
"Truly the harvest is ripe and the laborers are few.” she said. "I must try to labor harder in God's vineyard. She felt especially interested in Mrs. Bostick and purposed to do all she could to win her to God.
"Lord, soften her heart toward the things of Cod," she prayed. "Break down every barrier and use me in some way to win her unto Thee."
Once again Jennie had found a field in which to labor, so she spent many days in visitation work. Once a week she visited Mrs. Bostick and had succeeded in winning her confidence. Now instead of the frown that had previously greeted her, Mrs. Bostick's
face lit up with a smile when she saw Jennie corning.
"And just think, Joan, she has promised to go to church with us Sunday," Jennie said happily as they returned home one day.
"Go to church," repeated Joan.
After reaching home, she fed Joan and tucked her in for her afternoon nap. She then picked up her Bible and settled down in a chair to read. As usual, a heaviness settled down upon her and tears came into her eyes. "Dave," she sighed, "I miss you so." He had never even called her since he had left. The only contact at all was the support check which he faithfully mailed to her each week.
"Dear Lord," she prayed, "wherever he is, speak to him just now. Don't let him continue on in the way he's going. Stop him some way, somehow."
That night she awoke from a troubled sleep with a tremendous burden. The Scripture verse, "He that being often reproved hardeneth his neck, shall suddenly be destroyed and that without remedy," was impressed strongly on her mind. She fell out of bed and onto her knees. "Oh, God," she prayed, "I feel that Dave is in danger. Hover over him, Lord. Don't let him go out into eternity in a backslidden condition." She groaned and prayed until the burden lifted and she felt God had undertaken in behalf of Dave. She went back to bed but was unable to sleep the remainder of the night.
The next afternoon, her mother called. "Hello, Jennie are you all right?"
"Why, yes, Mother, I'm fine. Just tired as I didn't rest too well last night. How are you?"
"Not too good, Jen, but I was wondering if you would like me to come out and spend a few days with you?"
"Why, Mother, I'd be delighted. But ... on second thought," she added. "I know how hard it is for you to stay away from home at night so don't inconvenience yourself for me and Joan. We're making it fine. Don't worry about us."
There was a slight pause on the other end of the line. Then her mother spoke again in a strained voice, "Jen, did you--uh--do you. Uh--I don't believe you have seen--uh .... "
"Mother, what's wrong?"
"Oh, I was just wondering if you have heard--uh--if you have seen today's newspaper?"
"No, not yet. My neighbor usually brings my newspaper when he comes by from work." She glanced at the clock. "That will be a couple of hours yet. Is there something of importance in the news? I usually just scan the headlines."
"Well-uh, I'll just wait and let you read it, Jen dear." Was Mother crying? She could hardly talk.
"I must go now, Jennie. I love you and I'm praying for you. Good-bye, Dear."
"Wait a minute, Mother." But Jennie heard the click on the other end of the line. She started to call her back but decided against it.
"She sounded so troubled," Jennie thought as she replaced the receiver. "I wonder what's wrong. Oh well, I'll not worry. Mother is easily excited and takes everyone's troubles to heart. Bless her."
She reached for Joan's little sunbonnet. "Come on, baby, let's go pull the grass from our pansies."
Joan's face lit up in a big smile.
"My little sweetie," whispered Jennie in Joan's ear as she tied the strings under her chin and planted a kiss on her cheek. "I'm so thankful God gave you to me. You bring much joy to Mommy."
"Bring joy," Joan faithfully echoed as they walked out the door hand in hand.
In spite of Jennie's self-admonition to remain calm, troubled thoughts kept running through her mind. Had something happened to Dave? No, Mother would have surely told her if that had been the case. There was no use borrowing trouble. But why did Mother sound so alarmed? Jennie shaded her eyes and looked up the road. Would Mr. Morgan ever come with the Daily News?
"Purty flower," exclaimed Joan holding up a hand full of Jennie's lovely pansies.
"No, no, Joan. Let's not pull the flowers, just the grass.
See, Mommy is pulling up the grass."
"Ma-ma pull grass."
"Maybe I should go call Mother back and insist she tell me what's wrong." Jennie's hand had begun to shake until she, too, was pulling pansies instead of grass. "This suspense is getting the best of me," she thought as she straightened up to rest her back.
"A car," Joan exclaimed excitedly pointing toward the road. "Look, Ma-ma, Smith." She was hopping from one foot to the other and clapping her hands.
"Well, it sure is Smith, Joan." Jennie pulled off her work gloves and attempted to straighten her hair. Walking toward the car that had now stopped, she extended her hands.
"This is a pleasant surprise, Brother and Sister Smith. I'm always so happy to have you pay me a visit."
"It's good to see you too, Jennie. And how's Joan? What a little dear!"
"Joan saw you first. She told me Smith was coming."
They smiled briefly. "Come on in," Jennie invited and started toward the house.
"Here, Joan, let Smith carry you," Brother Smith reached out his hands and Joan walked over to him. He picked her up and they all went inside.
"Be seated," Jennie motioned toward the sofa. Her heart was pounding wildly. The troubled look on her pastor's countenance revealed the fact that this was not a social visit. Her burden the night before and the Scripture verse God had impressed so vividly on her mind seemed to stand out before her. The Smiths looked at each other as if expecting the other to relate the reason for their call. Jennie noticed that Sister Smith's eyes were red as if she had been weeping. She prayed for grace and strength and then opened the conversation herself. "Brother Smith, I don't want to be pessimistic, but I suspect you have brought me bad news. You see, God woke me up around midnight last night with a heavy burden and the Scripture, 'He that being often reproved hardeneth his neck, shall suddenly be destroyed and that without remedy: was ringing in my ears. Has something happened to Dave?" She held on to the back of a chair, gripping it tightly. Her cheeks seemed to be drained of all color and she felt faint.
Sister Smith gave her husband a searching glance and then arose from the sofa, walked over to Jennie and put her arms about her. "Dave was involved in a car wreck, Dear, and he is in the hospital. Your mother called and asked us to come out and bear the news to you.”
So that was the reason her mother had acted so strangely.
"How badly is Dave hurt?" Jennie held her breath, afraid of the answer.
"We do not know, dear. The news report said, 'extent of injuries undetermined.' "
Jennie clutched at her heart and dropped to her knees. "Let us pray," she choked.
They knelt together to call on the One who had promised He would never leave them nor forsake them. Jennie sobbed her heart out.
"Oh, Lord, I have been praying 'at any cost.' Wilt Thou use this to call him back to the fold?" she prayed desperately. "Keep Thy hand on him, dear Lord, and don't let him slip out into eternity, a lost and doomed soul. Oh-h, God, give added strength and grace to Thy child. I cannot make it without Thy help. In Jesus' Name. Amen."
"We'll drive you by the hospital if you want to go," Brother Smith offered.
"Thank you, Brother Smith. Let me get Joan's clothes. I'll leave her at Mother's."
A little while later they stopped at Ninth and Chester.
"Jennie, darling, I'm so sorry," her mother sobbed as she threw her arms around her. "We wonder why all this had to happen, for Dave was such a wonderful Christian when you married him. Who would have ever thought he would turn out to be so wicked?"
"Now, now, Mother. Dave has some good qualities. The devil just has a hold on him, and we must continue to fast and pray until the devil's power is broken and Dave is set free through the blood of Jesus."
"God bless you, Dear, and give you extra grace and strength," her mother whispered as she kissed her goodbye. "Don't worry about little Joan. I'll take the best of care her."
"I know you will, Mother. Bye-bye" Joan. Be a good girl and Mommy will see you later."
"Bye-bye, Ma-ma.' Joan held out her arms to hug her another good-bye.
"Room 507," she was told when she reached the hospital.
"We will visit Da
ve later, Jennie," Rev. Smith assured her, "and be sure to call on us when you need us."
"Thanks for everything, Brother Smith. Pray for us."
"That poor girl," Sister Smith remarked as they walked back to the car. "How could Dave crush her so, when she's like an angel?"
Dave's eyes were closed when she slipped, breathlessly, into the room. His head was bandaged and his left eye was swollen shut. His left leg was in a cast. It took much self-control for Jennie to keep from crying out.
Dave seemed to sense someone's presence and opened his one good eye.
"Hi, Jennie," he said sheepishly. "You came?"
"Yes, Dave."
"You don't hate me?"
"Nothing you could do would make me hate you."
"Then you know?"
"Know what?"
" About the wreck and . . . and. . . ."
"All I know is that you were in a wreck around midnight last night."
"How did you find out?"
"Brother Smith and his wife came out and told me."
"Then you haven't seen the newspaper?"
"No, Dave."
He was silent.
"Are you hurt badly, Dave?" she continued the conversation.
"A cut on the head and this eye is giving me trouble. I hope I don't lose the sight of it. Also, I have a few broken ribs and this old left leg is broken again."
"Must have been a terrible wreck."
"Only a miracle saved us from going into a big canal. We were headed right toward it, but somehow the car swerved and hit a telephone pole. That's all that saved us."
"Oh-h, thank you Jesus." Jennie no longer tried to control her tears. "This happened around midnight, didn't it, Dave?"
"Yes, how did you know?"
"The Lord showed me. That was when the burden lifted."
"You mean you were praying for me at midnight? No wonder .... " His voice trailed off.
God gave me the burden, Dave. It was His faithfulness to keep you out of hell. Oh-h, what if I had failed to pray?" She buried her head in her hands. Neither spoke for a while.
"Dave," she asked after a few moments, "Who was with you? You said, 'only a miracle saved us from the canal.' Was he hurt badly?"
Dave sighed and turned his face away from her.