CHAPTER VIII
Everything looked different to Dave as he drove to work on Monday. The leaves of the old, oak trees waved to him as he went by; the young saplings bowed in reverence to the Author of the joy and peace in his heart; and the song birds were singing their very best. The dog on the corner wagged his tail as if to say, "Good morning," and the cat on Jennie's porch appeared to be smiling.
"What a wonderful world to live in," Dave voiced his thoughts aloud. "There's beauty everywhere. I believe everything has changed for the better."
He could not wait to witness to his boss who had been on vacation. He thought Mr. Perry would be thrilled to hear of his conversion. He parked his car and with long strides, headed for the shop.
"Good morning, Mr. Perry," Dave extended his hand, the corners of his mouth stretched in a wide grin.
"Good morning, Dave. My, what's happened to you? I've never seen you come to work looking so happy."
"The Lord has saved me, Mr. Perry. I know that will make you happy for I won't be drinking any more, and I'll be a better employee."
Mr. Perry looked shocked but only grunted and walked away, Though Dave knew him to be a good moral man, he seemingly was not impressed by Dave's religion. Like so many others, he probably felt he was good enough without going so far. Though Dave was disappointed at Mr. Perry's reaction. he purposed to pray for him that God would convict his heart and show him the error of his ways.
Eagerly, Dave awaited his dinner date with Jennie on Thursday night. "My, I'm acting like I used to when I dated Carol," he thought. "What's wrong with me? Jennie and I could never make a go for she's much too good for me." But in spite of his reasoning, Thursday afternoon on his job found him looking at his watch quite frequently and longing for quitting time to come. When at last the time did arrive, he rushed home, bathed and dressed and headed for Ninth and Chester, humming a hymn as he drove along. Life had taken on new meaning.
The meal was as delicious as he had expected. Why, it was as good, if not better than Mrs. Halloway's.
"My, you're quite a cook," he complimented Jennie.
Jennie looked at her mother and they both laughed. "Mother cooked it," she confessed.
"Jennie is a good cook, though, Dave," Mrs. Taylor assured him. "Next time we have you over, she will be feeling stronger and we will let her prepare all the meal for you."
"Next time," she had said. Dave smiled at Jennie's mother in appreciation of her acceptance of him. He ate heartily and complimented Mrs. Taylor's good cooking several times.
After the dishes were cleared away, Mrs. Taylor retired to her room and Dave and Jennie were left alone. They walked together to the living room and sat on the sofa. There was so much to talk about until at times they would find themselves interrupting one another. Dave never thought he would ever tell anyone his life history, but he found it easy to talk to Jennie. She was such a good listener and so understanding that before Dave realized it, it was time to go.
"Thanks for a delicious meal and a very enjoyable evening," Dave told her in parting.
"I've enjoyed it, too, Dave. You must come again."
And he did, every chance he got. As time went by, Jennie was more and more in his thoughts. He would chuckle to himself over some little remark she had made, or meditate on some Scripture she had mentioned. Always, he would find himself slowing his car and craning his neck as he passed her house hoping to catch some glimpse of her. Even her cat looked good to him because it belonged to Jennie. They were together often and he enjoyed every minute of it.
"Jennie," he said softly one night as he started to leave. "I have something to tell you. Maybe you have already guessed it." He searched her face for some sign to encourage him to continue. She caught her breath and blushed slightly. "Jennie," he repeated her name tenderly, "I love you."
She dropped her eyes and they stood a few moments in silence.
"Don't say anything if you don't want to," he continued, "but if you could give me any encouragement at all that you could ever care for me, I think I would be the happiest man in the world. Brother Smith warned me that you would be very careful as to whom you would set your affections on, and I realize I'm not nearly as good as some--like Sam-- or .... "
"Sh-h," she put her finger to his lips to silence him as she looked up into his eyes.
"Dave, are you blind? Haven't you guessed my feelings for you?"
"You mean you do care?" Dave swallowed his Adam's apple and smiled happily.
"Yes, Dave, I love you very much."
He caught her hand and held it in both of his.
"Jennie, you will never know what this means to me. I thought after--uh--I thought after .... " he could not seem to get it out.
"I understand, Dave," she said sweetly. "You thought you would never love anyone but Carol, didn't you? I'm not at all jealous because you loved her so much. I'm just thankful that after all the heartache you have been through, that God has given you somebody else to love. And I'm more thankful that that somebody is me." Her sweet smile caused Dave's heart to beat more rapidly.
"Thanks for being so understanding, Jennie. I thought when Carol died under such tragic circumstances, that my world had ended, that no one could ever fill that empty place in my life. But it's so refreshing to be with you. You make me feel whole again. I'm thankful that God brought us together.”
"So am I, Dave. There have been several guys that I've been fond of, but I've never felt about anyone the way I do about you. It's great to love and know that love is returned."
"Dear Jennie, that's music to my ears. I guess I'm about the ''luckiest guy in the world."
"Instead of saying we are lucky, let's say we are blessed, Dave."
"You're right, Jennie." Looking at his watch he said, "It's getting late. I must run. That alarm goes off early at my house. Good night, Jennie. You have made me very happy."
"Good night, Dave."
Now that Dave knew that his and Jennie's feelings were mutual, he had a plan in mind. Would she consent to it? He thought about it day and night for several weeks until he made up his mind that the opportune time had come to pop the question.
"I love you so, Jennie, and feel we could be very happy together. Will you make me the happiest man in the world by becoming my wife?"
"Give me a little time, Dave. I need to pray about it."
"Sure, Jennie, but I believe God would be pleased for us to become man and wife."
"You sound convincing, Dave, but I still need a little time. I'll let you know in a day or so."
"Two days from now?" Dave asked jovially. "Let's see, today is Tuesday. I'll ask you again Thursday. That's a good day anyway for we had our first date on a Thursday. Remember?"
"How can I ever forget, Dave? Mother worked so hard trying to fix a meal to please you, then you complimented me on the good cooking."
They laughed heartily as Dave said, "I've discovered since that you are a wonderful cook, though, Miss Taylor. Your mother did a good job teaching you. I'm so glad that I'll soon be eating your good cooking all the time instead of my burnt toast, scrambled eggs, and sandwiches."
"Now, wait a minute, Mr. Maddox. I haven't accepted your proposal yet. I asked for a couple of days. Remember?"
"Excuse me, Ma'am. I guess I'm just so excited that I'm over-reacting. Take your two days but I'm warning you, I won't take 'no' for an answer."
"Dave Maddox, you're impossible."
Dave received the answer he was expecting and they were married in a quiet ceremony by Rev. Smith. Dave felt that he could not go through another church wedding, and because Jennie was so understanding, she yielded her own desires to Dave's wishes. Dave sensed her disappointment, but he appreciated her even more when she told him she had committed it to God, that she did not want her personal desires to mar their happiness. "Dear humble Jennie!" Dave thought.
"Would you feel too badly if we don't take a honeymoon, Dearest?" he had also asked her. "You see, I--I--uh--Ca
rol and I--uh .... " Was he being selfish?
"It's all right, Dave." She tried to hide the disappointment revealed in her expressive face. "I know how hard it has been on you losing your first wife, and I don't want to be responsible for opening old wounds."
What a gal! Dave felt she was the greatest girl in the whole world. And to think, she belonged to him.
After the simple and plain wedding in Rev. Smith's parlor, they drove to their little rented cottage about three miles out of town. As they stopped in front, Dave whispered, "My darling Mrs. Maddox, if I could show you my heart, then you would know how I feel. I love you, Jennie."
"I love you, too, Dave," she assured him. "More than you can possibly realize. God can help us to be a blessing to each other and to a lost world if we will obey Him. Let us pray, Dave, before we start our life together, that God will bless our marriage, that He will keep His hand upon us and help us to be all He wants us to be."
"Sure, Jennie. You pray."
The early weeks of their marriage passed swiftly as Dave and Jennie worked side by side painting the little cottage, sodding grass, planting flowers and shrubs and doing other things together which they both enjoyed. Jennie found satisfaction in preparing Dave's meals and trying to please him in every way. Their happiness was complete except for one thing. Jennie missed her work for the Lord. She had promised Dave to give up her work at the hospital when they married, so now she hardly knew what to do.
As she was spading up a flower bed one morning, the Spirit whispered to her, "Is this the way you intend to spend the rest of your life?"
Jennie felt ashamed. "I'm sorry, Lord," she repented. "I realize Thy vineyard is white unto harvest and the laborers are few. Reveal to me Thy precious will that I may do it."
After much prayer and seeking God's will, Jennie approached Dave. "Dave," she ventured after the supper dishes had been cleared away and they were seated together on the sofa, "I feel condemned because I'm doing nothing for the Lord."
"Doing nothing?" He opened his mouth in astonishment and stared at her. "How can you say that, Jennie? Of course, you're doing something for God. Don't you teach the young people's class at church? And we always give Brother and Sister Cleveland a lift to church when they are able to attend. And didn't you take out time to go with Mrs. Reiding to the doctor with her little boy? Sure you're doing something for God."
"You don't understand, Dave. I stay home all day keeping house, cooking, washing, ironing, weeding flowers, and just idling time. God needs me. There are needy souls whom I need to try to reach."
"Have you forgotten, Mrs. Maddox, that you are a married woman and that your life style has changed?" Dave's voice sounded impatient.
"I know, Dave, but I thought if you would allow me to use the car, I could go to the hospital two or three days a week to visit the patients, as God leads, and read the Bible to them and try to lead some to Christ. I promise you, Dear," she cuddled up close to him, "I won't neglect you in any way. I'll keep up all my work and will be here with your supper ready when you return from work. I'm sure John would be glad to give you a lift to work. He passes right by here and has the same working hours as you have."
"You already have it all figured out, don't you? Now, look Jennie, this issue was settled before we were married. Remember? You promised me you would quit working at the hospital?" His voice was stern. He had never spoken to her so sharply before.
''I'm sorry, Dave, I didn't mean to upset you. I don't intend to resume my former duties at the hospital. I only want to try to help needy souls find God. I didn't think you would mind as long as I was working for God, especially since I won't neglect my duties at home."
"Well, I do mind, Jennie. I don't want my wife to be on the road all the time. I want you to stay at home where a wife belongs. Let's not talk about it any more."
The wounded look on her face caused Dave to take her in his arms. "I'm sorry I've hurt you, Baby. It's just that I can't bear to share you with others."
Through blinding tears she gasped, "Dave, you surely can't mean that. We must be around others if we are to win them to Christ. Precious souls are perishing, waiting for someone to give them the true gospel message. We are God's instruments to get the message out."
"Now, now, Jennie. It's settled. Don't ask again. Your responsibility is here."
Jennie was stunned. When the clock struck two, she was yet wide awake. Troubled thoughts tumbled about in her mind. For the first time since their marriage she had misgivings.
"Dave, my darling, what has happened to you?" she whispered in the dark. Mentally, she reviewed the last few weeks, She recalled the mornings he had hurried through his private devotions, thus neglecting to feed his soul. Though she had been concerned, she had consoled herself with the thought that perhaps he prayed and meditated on the way to work. But summing it up now, she wondered if Dave had not slacked up in his devotions to God. Then, too, she recalled the Sunday Brother Smith had preached on sanctification, how the Spirit had been manifested in an unusual way as God dealt with hearts. She had noticed how Dave had been restless during the service and how he trembled as the altar call was given. She felt then that God was dealing with his heart, but as they had already discussed his need of sanctification before they were married, and Dave had gone to the altar and professed to have obtained the experience, she had not given it any more thought until now. But now, she wondered if Dave had refused to obey God that particular morning? Whatever the reason, something was definitely wrong with Dave, for one could not display such selfishness as he had shown and have a pure heart. Had he been mistaken in thinking he was sanctified wholly or had he rejected light somewhere along the way? “I must double up in praying for him," she thought, "for the enemy is bidding high for his soul."