The Tender Flame

by Al Lacy

  A wide smile graced Lydia’s mouth. “Yes, dear?”

  “My heart has been heavy for you. I know you handle it quite well, but at times you seem so lonely. With Dr. Price gone, there have to be times when this house seems empty. Have you ever considered marrying again?”

  “Oh, I’ve thought about it. In fact, that man of yours has brought it up. He seems to think the Lord is going to send some knight in shining armor into my life who will sweep me off my feet and take away my loneliness.”

  Jessica smiled. They could both hear Josh outside in the yard, trimming bushes.

  “If God has a plan like that,” Lydia said, “He will bring it to pass at the right time, like He always does. I have to get over Clay first, and that’s going to take a while. Jessica, he was a wonderful Christian man, and a good husband. I still miss him terribly.”

  “I know you do, Mom. I wish I could’ve known him.”

  Lydia thought about sharing with Jessica that she went through a crushing experience when another man she was engaged to was killed in the Mexican War. But after a moment, she decided it would sound as though she wanted sympathy, so she let it pass.

  GRANT SMITH’S SONS STOOD BESIDE HIM as he leaned over Carrie’s hospital bed, holding her hand.

  Carrie looked up at Grant with dull, dark-circled eyes. “Please don’t write Jessica about this, darling. It’s just a little setback. I’ll get better. There’s no reason to worry her.”

  “All right, honey. When I write her this week, I won’t tell her you’re in the hospital. But if you’re still in next week—”

  “I won’t be. I’ll be home in a few days. I know you believe Jessica has a right to know what’s going on here, but there’s no reason to upset her needlessly. You can tell her I was in the hospital after I’m home again.”

  Grant leaned over and kissed her cheek. “All right, we’ll do it your way. The boys and I will be back this evening.”

  Both of Carrie’s sons kissed her, then left her hospital room. When they were outside, Daniel said, “Dad, I’m trying to keep an optimistic attitude about Mama, but I’ve got this ball of ice in the middle of my chest.”

  “Me too,” David said. “I don’t think she’s going to live much longer.”

  “We’ve kept your mother in prayer every day. We mustn’t give up hope. We’ve got to keep on praying.”

  Josh and Jessica made plans for the wedding ceremony, using many of Madeline’s wise suggestions. They could hardly contain their excitement as they talked of life after they were married.

  Jessica had been working on their house during the daytime, putting up new drapes and curtains and adding little changes in each room. Josh loved what she was doing and was eager for the day they could make the house their home.

  Late on a Thursday afternoon in early August, Jessica was working in the kitchen when she heard Josh call from the front door, “Hello-o-o! I was told that the most beautiful woman in the world is in this house. Where is she?”

  Jessica appeared in the short hallway with a scrub cloth in her hand. “She left. Will I do?”

  Josh laughed as he took her in his arms. “She did not leave; she’s right here in my arms!” After he kissed her, Josh said, “Where have you been scrubbing this time?”

  “Come into the kitchen. I’ll show you.”

  After Josh bragged on how much cleaner the kitchen looked, he took an envelope out of his hip pocket and handed it to her. “I stopped by the post office for the mail. Here’s a letter from your dad.”

  Josh watched Jessica closely as she unfolded the letter and read it silently. After reading a few lines, her expression changed.

  “Something wrong?”

  “Mama’s been in the hospital. She’s home now and is doing better. Daddy says that, at Mama’s request, he didn’t write to tell me she’d taken a turn for the worse.”

  “Well, praise the Lord she’s better.”

  “Daddy says they’ll all be with us in spirit on August 27. He thanks me for the letters and for those little notes you sometimes add at the bottom. He says they’re very encouraging to Mama. He closes by saying they all send their love and that he loves and misses his ‘sweet baby girl.’ ”

  “You have a wonderful family, honey,” Josh said. “I sure wish they could be here for the wedding.” As he spoke, he pulled a second letter from his hip pocket. “Here’s one from your best friend.”

  “Brenda? Oh, you didn’t tell me you had a letter from Brenda!”

  Josh shrugged. “Sure I did. Just now.”

  “Joshua Cornell, you are impossible!” She laughed as she took the envelope and tore it open.

  The letter from Brenda Simmons was brief. When Jessica had finished reading it, she said, “Josh, she’s such a sweetie. She and Gil were so glad to hear that we’d set the wedding date, and wish they could be here. And look at this.”

  She brought a slip of paper into Josh’s view.

  “A check?”

  “Yes. A wedding gift. A hundred dollars, made out to Mr. or Mrs. Joshua Cornell. Since there is no Mrs. Joshua Cornell yet, you’ll have to cash it.”

  “Oh, good! I need a new hat, and a new pair of boots, and a couple of new shirts, and—”

  “We’ll use it to buy some more things for the house that I talked to you about.”

  Josh threw up his hands. “My daddy told me it would be like this. Poor, helpless men henpecked before they even become husbands!”

  Jessica put a mock scowl on her face. “Poor, helpless men, eh? Well, let’s see if you’re helpless if I want to kiss you.”

  “Oh yes, I’m at your mercy.”

  Josh got his kiss.

  The weeks passed quickly for the young couple. The Lord was blessing their church work and the services at the lumber camp. Casey Harmon did so well at preaching that Josh was now alternating with him regularly on Sunday afternoons. Mary Ann faithfully attended the camp services. It was evident that she and Casey had fallen in love.

  On the night of August 26, Jessica slept fitfully. Toward morning she came groggily awake and turned over in the bed. She barely opened one eye and looked toward the window. It was still dark outside. She was about to drift off to sleep again when her eyes popped wide open. She sat straight up and gasped in a low whisper, “It’s my wedding day!”

  A smile lit her rosy face. She stretched her arms and legs, then slid out of bed and donned her robe. She padded carefully to the nightstand and found the small pile of matches next to the lantern. She fired the wick, and the room filled with a gentle yellow glow. The clock on the wall showed that it was only five minutes after three o’clock.

  Jessica eased into the chair beside her bed, her thoughts filled with visions of the wedding and all the preparations that had been made. Suddenly a bittersweet melancholia stole through her as she thought of her family, and especially of her ailing mother. Memories of her growing-up years flooded her mind, and she cherished the closeness each member of her family had always enjoyed with one another. How she longed to have them with her on this most special day!

  Tears hovered on her long lashes then slid down her cheeks, dropping onto her folded hands. She gave herself permission to mourn for a short time, then bowed her head and sought God’s grace and comfort. When the “peace that passeth all understanding” flooded her heart and mind, she thanked her Lord for His tender comfort and told Him she loved Him from the depths of her soul. She took a handkerchief from the pocket of her robe and dried all traces of tears from her face.

  She smiled as she recalled the wedding practice the previous night. Josh had chosen Casey Harmon to be his best man. Three other young married men from the camp, who had been saved under Josh’s preaching, were his groomsmen.

  Lydia Price had joyfully consented to be Jessica’s matron of honor. She looked dazzling, even at the practice. Mary Ann Cornell and two other young ladies in the church made up the bridesmaids. A seven-year-old boy and his six-year-old sister—children of one of the church families
—were ring bearer and flower girl.

  Jessica had chosen Dr. Emmett Fraser, one of the deacons in the church, to give her away.

  Her smile widened. Everyone had done a beautiful job, and she had no doubt they would follow through in the same way at the ceremony.

  The church was decorated with brilliant summer flowers. The soft flames of gleaming white candles sent out a muted glow over the faces of friends and family who gathered to witness the happy occasion. The pews filled rapidly while the organist softly played hymns. People from the lumber camp were there, as well as townspeople.

  Madeline Farrington and Lydia Price attended Jessica in a small chamber off the vestibule. Jessica’s hair, wedding dress, and veil looked exquisite. Madeline excused herself to make sure the rest of the wedding party was ready.

  While the faint strains of organ music filtered into the room, Jessica took a final look at herself in the full-length mirror on the wall. Lydia, dressed in deep green silk, appeared in the mirror behind her.

  “Mom, I’m sort of shaky inside,” Jessica said, drawing in a deep breath.

  “That goes with being a bride, honey. Enjoy it.”

  Jessica met Lydia’s eyes in the mirror and grinned. Then looking at herself again, she said, “Guess I’m as ready as I can be.”

  There was a tap at the door, and Lydia moved quickly to open it a few inches. She could see people filing into the auditorium as Madeline said, “Lydia, there’s someone out here who would like to have a few seconds with Jessica.”

  Lydia peered past Madeline and saw a young couple standing there. The young woman moved close and said, “Ma’am, I’m Jessica’s best friend. I only need a half minute to let her know I’m here.”

  Jessica heard the familiar voice and darted to the door. “Brenda! I didn’t know you were coming!”

  “May I see you a moment?”

  “Of course!”

  Brenda motioned over her shoulder. “Jessica, that’s Gil.”

  Gil smiled but made no move to come in. “Hi, Jessica! I’ll see you later.”

  “Yes! Nice to meet you, Gil.”

  Brenda came inside the room, where the best friends embraced for a long moment; then Jessica introduced Brenda to “Mom” Price, saying that Lydia had been like a mother to her ever since she arrived in Oregon City.

  “I’ll go join the rest of the bridal party,” Lydia said. “You know when to come out.”

  “Yes.” Jessica hugged Lydia and thanked her for her help.

  When the door closed again, Brenda said, “You look beautiful! I know you need a few minutes to settle yourself, so I’ll slide on out of here too.”

  Jessica’s eyes turned misty. “Oh, Brenda, thank you for coming. What a wonderful surprise!”

  “I told Gil he had to bring me, or I wouldn’t cook another meal for him! So … here I am!”

  Jessica giggled, hugging her friend again.

  “I’d better get out there,” Brenda said, “or Gil and I won’t be able to find a seat.”

  When the door closed behind Brenda, Jessica remained standing in the middle of the room, her hands clasped tight. She was a vision of loveliness in pale ivory satin trimmed in fine lace. Because her mother had helped her make the dress, she almost felt Carrie’s presence.

  Jessica’s jet-black hair was gathered high on her head with ringlets cascading down the back. The simple gossamer veil fell gracefully over her hair and the shimmering satin of her gown.

  She moved to the curtained window overlooking the side street and looked out through the filmy material into the brilliant sunshine.

  “Mama … Daddy … I know you’re thinking of me right now. And though you can’t hear my voice, you can hear my heart. I love you both. Thank you for raising me in the nurture and admonition of the Lord. Thank you for teaching me, from as far back as I can remember, about Jesus and His love, and how He went to the cross to make a way of salvation for me. Thank you for loving each other, and for the love you always demonstrated to my brothers and me. You’ve always set a good example of what a marriage can and should be, and with God’s grace and guidance, my marriage will be as sweet and fulfilling as yours. I love you both with all my heart.”

  After a moment of silence—except for the low strains of the organ coming from the auditorium—Jessica lifted a prayer toward heaven, then moved toward the door. As she picked up her small white Bible tied with ivory satin streamers and topped with a bouquet, her ears caught the change in tempo of the organ music, signaling the bridal party to get in place. Jessica opened the door to find everyone in their assigned positions, with Madeline looking on.

  Dr. Emmett Fraser was there, wearing a wide smile. “My, don’t you look lovely,” he said.

  Jessica thanked him, blushing, then turned her attention to her matron of honor. Lydia looked at her with a question in her kind eyes. Jessica nodded, and a gentle smile skimmed her face, lighting her dark brown eyes from within.

  Jessica took hold of Dr. Fraser’s arm and said, “Thank you for doing this.”

  “I am deeply honored to have the privilege.”

  The organ slid into the gentle strains of the wedding march, and Madeline told the ushers to open the doors. As the doors swung open, every wedding guest turned to look.

  When Jessica and Dr. Fraser passed by Madeline, Jessica whispered, “Thank you, Maddie,” then stopped at the threshold to wait for her cue.

  As the procession made its way down the aisle, Jessica looked past them to Josh, who stood with his groomsmen. It was like a dream. How many times had a scene like this passed across the screen of her mind? But this was no dream. The God of heaven had made her dream a reality. Thank You, Lord! she said in her heart. Thank You!

  The bridesmaids and the matron of honor moved up the steps onto the platform, where the silver-haired pastor stood, a beaming smile on his face. When the only man left on the floor at the altar was the groom, the organ swelled in volume, ringing out the familiar notes to “Here Comes the Bride.”

  Jessica began the long walk down the aisle, her hand resting in the crook of Dr. Fraser’s arm. Flower girl and ring bearer preceded her and her escort.

  The guests rose from their seats. Jessica slowly placed one satin-clad foot in front of the other. She blinked when her eyes met Brenda’s through the veil. What a joy to have her best friend come to her wedding, all the way from Nevada!

  Soon they were near the front, and the two children were climbing the steps together. Jessica’s eyes met Josh’s, and a radiant smile lit up her face, reflecting the joy shining on his. Jessica finished the walk without taking her gaze from Josh’s face.

  The bride was given to the groom by Dr. Fraser, and Jessica placed her hand in the crook of Josh’s arm. Together they ascended the steps to the platform where the wedding party and the pastor stood.

  The ceremony performed by Pastor Farrington was a touching one, in which the Lord Jesus Christ was exalted and the relationship between a husband and wife likened to the relationship between Christ and His church.

  When the ceremony was over, the young unmarried women gathered for the toss of the bride’s bouquet. Mary Ann Cornell caught it.

  As the weeks passed, Pastor Farrington spent a great deal of time teaching Josh about being a pastor. He wanted the young man to be as prepared as possible for the load he would shoulder come April of next year.

  Jessica and Lydia were growing closer as they taught their Bible clubs and the Sunday school class. Jessica also spent many hours each week with Madeline, making calls on the sick and learning from Madeline’s example about being a pastor’s wife.

  More than anything, Jessica loved being Mrs. Joshua Cornell. Her longtime dream had become a reality, and she was an excellent wife and homemaker. Josh worked long and hard, and her deep desire was to give him a sanctuary when he entered their front door and closed out the world. There was such joy in her heart that she carried out her household chores singing or humming thanks to God for His goodness. Though often wea
ry from her work, she felt a contentment in jobs well done.

  She listened intently for Josh’s step on the porch each evening as she prepared supper. Once he was home, all was right with her world. Jessica loved her life, though loneliness for her family often crept in. The newlyweds fell deeper in love each day and enjoyed married life to the fullest.

  Jessica went regularly with Josh and the rest of the gospel team to the Sunday afternoon services at the lumber camp. Mary Ann also went, and she and Jessica often sang solos and duets before the sermon.

  The only real cloud on Jessica’s horizon was her mother’s lingering illness. Letters continued to go back and forth between Jessica and her father. The Smiths were glad to know that she was superbly happy being married to Josh and serving the Lord in Oregon.

  In mid-October a letter came from Daniel announcing that he was getting married in December to a girl in the church whose family had moved to Denver from Iowa. Grant had mentioned Susan Burke in a couple of his recent letters, so Jessica and Josh were not surprised to learn that wedding bells were in the offing. In the same envelope was a letter from David, telling them he would be graduating from high school a year early and would soon be writing to his congressman about an appointment to West Point. David closed his letter by saying they really needed to be praying for Mama. She was getting worse again.

  A few days later, another letter came from Grant. The Cornells were at the supper table when Jessica read the letter to Josh. When the tears started down her cheeks, Josh left his chair and knelt beside her, saying, “Sweetheart, I’m sorry. I wish I could take the pain from your heart.”

  “Oh, Josh. I have so hoped that the Lord was going to make Mama better.”

  Josh held her for a long moment, then said, “I want to show you a verse of Scripture that has stood out in my mind for the past few days.”

  He hurried to the cupboard, where they kept a Bible for reading at the table. He knelt beside her again, flipped pages, and laid the Bible before her. “Psalm 18:30. Can you see to read it?”

  Jessica wiped the tears from her eyes. “I can now.”