Gold of Ophir

by Jane Aimee

  Unfortunately, the Pastor couple was not in when they arrived the parsonage that early afternoon. Pastors Carl and Felicity were attending an inter-denominational meeting.

  Their absence made Bethany more anxious. Patrick fell asleep on the couch. Bethany talked with the children but anxiously waited for their parent's return.

  "Auntie Bethany," thirteen year old Jemima said, "are you going to be our auntie?"

  "But Jemima, I'm already your auntie."

  "No, I don't mean church auntie. Are you going to marry Uncle Patrick?"

  "Jemima, Pastor Patrick is my friend."

  "What kind of friend?"

  "Don't mind her, Auntie Bethany," Ruth, the twenty years old eldest child, said. "She's a talkative girl."

  The sound of the car in the driveway was heard. Bethany did all she could do to hide her anxiety from Patrick who was awakened by Jemima. Lord, please intervene; the moment has come."

  Jemima immediately went outside. Her mother had hardly come out of the car when she informed her that Auntie Bethany was in the living room with Uncle Patrick.

  "I think Uncle Patrick is going to marry her," she excitedly informed her mother.

  "Which Bethany are you talking about?" Pastor Felicity asked

  "The one who used to teach the children in Beaumont church," Jemima replied.

  Ruth added, "The musician."

  "Let's get inside," their mother instructed. It is needless to say it: she was totally shocked.

  Patrick and Bethany stood up as they came in. Very strangely enough, Felicity embraced her would-be sister-in-law, exhibiting no sign of shock or hate in her face.

  "Patrick, so that someone was Bethany," Pastor Carl asked, gripping his hand warmly. "You are welcome."

  "I am as shocked as you are, honey," his wife stated. "All the same you are all welcome. Bethany, your music is great. I must tell the truth: you are doing wonderfully."

  "Thank you, Pastor Felicity, I appreciate." Bethany actually felt anxiety leave her as if a heavy cloak was being taken off her shoulders.

  "Bethany, you are welcome," Pastor Carl said. "So you caught the attention of my brother-in-law?" Everyone laughed, including Pastor Felicity.

  "Let her have a taste of the life of a pastor's wife", Pastor Felicity said. "Welcome, sister-in-law-to-be and fellow pastor's wife." Pastor Felicity embraced Bethany firmly.

  As they were treated to a three course meal that evening, Bethany looked forward to the private meeting, in which she expected Pastor Felicity to profusely apologize for her past actions and words. She must not have felt comfortable to do that in the presence of everyone.

  The meeting did come but not the apology. The cleric was happy her brother went for such a talented and devoted singer. And very strangely again, she rationalized her past actions.

  "You know, as a Pastor's wife, you need experience too in different areas. You can't be lopsided. I am sure your time with the kids was a valuable experience for you. That kind of opportunity teaches one about patience in dealing with people we would normally not like to be with."

  What about the gay accusation? What did that teach me? For God's sake, I forgave you. For Patrick's sake, I forgive you. Thank you, Jesus! This hurdle has been dealt with.

  ~~~~

  Chapter Sixteen: The ring on my finger

  Patrick and Bethany's next trip took them Belle-Ville to meet their respective parents. Bethany had not been nervous about informing her parents by phone. If they had been willing to accept Barry, they would not have issues with Patrick since he was from the same region as them.

  Her mum and dad, but especially her mum, were very happy to see Patrick. Mum immediately took a liking for the man. She narrated to her daughter how one of how friends had wearied her with the question 'is Bethany never going to get married?'

  "In the nights, I would lie on my bed, and ask God, 'Lord, what is wrong with my daughter. Isn't she beautiful? Isn't she a good girl? How can her junior ones all be married and she is just there as if no man is interested in her'?"

  Bethany replied with a smile.

  "My dear child, I pray that everything goes well. When you called us some time ago and asked if we could allow you to go with someone out of our region, we accepted, but afterwards we never knew exactly what happened that the man did not come to see us."

  "Mum, I'm sorry. It was such a shameful thing that I could not bring myself to tell you at that time. The man was a scammer. God saved me from disgrace."

  With the blessing of their parents bagged, the next stop was at the office of the pastor of The Grace Tabernacle, Beaumont. Pastor Roy-Leslie Mona accepted to do their premarital counseling

  ~~~~

  The next day after the meeting with the Pastor, an urgent call from Daphne made Bethany to abandon the food she was cooking. She immediately rushed to see her. To her utter surprise and delight she met Patrick there. She did not expect to see him in Beaumont that day. He was in a suit and shirt. Her mind quickly discerned why he had come.

  Daphne got up from where she was seated, and grabbed the camera on the table. Patrick sent his hand into his jacket pocket and brought out the ring. Bethany cross both hands and caressed her arms as Patrick presented his love speech.

  "Bethy, I don't know if I am the man you truly deserve. Five months may seem to be a short time, but I must confess that ever since you came into my life, things have changed in me. For the better. I thought I was intimate with God, and I had become somewhat complacent. With your desire for more intimacy with Him, and with the ministries God has entrusted us with, I feel more compelled to get more intimate with Him. I want to be the godly man God wants me to be. As the spiritual leader of the home we shall build together, I desire and ask God's help so that I may be able to lead my family in and with the fear of the Lord. Bethy dear, would you join me in this journey?"

  Bethany stopped caressing her arms. She quietly stretched forth her left hand. Patrick got down on his knee and slid the golden band on the finger. Then she noticed that her finger was not too neat. That afternoon, she had picked huckleberry leaves. The deep-green colored vegetable usually leaves marks on the nails that need thorough washing to get them off. Her friend had called at the moment when she had placed the pot on the fire. She had not taken the time to brush her nails.

  Patrick stood up on his feet and took her into his warm embrace for a several seconds before releasing his grip.

  "Looks like someone just said their marriage vows," Daphne joked.

  "I thought so too," Bethany joined in the laughter.

  "It's better that way," Patrick said. "On the wedding day, I might be too nervous that I may become tongue-tied."

  "Bethy, you have a comedian in your hands," Daphne laughed.

  After much laughter, Daphne took still photos. She had recorded the proposal.

  "Big sis, you should have hinted me. Take a look at my fingernails. I had not yet washed them after picking vegetables."

  "I guess God arranged it in such a way that I should see the nails in the state I will constantly find them. That's because huckleberry and fufu-corn is my favorite dish."

  Bethany laughed. She was grateful for his comments.

  ~~~~

  Bethany lay on the bed, her chest supported by the pillow. She stared at the ring on her finger. It was not as beautiful as a certain ring she had been offered two years back. Barry's ring. Patrick's ring was plain: no precious stone, and no inscription. It was just a symbol.

  Yet that symbol represented a love she could trust. That symbol represented a love that was not out to deceive her with the said symbol. That symbol stemmed from the love of a man she could trust would nurture and lead a godly home. A love that was ready to encourage her to boldly pursue her calling.

  She remembered how she had cried, when God in His mercy and love, had robbed her of the joy of receiving that ring with a large diamond stone. There was someone for her, yet she had allowed the desire for a golden band on her finger to almost st
op her from ever meeting that godly man. She had let the desire for the band make her to be envious and jealous of others, nurturing evil thoughts about them and accusing God of being unfair.

  She had fantasized about a ring being slid down her manicured finger. Finally it was pushed down a not-too-neat finger. Yet the giver of the ring loved it. Aunt Juddy was right after all. She needed to inform and engage her in prayer for the success of the wedding which was planned for a month's time.

  As she stared again at the golden object, it looked more beautiful. She saw not the ring anymore. She saw her love for Patrick and his love for her. And the children they would bring up. There and then, she made up her mind to do whatever it would take to have a successful marriage.

  Now I know what to teach my children, especially my girl child. My children shall not have to go through the same mistakes I made. A godly man – and woman, is worth more than a piece of gold, fashioned into a circle, decorated or not.

  Slowly, she got up from her position, and knelt beside the bed.

  "Lord, thank you." She remained kneeling for several minutes. No other word came out from her lips. God, who sees the thoughts of man's heart, heard the gratitude of her thoughts and emotions.

  Cupping her face in her hands, she sobbed profusely for the next several minutes.

  ~~~~

  Bethany felt bad that Daphne was her maid. But the good-hearted lady felt it was no shame or humiliation for her. She was happy for her friend and sister, the one with whom she had endured a good dose of the challenges of the single life.

  "I can't say thank you enough," Bethany did not restrain the tears, even though the makeup was done and she was in her white gown, waiting for the driver to take her to church. "For all you've taught me and how much you've influenced my life positively, the Lord will reward you. I truly wish you were the one getting married."

  "I'm glad you won't be leaving Beaumont. It's amazing the way God works."

  "Daphne, I just want to let you know that you are someone special. You are precious, treasured, Gold of Ophir, my one (--)'.

  "Gold of Ophir?" Daphne asked with surprise. "What does that mean?"

  The driver gave signal that he was ready. Bethany turned and whispered to her friend, "I'll explain the meaning after the honeymoon. Let's go."

  The ceremony took place at the Grace Tabernacle, Maylan. It was Patrick's last week in the church. Two weeks back, he had received his transfer to the Beaumont congregation. Since Pastors Carl and Felicity left, only one pastor was brought in, and the church desperately needed another pastor. The children's Pastor had been constantly filling in the vacant position.

  Among the many present at the wedding, including Kaleb, Nancy and Mavis, was Mrs. Gotlieb who sat next to her bosom friend. Pastor Carl was the officiating minister. Pastor Felicity commented on the bride's beautiful look, saying how lucky her brother was to have fallen for her.

  Mrs. Gotlieb whispered into her ear, "it now appears to me that you should have taken Carl's words about her being a Pastor's wife as prophetic rather than a threat."

  Pastor Felicity whispered back, "well, there was nothing prophetic in those words –or maybe there was – but his copious use of superlatives in complimenting her vocal abilities had masked any prophecy clues."

  "You never to cease to amaze me," the elderly lady whispered back.

  END

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  ABOUT THE AUTHOR

  Jane Aimée describes herself simply as a lover of Jesus Christ who has been radically transformed by His unconditional love and grace. She enjoys writing, singing, dancing and encouraging others to live out their full potential in life by pursuing God's good purposes for their lives.

  Upcoming books by Author

  Jedidah Belle Solomon (Beloved of God)

  You can connect with her

  Twitter https://www.twitter.com/janebienaimee1

  Read her Smashwords interview at https://www.smashwords.com/interviews/Wanfeyin