Page 71 of Echoes of Eternity

Turning around, she looked at both of them, letting the silence invade the moment. “What does it mean to be a Christian to you?”

“I won’t let you disrespect me in my own house.” Her father stood up.

“Let?” She shook her head. “Who’s in charge of your life, Dad? Because if I’ve learned anything by staying with you for this little while, I’ve learned it’s not God, it’s you.”

“What? How could you even possibly come to that conclusion?”

“It’s all about you. What we eat, what we do, what we talk about. Every single thing has to benefit you or originate with you, or you have no interest. Even us moving away from California. You were upset because it affected you and your life.”

“Come back and preach at me after you’ve raised a family. You don’t have a clue what you’re talking about.”

“I’m sorry if I was disrespectful, but something had to be said. Thank you for the hospitality you’ve shown me, but I can’t stay here even if you were to let us.”

Emily left the dining room with a calmness in her heart that she hadn’t known before. Though she had no clue where or what she’d do, she knew God would take care of her.

As she packed her bag that night, she got a text from Sarah back in Cedarwood Creek.

It was a video of Ryan talking in front of a crowd.

Listening intently to the words he shared, she touched the screen as tears slipped onto her cheeks. She realized more than ever in that moment—she had been a fool. His lies were forgiven by God, so why couldn’t she forgive him? He was trying to do the right thing. Both with Linda and with the grill. He hadn’t changed like she had thought he had since losing Frank. At his core, he was still the crazy good guy she had married all those years ago. She had just been too blind to see it before. Lifting her heavy heart toward Heaven and with tears running down her cheeks, she prayed and asked God to forgive her.

CHAPTER 19

Taking a sip of his fresh cup of coffee, Ryan took a seat back down at the dining room table where his Bible was spread open to the book of 1 Peter. His daily reading in chapter three had struck a chord in his heart that played to the tune of conviction.

Likewise, husbands, live with your wives in an understanding way, showing honor to the woman as the weaker vessel, since they are heirs with you of the grace of life, so that your prayers may not be hindered.

1 Peter 3:7

The phrase ‘live with your wives in an understanding way’ repeated in his mind over and over. Since losing his father five months ago, he knew he had neglected his wife and children. He felt like a fool for not seeing it before now. He thought of all the times she had been patient with him as he wrestled with grief, supporting him, cherishing him despite his bad temper, shortness with her and the children, and unneeded long work hours. And what had he done in return for all her love? Lie.

Smoothing a hand over his face as his chest and throat tightened, he peered up toward Heaven with tears rolling down his cheeks. Pushing the chair away as he fell to his knees, he prayed, “Please forgive me, Lord.”

After a long bout of weeping in prayer and the comfort of God surrounding him, he climbed back into the chair.

Closing his Bible to conclude his time with God that morning, he took the Bible and walked it over to the counter in the kitchen. Accidentally dropping it, papers shot across the kitchen floor. Gathering the papers together, he found in the midst a laminated Bible verse card from his father. It was a ten-year marriage anniversary gift.

He who finds a wife finds a good thing and obtains favor from the Lord.

Proverbs 18:22

He took a deep breath as the verse resonated with the very depths of his soul that morning. He peered up, his eyes again welling. “Thank You for Emily, God. Please let it not be too late.”

Continuing with his morning, Ryan gave in and finally did some household chores. He vacuumed, did laundry, and washed the dishes. Loading the final plate into the dishwasher, he tossed a tab in and smashed the start button. Taking a pause, he rested his hand against the counter as he shook his head and furrowed his eyebrows. Ryan realized he had married Super Woman. There was no other possible explanation for how she was able to do all the chores daily, plus have a job, and cook every evening.

Going into the bedroom’s ensuite bathroom, he ran a shower.

His phone rang before he got in.

Emily’s name on the caller ID made him feel uneasy. Something was wrong, he could sense it.

Answering, he asked, “What’s wrong, Em?”

Sobbing, she began to hyperventilate.

Raking a hand through his hair, he sat down on his bed. He hated that she was so far away at that moment. “Baby, what’s wrong?”

“My stupid parents.”

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