My Father's Gift by Mary M Hall-Rayford Read Free Book Online

concern because his dependence upon her was keeping her from scheduling trips as frequently as she would have liked.  She knew she would be able to pick the pace eventually, so she didn’t allow it to bother her.  Besides, being semi-permanently moored for a while would give her a chance to rest.  She had traveled considerably in the last few years. Slowing down was probably going to be good for her.  “Well,” she thought, “if Daddy plans for me to marry and act like a wife, I guess I’d better get used to the idea of not traveling too often.  That will be a kick.  Me, acting like a wife after all these years.  I sure hope He’s given Cal a clue as to who I am.  I would hate for him to be totally surprised.  Submissive I’m not and I don’t think I want to be.” 
    “Hear that Daddy.  You made me this way and I’m not changing.”  The moment she thought it, she was convicted in her spirit and repented. “Whatever you want me to do, Daddy, I’ll do it.”
    For the next two days, she stayed at home working on manuscripts and speeches for the seminars she would attend.  She grew tired of patiently waiting for Cal’s call.  Several times she was tempted to call him, but she would always hear a voice telling her, “my word says, he who finds a wife finds a good thing, not she who seeks.”  And people thought God didn’t have sense of humor,” she thought smiling.  “Well, if it’s patience you’re trying to teach me, then it’s patience I’m going to learn.” 
    She picked up her bible and after reading a passage of scripture, decided to memorize the verses from the first five verses of the fifth chapter of Romans.  “Therefore, since we are justified through faith, let us grasp the fact that we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.  Through Him also we have access by faith into this grace in which we stand.  And let us rejoice and exult in our hope of experiencing and enjoying the glory of God.  Moreover, let us exult and triumph in our troubles and rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that pressure and affliction and hardship produce patient and unswerving endurance.  And endurance develops maturity of character, and character produces joyful and confident hope of eternal salvation.  Such hope never disappoints or deludes or shames us, for God’s love has been poured out in our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us.”
    She relaxed as she thought about how reading the Word always helped her to get through moments of anxiety and this passage of scripture, was very appropriate.  Her patience would be rewarded and she would not be ashamed of the hope she had in whatever the future held.  She decided it was time to go to bed.  After praying, she put her bible behind her in the bed and went to sleep.
     
     
     
     
     

Chapter Seven
    In her dream a phone was ringing.  Catatonically, she picked up the phone by her bed.
    “Hello.”
    “Good evening, Sister Everett.” Cal said as cheerfully as if it were early morning.
    “Cal, what time is it?”
    “It’s just after eleven.”
    “Well, at least you made it before midnight.” She yawned as she stretched out in the bed.
    “I know it’s late, but this is actually the best time for me to call since the children are asleep and I don’t have to be bothered with other interruptions.”
    “Is this late night calling going to be a habit?  I really like sleeping.” She sat up in the bed, rubbing her eyes.
    “No, but I do feel that the Holy Spirit has more freedom with us when our defenses are down.”
    “What does that have to do with anything?  I don’t put up defenses when I’m talking to people.”
    “That’s not true.  When you’re alert, you anticipate things and prepare for them.  When you are not as alert, you don’t have time to prepare or anticipate so you’re usually more honest with yourself and others.” His tone implied she was far too immature to comprehend what he was