When they reached the chorus, joy and hope filled Marilee’s soul as it always did when she sang this song. To think the Lord could use her―or any of His children―never failed to humble her.
Broken things.
Broken things.
Our God still chooses to use broken things.
“Break Thou myself,” oh, make my heart sing,
For God can use this broken thing…
They finished the piece, harmonizing on the last few notes, and tingles flittered down Marilee’s spine. Perfect. May You be glorified, Lord, she prayed.
With the number completed, the music director led the congregation in a hymn, while the choir members gracefully exited the loft and headed for the practice room where they deposited their music. Next they made their way through the lobby and into the sanctuary.
Setting out to find a seat of her own, Marilee spotted Logan at long last. Wearing khaki dress pants, a French-blue shirt, and coordinating tie, he stood near the doorway with two rough-looking teenagers. When he saw her, he smiled and waved her over.
“I want you to meet a couple of people,” he said as she approached. As usual, his chestnut-brown hair was slightly mussed. “This is Eddie Russo.” He indicated a young man with four tiny hoops pierced through each earlobe and a tiny, diamond nose ring. “He’s sixteen, and this is his first time here. The two of us met yesterday at the basketball hoop in the park and I invited him to church.”
“It’s nice to meet you.” Marilee gave him a sincere smile and extended her right hand.
Eddie took it and she noticed his loose, uninterested grip.
“And this is Kate Thompson.” Logan nodded toward a young lady with dyed black hair, dark eye makeup, and a pasty complexion.
“Hi, Kate. I’m Marilee. Good to meet you too.” They shook hands and Marilee sensed some enthusiasm from the girl. “Do you guys need seats? If so, you’re welcome to sit with me.”
Kate glanced at Eddie, who shrugged again.
Logan leaned toward Marilee. “They just came from this morning’s Bible study and they’re debating whether to stay for service.”
“I see...” She grinned politely at both kids then looked into Logan’s eyes. They were smiling back at her in a way that made her knees weak. “Maybe we could sit together.”
“I’ll look for you once these two decide what they’re going to do.” Logan smiled.. “Oh, and by the way...” He took Marilee’s elbow and guided her a few steps away. “Steve and Nora invited us to lunch. They’ve got an old friend with them this morning―someone who knew my dad. And get this, my dad led this woman to Christ when she was a teenager.”
Marilee inhaled sharply. “Your dad?” She knew something about Sergeant Callahan’s background and couldn’t begin to fathom why Logan had elected to move in with him. His father behaved about as antagonistically toward the gospel as Saul had toward the early church. How was it possible that he led someone to Christ?
“It’s true.” Logan’s expression seemed a blend of elation and disappointment. “I confronted Dad and he verified it. But what bothers me is that I sense he’s hurt or angry or bitter…maybe all three, and he refuses to talk to me about it. My guess is that he’s never talked to anyone about it.”
“And it’s eating him up inside.”
“Something like that.” Logan glanced over his shoulder at the teens. “I guess we’d better finish this discussion at a later time. Right now I’ve got some convincing to do.”
Marilee took the hint. “I’ll be praying.”
“Thanks.” Logan’s brown-eyed gaze momentarily caressed her face before he turned his attention back to Eddie and Kate.
With her heart soaring, Marilee entered the sanctuary.
* * *
Allie smiled a thank-you as the waitress set down the chicken salad-stuffed croissant in front of her. She watched as the rest of the table was served. Steve, Nora, their three children, Logan and his girlfriend, Marilee.
Allie’s smile broadened as her gaze rested on the young lady. If ever a name fit a personality, it was Marilee―as in “merry.” She seemed friendly, outgoing, quick to smile and laugh, eager to please, although she also had a very academic look about her. Her straight, cocoa-brown hair had been gathered back in a plastic, tortoise-shell clip and she wore fashionable, dark-rimmed glasses. Allie soon learned her speculations were correct. Marilee taught third grade at the Christian day school affiliated with the church Logan helped pastor and from the reactions from everyone around her, it appeared to Allie that Logan Callahan had found a gem in Marilee.
The object of Allie’s scrutiny suddenly met her gaze. The young woman flashed a grin that caused Allie to notice the twin dimples on Marilee’s face.
“That was a beautiful number the choir sang this morning,” Allie said.
“I’m glad you thought so. That piece is one of my favorites.”
Marilee scanned the table and seeing the waitress still in the process of serving, she looked back at Allie. “Are you staying in the area, Mrs. Littenberg?”
Yes, I’m at the Sheraton downtown. But I’ll soon be moving to an extended-stay hotel.”
“Downtown Chicago? Oh, the traffic alone can be intimidating.”
“Not for me. I’m accustomed to large cities.”
“That’s good.”
“Besides, Allie grew up here,” Steve interjected. He smiled before adding, “Let’s pray, shall we? Logan, how ‘bout you do the honors, huh?”
“Sure.”
Allie bowed her head reverently while Logan asked the blessing. Then, as the eating commenced, Steve continued on in his previous vein.
“Allie used to be a waitress in Chicago in the days of hippies, protests, and riots.”
“That was a lifetime ago.” Allie suddenly felt as old as Moses, but she laughed in spite of herself.
Steve chuckled as well.
“How did you meet my father?” Logan stuck a straw in his soda.
“He arrested me.”
“No way!”Logan looked amused.
Allie nodded. “My stepfather had the police pick me up because I ran away from home. Later, I met your dad again during one of those riots your uncle just mentioned.” Her gaze momentarily flitted to Steve.“He recognized me as being from Oakland Park and pulled me out harm’s way.” Allie smiled sadly, glancing at her plate. “He certainly was something of a hero back them.”
“Still is. Dad’s gotten awards for his bravery in the line of duty.”
“I don’t doubt it.”
“I think he could have really climbed the ladder of success inside the OPPD, except he hates desk jobs. He’s always got to be out and working with the public, so his options for advancement are limited.”
“Well, that,” Steve added, “and the fact he got injured.”
Allie tipped her head, curious. “How did he get hurt?”
“Gunshot wound. The bullet hit his left thigh.” Logan popped a french-fry into his mouth. “If he’s tired he limps, but Dad tries not to let anybody see.” He gave a wag of his head. “Except somebody saw. One of his higher-ups, and now he’s being forced into early retirement―because he’s too stubborn to take an administrative position.”
Nora shook her head, wearing a remorseful look. “I didn’t know this, Logan. Your father will die if he can’t work.”
“Will he?” Logan countered, his dark eyes shining earnestly. “Or will he finally have to deal with some issues from his past―namely my mother, whoever and wherever she is.”
Fork in hand, Allie picked at her sandwich. His words surprised her. Whoever or wherever? Logan didn’t know? A wave of empathy washed over her. Had Logan Callahan, like her own son, had managed to emerge from his parents’ messes unscathed. She considered him from across the table. At twenty-eight years old, Logan had likely dealt with his own set of...issues.
“Maybe Jack will pick up a hobby,” Steve said. “Like woodworking or something. Maybe I’ll even get to finally teach him how
to use a computer!”
Chuckles flittered around the table.
“Maybe Uncle Jack’ll have time to come to my school again and talk about being a policeman,” Rachel Callahan piped up, appearing hopeful.
“Maybe,” Nora replied. Or maybe he’ll have time for a lot of things he never used to be able to do because he was working all the time.”
Marilee tipped her head. “That’s an awful lot of maybes.”
Allie silently agreed.
“Yes, but God can do anything,” Logan bit into his broiled steak sandwich.
This time Allie voiced her concurrence. She knew firsthand how God could take an impossible situation and work it all for good. After all, she’d lived through Romans 8:28 dozens of times during the course of her ill-fated marriage. And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.
Allie sighed inwardly. If she’d only been a strong believer when she met Erich, she would have known better than to marry him, a man who thought God and the Bible were useless sentiments. But the delicate threads of her faith had deteriorated after moving to California, and Erich had been so utterly charming...at first.
“Mrs. Littenberg?”
At the sound of her name, Allie pried herself from her musings. Logan gazed at her questioningly. “Yes?”
“I said I’d like to throw my dad a retirement party. Would you be willing to come?”
“Well, um, I don’t know...”
“He’s really not an ogre.”
“What are you talking about?” Steve smirked.. “Jack wasn’t an ogre Friday night when he stopped by. He was in one of his polite moods.” Steve rolled his eyes.
Allie raised an equivocal brow while Nora chuckled softly.
“And don’t let my aunt and uncle bully you into staying away from Dad’s party, either.” Logan sent the couple a quelling glance before looking back at Allie.
“Don’t worry, I’m not scared off that easily. But I will have to check my schedule. What’s the date?”
“Haven’t decided yet. Depends on when the police force gets Dad to retire.”
“Better make it the Twelfth of Never then.” Steve’s sarcasm made Allie grin.
A few more remarks were made in jest before the topic changed and the remainder of the meal progressed pleasantly. After they’d finished, Allie and the Callahan family sauntered toward the front door of the restaurant. Steve wouldn’t allow Allie to make it her treat and while he paused at the cash register to pay the bill, she and everyone else stepped outside onto the sidewalk. Allie lifted her face to the sunshine, realizing that this coming week marked the last days of August.
“Mrs. Littenberg?”
Lowering her chin, she found Logan gazing at her. He wore a heavy expression.
“Call me Allie.”
“Okay.” He inclined his head. “Allie, I don’t know how close you once were to my dad, but I’ve sensed this weekend that you used to be very important to him. He hasn’t slept well since Friday night and he’s been grumpier than ever.” Logan paused as if he were unsure how to continue. “I’ve been praying for him for a long time. I’m burdened for him.”
“I know. I can tell.” A strange sense of purpose fell over Allie. Lord, is this why I came back? To help Logan―to help Jack somehow?
“Every so often, I see glimmers of the real Jack Callahan,” Logan went on, “the one buried beneath that rock-hard facade of his.” A rueful smile worked across his mouth.. “Well, I just wanted you to know that I think there’s hope for him.”
“There’s always hope, Logan.”
“Right, but I’m thinking maybe you are that hope.”
“Perhaps, but it won’t be me to work a miracle. It’ll be God.”
“True, although the Lord delights in using His people, and I think He might use you.”
“I hope he does.” Allie cast her gaze off in the distance, across the busy street to where some children were playing basketball on a fenced-in, asphalt playground. Did she? Did she really? True, she’d been almost preoccupied with thoughts of Jack Callahan for the past several weeks. However, she wasn’t sure if she had the strength to deal with another volatile man.
Turning back to Logan, she noticed that Marilee had come to stand beside him, her arm looped around his left elbow.
“We never know how God will use a believer to accomplish His will.” Allie looked from one to the other. “But I’ve tried assuming God’s thoughts before and my good intentions backfired. Now, you could be right, Logan. The Lord might use me to bring your dad back around. But be assured, I will not step out on my own.”
He grinned broadly. “I wouldn’t want you to. I just wondered how open you’d be to stepping out at all.”
Marilee smiled and looked up adoringly at Logan who just stood there grinning sheepishly.
Allie couldn’t suppress a laugh. “Listen, Pastor Callahan,” she retorted, “save your antics for your youth group.”
“Yes, ma’am.” He failed to wipe the amusement off his face.
Steve stepped out of the restaurant and they all began walking toward the parking lot and their respective vehicles. After thanking him for lunch, Allie climbed behind the wheel of the rented Cavalier and stuck the key into its ignition. An odd sense of doom settled over her. If she hadn’t already signed a contract with Lakeland Enterprises, she’d be tempted to buy a one-way ticket back to California―fast!
Chapter Four
Logan stared out over Lake Michigan. The view from the balcony of Marilee’s parents’ high-rise apartment was inspiring. The vast body of blue-green water stretched as far as the eye could see, meeting the dusky evening sky at the horizon. The sight was certainly indicative of any implied portrayal of eternity he’d seen in books or hanging on art gallery walls. A sense of peace enveloped him as he gazed upon God’s magnificent creation.
“I really love water, ocean, lake or river,” he murmured. “There’s just something about it.”
“I agree,” Marilee stood beside him. “I sometimes wish my parents had lived here while I was growing up instead of in Lake Forest.”
Lifting his glass, Logan took a long drink of his lemonade. “Maybe I should plan a waterskiing activity for the youth group before it gets cold.”
“You’ve got about a month.”
“Yeah.” He swirled the ice cubes around in his glass. “Wish I’d have thought of waterskiing earlier.”
“Oh, Logan, those teens have done everything but water-ski.” Marilee smiled..“We’ve taken them rafting, camping, swimming, horseback riding...not to mention the amusement park we went to last weekend.”
“Guess you’re right.” Logan couldn’t hide his grin.
“Of course I am. Your youth staff has kept those kids busy and out of trouble this summer. And you’ve kept us busy!”
Logan chuckled, thankful for Marilee’s honesty. She was the first Christian woman he’d dated who didn’t practice passive resistance, a tactic that grated on his nerves. He much preferred a candid reply to concealed disagreement and feigned acquiescence.
“Logan?”
“Hmm?”He turned and gazed down into Marilee’s questioning, chocolate-brown eyes.
“You’ve been a million miles away today. And I didn’t hear from you all weekend. I hope there doesn’t have to be a youth activity in order for us to see each other.”
Logan gave her a smile. “No, there doesn’t have to be a youth activity.”
“I thought maybe you had second thoughts...”
“No, Marilee. I’m not having second thoughts about our relationship. Not a single one.” He brushed back a few strands from her cheek, “It’s just that with Mrs. Littenberg arriving in town on Friday, my conversation with my dad that night, then mounds of paperwork to sort through and phone messages to return yesterday, I just got busy. But I guess I could have found a few minutes to give you a call. I apologize.”
Marilee took his hand and hel
d it between both of hers. “Maybe I expect too much.”
Logan’s heart swelled with affection. He longed to pull her into his arms, hold her close, and soothe her insecurities. However, he embraced a strong, personal conviction regarding limited physical contact between men and women during their dating season, and he occasionally shared these views with his youth group.
Sure, his ideas sounded old fashioned and even backwards to a modern society, but Logan knew from experience that promises between couples didn’t always materialize at the altar. Therefore, he figured it was better to err on the conservative side than give into feelings that only muddied the waters later. Besides, the teens at church were watching him, and Logan had vowed early on to practice what he preached.
However, it sure made things hard on a guy. If he and Marilee didn’t get married soon, he’d likely go crazy despite his senior pastor, Noah Warren’s assurance that this process was developing Logan’s “character.”
What’s more, if he didn’t get married soon, he just might be out of a job.
Pulling his hand from Marilee’s soft grip, Logan strolled the length of the balcony. Two years ago, when he was offered the position of youth pastor at Parkway Community Church, Logan had been engaged. He and Sarah Malloy began dating while Logan was completing his Masters Degree. Sarah was an undergrad in her senior year at the same college. Over the Christmas break, they’d met each other’s friends and family. Everyone approved. Everything seemed wonderful.
After graduation, Logan asked her to marry him, and Sarah said yes. Unfortunately, they were separated during the following summer months. Sarah kept busy, planning their wedding. However, as the day grew closer, Logan became more and more unsure. While he couldn’t put his finger on anything specific, he couldn’t seem to shake the feeling that Sarah Malloy wasn’t the woman for him. When he phoned her at her parents’ place in Michigan and expressed his concerns, Sarah turned quiet, refusing to discuss the matter.
She was hurt, Logan knew. But he needed reassurance. He never received it. Two days later, Sarah called off the wedding, leaving Logan with his own wounds. How could she could give up on their relationship so easily? She had professed to love him―enough to agree to marry him. But obviously her “love” hadn’t been strong enough to weather his gale of insecurity, and Logan realized his inner promptings had been correct―Sarah wasn’t the one for him.
Broken Things (Faded Photograph Series) Page 4
