Promise of Blessing by Terri Grace Read Free Book Online Page B

soon became apparent that something was terribly wrong. As a toddler, little Mary-Beth would sit or lie on the floor, barely moving. Even crawling was an effort for her. An examination by Doc Everson left the household shaken. Mary-Beth’s tiny bones had been broken multiple times – the result of 19 months of abuse from the very people who should have been the little girl’s protectors. Doc explained that she must have been dropped and thrown on more than one occasion, and the breaks and fractures had never been tended to. As a result, as Mary-Beth grew she often could barely walk a few feet before her knees and ankles ached so badly that she had to stop and rest.
    Mary-Beth was now a beautiful young woman of seventeen. However, the disabilities in her legs had caused many a suitor to look the other way rather than pursue a life-long relationship with her.   This affected her deeply, but she didn’t let another soul know of her pain.   She knew that when God was ready, He would bring her to the husband she was destined to be a help-meet to.
    As she secured her auburn colored hair back into a tight bun, she smiled at her reflection in the mirror.   Even though she was saddened by not having any prospects for marriage, she still enjoyed a wonderful life.   She had her grandparents to thank for that.  
    Her grandparents were getting far along in years.   They were her mother’s parents, and they loved her deeply from the time they had taken her just a few months before her second birthday.   From what she had understood, her father was a no-good alcoholic, and her mother fell under his spell. They had eloped and one day appeared at her grandparents’ front door with a dirty toddler in their arms.   Alice, her mother, had asked if they could watch her for a few days while she and her husband found work and shelter.   Neither had ever returned.
    After they had helped Mary-Beth to learn to walk on her crippled legs, her grandparents wouldn’t have let her parents take her back even if they had turned up on their doorstep again.   She was theirs now, and they loved her deeply.   She loved them in return.  
    As of late, they had begun to show signs of their old age and had begun to urge Mary-Beth to try to find someone who would take care of her when they were no longer around.   While this saddened her, Mary-Beth knew that they were right.   She could care for them now, but when they were gone, she would be utterly alone.  
    While all of the other young women of Boston had found suitors and were betrothed to be married, she found herself alone and longing for the love that she was witnessing all around her.   Tilly, her best friend, had just recently answered a letter in the Matrimonial Times for a mail order bride.   She had told Mary-Beth that he had responded, and she would be moving west in a few short weeks.   The thought of doing the same occurred to Mary-Beth, but she was afraid that any respectable farmer wouldn’t want a woman who could barely walk.   So she wished Tilly well and made her promise to keep in touch.
    And so another day was beginning for Mary-Beth.   Even though she was happy to help her grandparents, a part of her ached for the life that she was watching all the girls her age entering.   She prayed for her chance at happiness and softly sang of Christ’s love and saving blood as she slowly took step by painful step from the bedroom, and downstairs to the kitchen.

    Mary-Beth was surprised to find that today Grandmother had already prepared breakfast for her.   Mary-Beth felt slightly guilty because she knew that any housework was difficult for the ageing woman.   Even though not a word had been spoken about her taking over the household chores, Mary-Beth felt that it was her duty and responsibility, and she gladly did all she could to make her grandparents more joyful lives.
    “Good morning, child.   How are you feeling this morning?   Your legs seem a little stiff.”