“Everything looks so yummy,” Madison said, as she took her seat between her mother and grandmother. Under the table, she tugged at her short skirt, bringing it as close to her knees as it would go.
“You’ve outdone yourself again, Grandma,” Michelle added, giving Joan a hug before joining her daughter at the table.
Sheila popped up and disappeared into the kitchen, returning with a box of matches. She proceeded to light the votives, adding a flickering glow to the atmosphere. “There,” she said. “Now we are really ready to begin.” Then helping her mother into her seat, Sheila sat down, too.
Joan looked around the circle and smiled. What a treasure these girls are to me, she thought. And suddenly she felt as if she might begin to cry. No time for tears, you silly old woman, she chided herself. Then, reaching toward her daughter and granddaughter, she said, “Shall we pray?”
The four women joined hands as Joan asked the blessing. “Dear Heavenly Father, it is with full hearts that we thank You for this time together.” She paused to clear her throat and the emotion in her voice. “At this most special time of year, when we get ready to celebrate the birth of Your Son, we treasure our family so very much.” Thoughts of her dear Phil, who was celebrating yet another Christmas face-to-face with God, rushed into her mind. Then she rallied herself and finished her prayer with, “Please bless this food to the nourishment of our bodies and this fellowship to the encouragement of our souls. In Jesus’ name, amen.”
Sheila was immediately on her feet again, taking the teapot around the table and serving all of them. Next, she served the sandwiches and scones, followed by the sweet cream. Then, taking her seat again, they all began enjoying the delicious tea and treats.
“I’m so glad you do this every year, Grandma,” Michelle said. “It helps me get refocused after the final hectic week at school before the break.”
Madison agreed. “It’s like this is the kick off to Christmas,” she said with a grin.
“I’m just glad you girls have time for it,” Joan said, her heart warmed by their comments. “Remember when we used to do this with the neighborhood moms and their daughters?” she asked Sheila.
“Of course I do, Mom. It was the big hit of the season.” She took a bite of her scone and added, “especially these. Christmas tea was the only time you made the cranberry scones, and everyone loved them so much.” She glanced over to Michelle and Madison. “Tea parties were your Grandma Joan’s specialty. We had one about every two to three months to celebrate some occasion. She’d make blueberry scones or cinnamon scones, but the cranberry ones were always for Christmas.”
Joan smiled as she thought back to birthday parties, end of the school year gatherings, and lazy summer afternoon teas with her friends and their daughters. Life had been good to them, and her heart was full of the blessing of sweet memories.
As they enjoyed their party, she reflected on how each of them had changed and grown over the years. Sheila was now well into her sixties, yet she had the fresh glow of love from her recent marriage to Rick. Michelle was a seasoned teacher, and her daughter was becoming a young woman. I must be very old, she thought to herself. But inside, I don’t feel all that different. I can still remember clearly the rush of new love, the joy of becoming a mother, and the ministry of being a pastor’s wife.
“Mom?” Sheila’s voice interrupted her thoughts.
“Yes?”
“You look like you’re deep in thought.”
All eyes were on her. Joan smiled and sighed. “I’m just thinking about how blessed my life has been.” She reached over and patted her daughter’s hand, noticing a shadow in Madison’s countenance. “I heard your friend Luke is home from college,” she said to Maddie with a smile.
Madison nodded, but her face did not light up the way Joan had expected. I guess we will be spending some more time together over that sweet one tonight, Lord, she thought silently.
Although her vision was fading, and she’d had to give up her volunteering at the elementary school, God had replaced it with a vibrant prayer ministry. What a blessing to know that she still had a purpose, even as she stepped into her nineties. Prayer was something she’d always be able to do.
So many of her family members were busy with work or school or other life demands. But she could faithfully carry their needs and concerns to the throne of grace on a daily basis. The only thing that would be better would be to have Phil there by her side, leading them both in their intercessions. But, even though she could not see him, she suspected he was actually doing just that from the other side of the veil. And it gave her great peace and joy each time she went to prayer.
After the tea party was over, Sheila offered to give Madison a ride home, since Michelle had some Christmas errands to run. The three of them helped Joan clear the table and do the dishes, and Sheila made sure the candles were out before they left. It was likely Joan would take her afternoon nap once they were gone, and she’d forgotten about lit candles in the past.
On the way home, Sheila asked, “So how are things going with Luke?”
“What do you mean?” Madison replied.
“I mean between the two of you. You do like him, right?” She hoped she wasn’t overstepping her bounds, but she and Michelle were both concerned and wondering where Madison stood with him now.
“It doesn’t matter how I feel,” Madison replied.
“Why would you say that? He seems like he really cares about you, honey.”
“He might care about me, but not the way you think, Grandma. And even if he did, I could never go there. Not now.”
Sheila glanced over at her. Regret—it was so toxic. She hated to see her granddaughter drowning in it. “You know, Maddie, none of us are perfect. Even Luke.”
Madison nodded. “Yeah. But I’m not talking about being perfect. I’m talking about the kind of girl Luke deserves, and it’s not me.”
“But shouldn’t you let Luke decide that?” Sheila asked.
“Could we just drop this, please, Grandma? I know you mean well, but there’s no way it could ever work between Luke and me. Okay?”
An arrow pierced Sheila’s heart as she realized the victory darkness had won in Madison’s heart and mind. Oh please, Lord. Help her find her way out of this sea of self-condemnation and worthlessness.
They rode in silence for the last few minutes. Then Madison reached over and gave her a hug before getting out of the car. “I love you, Grandma. I’m sorry if I was short with you. It’s just hard for me to talk about Luke right now. Maybe it’ll be easier after he goes back to school.”
Sheila nodded. “I understand, honey. Just don’t short sell yourself. God still loves you as much as He ever did, and so do I.”
“I know,” she replied, “and I’m really thankful for that.” But her voice did not sound convinced.
That night over dinner, Rick could see that Sheila wasn’t herself. “Are you feeling alright, sweetheart?” he asked.
Sheila looked up at him and replied, “Yeah. I’m fine. I’m just worried about Maddie.” She paused and then added, “She’s so down on herself.”
He put his hand over hers. “She’s young. Give her time. I think eventually she’ll snap out of it.” He hoped his words sounded reassuring. There was a fine art to this husband thing, and he was still trying to find his way.
“I was really hoping Luke’s homecoming for Christmas might do the trick,” Sheila continued, “But she’s totally closed off to the possibility of anything ever developing between them.”
Oh. I see where this is going, he reflected silently. “So you were hoping they’d become a couple, right?”
“Don’t you remember how cute they were together when Madison was in junior high?” she asked, her voice sounding almost defensive.
What do I say now? “Of course I do. But things change. They’re both older now, especially Luke. Going off to college is a big step in maturity. A high school girl may seem pretty young to him at this point.”
He nodded. Rubbing his hand over his face he thought about the situation. “You tried to talk to her about it, right?”
“Yes. But she cut off the conversation.”
“Is there anything I can do?”
His wife took his hand. “Just help me pray for her. There’s something in me that just says those two belong together. I don’t know exactly why. But I can’t shake it.”
“Prayer I can do,” he replied, relieved to have a direction to take.
They joined their hearts in a prayer of intercession for Sheila’s granddaughter, Rick hoping his words would match the fervency he could see his wife was feeling about Madison’s troubles. And then Sheila reached over and placed her hand on his cheek. “I love you, Rick,” she said in a voice that told him he’d met her need.
“And I love you, my beautiful wife,” he replied, standing and pulling her up and into his arms. They kissed and Rick felt his body responding to hers. “Shall we turn in early tonight?” he asked.
She smiled and replied, “I just need to clear off these dishes and then I’m ready.”
“How about if I do the dishes in the morning?” he asked with a wink.
“Promise?”
“I promise,” he replied as he took her hand and led her to their room.
Joan was about to climb into bed when she remembered she’d wanted to say a special prayer for her great granddaughter. Knowing that she’d likely drift off into dreamland if she prayed after she got under the covers, she sat down on the edge of the mattress and gazed at a photo of Phil on the nightstand as she began to pray. Her heart filled with love, she felt the power of God surge through her veins as she began to intercede for Madison.
Oh Father, You know my concerns already. And I believe You are doing a mighty work in our precious Maddie.
She glanced at the photo again and remembered how Phil had been able to make their great grandkids laugh. Although he was gone, his love lived on in all of them.
Returning to her purpose, she continued to pray silently. Even though you are already at work, I know You want Your people to pray. So here I am. And tonight I especially want to intercede for Madison’s future. She seems so defeated. The enemy is after her, Father. And she doesn’t yet recognize that You have secured her victory.
Oh that wretched devil. He wants to convince her she’s not worthy of love, especially the love of a good young man like that Luke fellow. Would You please open her eyes, Lord? Help her to really understand the cross and the cleansing power of Jesus’ blood? It’s all she needs. It’s all any of us need.
She paused and waited for what to pray next.
And Father, if You do have a plan for Madison and Luke to be together, would You give that young man the confidence to reach out to Maddie? Would You help him have wisdom beyond his years to grasp the wonder of grace and his possible role of communicating that to her?
Joan waited again in the silent stillness of her room. And then it happened. A peace filled her heart, and she knew her prayer was finished. With a quick Thank you, Lord, she pulled back the covers and climbed into bed. It was only eight-thirty, but she was soon in a deep sleep.
Madison was in her bedroom reading a few emails when her cell phone rang. The screen showed Luke’s picture, one she’d taken shortly before he left for Missouri that summer. Her heart danced in her chest as she hit the answer button.
“Hi, Luke,” she said, trying to sound relaxed and casual in her tone.
“Hi there. What are you up to?” he asked.
“Not much. How about you?”
“I was thinking of going to the show. Wanna come along?”
She hesitated for a moment. Was he asking her out?
Before she could reply, he piped up, “It’s that new sci-fi film playing at the Town Cinema, Inclusion. Have you heard of it?”
“About the guy who discovers a secret language transmitted from space with some kind of hidden warning?”
“Yeah. That’s it,” he said. “Kind of a guy movie, I guess. But I just thought I’d see if you were interested.”
Normally it wasn’t a movie she’d choose to see, but something about Luke’s voice sounded different. Almost lonely. And she knew he wasn’t expecting anything more than friendship from her. She could do that. Right?
“Okay, yeah.” she replied. Glancing at the clock she noticed it was already after eight. “What time does it start?”
“Eight-fifty. I’d need to pick you up in about twenty minutes. Is that too soon?”
She stood and glanced into the mirror. Finger combing her hair into place, she replied, “No, that should be fine.” Then she thought about it for a moment. She was just getting settled back into living at home. “Let me run it by my parents, and I’ll call you back in a few.”
“Sounds good,” he replied.
Madison found her dad sitting in his recliner watching the news while her mom was finishing addressing Christmas cards. She cleared her throat to get their attention and her dad hit the mute button on the remote. “Something up?” he asked.
“Luke just called. He wants to know if I can go to the show with him.”
Her mother’s eyebrows arched. “Really?”
“Yeah. It’s that new movie, Inclusion.”
“Are we talking about tonight?” Steve asked.
“Yeah. Is that okay? It starts at eight-fifty.”
He glanced down at his watch and then over at Michelle, who gave him a nod. “Okay, so you’ll be home before midnight?”
“For sure,” Madison promised.
“If this were anyone else, I’d probably hesitate,” her father warned. “But I trust Luke, so go ahead and have a good time.”
“Thanks, Dad. And don’t worry about staying up for me. I’ll take a key.”
Her parents exchanged glances again. She could tell they were trying to find the right balance between setting boundaries and trusting her. “I want you to come into our room and let me know when you get home,” her mother said. “I’ll be setting my alarm clock for twelve-fifteen. Just tell me you’re home, and shut off the alarm before you go to bed.”
Madison smiled and nodded. That had been their policy in the past. Before Miles. If she happened to be going somewhere that involved a late night return, her mother always set an alarm to wake up fifteen minutes after Madison was due back. That way she’d wake up and know if her daughter hadn’t made it home yet.
“And be sure Luke walks you to the door,” her father added.
“Dad, you know Luke,” she replied. “There’s no way he’d drop me off at the curb.” She gave him a kiss and thanked him, then headed upstairs to call Luke and quickly get ready.
Fifteen minutes later, she heard the doorbell and then her parents’ voices mingled with Luke’s. Grabbing her purse and tossing her phone into it, she made one last check in the mirror and then went to greet him.
“We told Madison to be home by twelve,” her father was saying as she approached.
“No problem. We should be back by eleven-thirty,” Luke replied. “The movie’s only an hour and twenty-five minutes long.”
As they walked out to the car, Madison again felt the awkwardness and stiffness she now felt with Luke. It was so different to be with a guy who wasn’t draping his arm over her shoulder and copping a feel from time to time. For just a brief moment, she imagined what it would look like if the two of them really were a couple. She flashed on an image of them holding hands—a memory from her junior high days.
Luke clicked the car fob to unlock the doors and then opened hers for her, waiting for her to be seated before closing it. Then he jogged around the front to the driver’s door and climbed in. “I’m glad you could make it,” he said with a warm smile.
“Me, too,” she replied.
As they
took their seats in the theater, she noticed him turning off the volume on his cell phone and followed suit. Soon the theater was dark and they were immersed in the drama of this suspenseful tale. At one point, a hand reached out and touched the shoulder of the main character as he was intently decoding a cryptic message of doom on his computer screen. It jolted not only the character, but many in the theater as well, including Madison, who instinctively reached out and grabbed Luke’s arm as she gasped for air.
He turned and smiled at her, putting his other hand over hers and giving it a squeeze before releasing it.
She could feel her cheeks flushing hot and red and was thankful for the darkness surrounding them. A little while later, another tense scene found her clutching her purse and covering her eyes with it. A moment later, she felt Luke’s hand guiding the purse back to her lap.
“It’s safe now,” he assured her with a little laugh.
She glanced over and could see the humor in his eyes. Flinging her purse his way, she bopped him on the arm in retaliation.
Then he began leaning toward her during the more suspenseful parts and whispering funny things to put her at ease. She flashed him a smile of gratitude, and a moment later felt his arm over the back of her seat. She glanced at him questioningly, and he said, “In case the alien shows up here.”
By the end of the movie, she was in adrenaline fatigue. “That was exhausting,” she said, as they stood to leave the crowded theater.
Luke reached back and took her hand as they wove through the people toward the front exit. Madison knew it was only a practical measure to keep them together, but his hand sure did feel good in hers. As soon as they were in the parking lot, he released his hold. “So other than being exhausted, what did you think?” he asked.
“I actually liked it,” she admitted. “I’m usually not that into sci-fi, but the idea behind the movie was pretty cool, and I liked the way it ended, leaving something dangling but still solving the main problem.”
Behind Her Smile Page 21
