by E. N. Joy
And believing such, Locksie pulled out her Bible and walked over to the chair where her Aunt Mary used to sit and read the Word. She opened up the Bible to no particular book or chapter and just began to read. She didn’t know how she was supposed to help her friend whose life as she knew it was about to change; but she was certain that the answer was somewhere between those pages.
Chapter 46
The evening Elkan had showed up on their doorstep, Locksie and Hannah, in their separate spaces, had prayed into the midnight hour for God to speak to Hannah’s situation. To this day, as Hannah sat in her and Elkan’s favorite restaurant attempting to have a civil conversation, she still had not heard from God. She didn’t want to just completely write Elkan off as she waited to hear from God, which was why she agreed to have dinner with him. But God had not told her to move, so moving back in with Elkan right now was out of the question, even though Elkan’s intended purpose when inviting his wife out to dinner was to get her to come back home.
“I just can’t come home yet, Elkan. Not until I hear from Him.”
Elkan couldn’t believe that he was sitting there listening to his wife tell him that another man was to be the determining factor. He couldn’t help but wonder if this other person was Drake. Even though Hannah had assured him that nothing had ever gone on between her and Drake, he still couldn’t shake the thought. Just when his blood began to boil and he wanted to snap, he got himself under control. In their past conversations, he realized that his high temper hadn’t gotten him anywhere. He had made a mental note to try a new approach.
“So, what does this other man have that I don’t?” Elkan calmly asked. “Why do you respect what he says so much?”
Hannah grinned and shook her head. She had to admit, Elkan being jealous was a sign that he cared. But how much did he care? “It’s not what you’re thinking, Elkan,” Hannah tried to assure him. “Right now I’m at a place in my life where it’s all about me and Him. And you know what, Elkan? He doesn’t care if I’m white, black, Hispanic, Japanese, Chinese, Vietnamese, or whatever else. All he cares about is what’s in here.” Hannah pointed to her heart. “My soul.”
“So, it’s like that? It’s over?” Elkan asked, defeated.
Hannah shrugged. “I don’t know, Elkan. It all depends.”
“On what?”
“On what He tells me to do.” Hannah was about to explain exactly who He was, but Elkan’s temper got the best of him.
“Ugggh, here we go again!” Elkan tried to hide the aggravation that came over him, but the tone of his sudden loud pitch was a dead giveaway. “You mean you gon’ let another nigga decide whether or not you gon’ be with me or not?”
Elkan’s use of the “N” word had definitely got some patrons’ attention. A few began to shoot him evil looks while others rolled their eyes and whispered. For a moment, Hannah just sat there looking at Elkan as if he’d lost his mind. But then, once she couldn’t hold it in any longer, she just burst out laughing.
Elkan began to look around and notice the glares. They weren’t glaring because of Hannah’s loud laughter either. They were still stuck on the fact that he had just used the “N” word. Right then, he realized that no matter what color the person was who said the “N” word, it was still offensive; and he had offended many. Hannah’s laughing didn’t help matters any.
“And just what is so funny?” Elkan said between clenched teeth.
“Oh, nothing.” Hannah laughed. “I was just thinking; God has probably been called a lot of things, but never the ‘N’ word.”
“What? Who? What are you talking about?” Elkan asked.
“Nothing, sweetheart,” Hannah said as she removed the napkin from her lap and placed it on the table. “I think I’m going to pass on dessert, Elkan.” Hannah stood as she managed to take control of her laughter.
“But . . . I don’t understand,” Elkan stammered.
“Me either, but He’ll help me to. And like I said, I don’t know what’s going to come of our marriage. I got a lot of praying on it to do, you know.”
Elkan buried his face into his hands and sighed. He looked up at his wife, not knowing whether she was soon to be his ex-wife. “I guess, Hannah. I mean, what can I do? Obviously, this he-him-or-whoever has got control of you. And you know what? I ain’t mad. I mean, maybe this is your way of paying me back for Peni. But I love you, Hannah. And I know I may sound like a punk, but if spending time with him means there is a chance of us getting back together, then it’s a chance I’m willing to take. Who knows? Maybe me and him can be cool; kick it someday.”
Hannah chuckled. She rubbed the back of her hand down Elkan’s face. “Yeah, Elkan, maybe someday I will introduce you to Him. Matter of fact, I think you just might like Him.” Hannah kissed Elkan on the forehead and then exited the restaurant.
Although Hannah’s dinner with Elkan hadn’t gone as planned, it could have been worse. Hannah unlocked her car door and got inside. She sat there for a moment before she burst out laughing again just thinking about the fact that Elkan had no idea that the Him she had been referring to was God. Maybe Elkan not knowing would keep him on his toes.
“Well, Lord,”—Hannah looked up and prayed—“You see what I’m working with, right? I mean, that’s my husband. I met him before I met You, so I’m not sure if my flesh chose him or if You chose him for me. But, dear Lord, as much as I love Elkan, I’m going to put it in Your hands to show me whether or not this is the husband You had for me that I am supposed to stay married to and spend the rest of my life with.
“I love him with all of my heart, even though there are some ways about him that I dislike. But, God, I know You can turn anyone’s life around. I know that You would want the man You have for me to love You just as much as I do, and Elkan really doesn’t know You like that. But it says in the Bible, somewhere in the book of Corinthians, that the unbelieving husband is sanctified by the wife, and the unbelieving wife is sanctified by the husband.
“Now, Heavenly Father, I know I said I love Elkan with all my heart. I want to keep him as my husband if we can repair and work on some things. But if he is not who You have for me, Lord—because I only want what You have for me—then I’ll give him up in a heartbeat. So, Lord, I just ask that You speak to my situation and show me the way. If You lead me, I’ll follow, no matter where or how far. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.”
Hannah started up her car and pulled out of the parking lot and onto the road. Spiritually, she was headed down a road with no idea where it might lead her, but she knew that no matter what, she’d end up in that place which was prepared just for her.
Chapter 47
Hannah lay on the floor, crying and shaking. She had woken up that morning prepared to spend her day working on her laptop, but something in her told her that instead, she needed to spend it with God. After having coffee with Locksie and seeing her off to work, (something Locksie suggested the women do along with prayer, of course; just like Aunt Mary would have wanted.) Hannah borrowed a stack of Locksie’s gospel CDs that she had inherited from her aunt Mary and allowed praise music to fill the air.
Hours later, Hannah was still in His presence as she sang, danced and worshipped Him. She had no idea how many hours had passed. Time seemed to have stood still in God’s glory. She had recently rededicated her life to Christ at Locksie’s church and was scheduled to be baptized along with Locksie. Hannah just couldn’t imagine how she had gone through life all of this time without acknowledging and having a relationship with God.
When the CD Hannah had been listening to went off, that’s when she dropped to her knees and just began to cry out unto the Lord. She cried out for her marriage. She cried out her forgiveness for anything Elkan had done in their marriage that hurt her. She even cried out forgiveness for Peni. When she was finished, she was about to stand up, but she felt the need to just be silent and listen . . . and that’s when she heard it; the voice of God!
“Hey, girl,” Hannah said, entering t
he living room after she heard Locksie come through the door.
“What’s up?” Locksie said, looking down at her mail. For some strange reason, a dark feeling came over her. She looked up into Hannah’s eyes and knew that the words that would soon be spoken by her friend had everything to do with that feeling.
“I’m going back to Elkan,” Hannah announced.
Locksie didn’t know what to say. She knew she was supposed to be happy for Hannah; no one wants to see her friend go through a divorce. But at the same time, a spirit of envy crept up on her. If Hannah was going back to Elkan, that meant she was leaving Locksie. Misery loves company, and although Locksie hated to admit it, she enjoyed not being the only somebody who was miserable and had issues. So at first, instead of being happy for Hannah, she felt sorry for herself. She was jealous.
“But, Hannah, what happened?” Locksie started. “Just the other day you were complaining about having not heard from God on what to do yet. You said that not hearing from God was probably His way of telling you that you’re not supposed to be with Elkan.”
“Like the saying goes, and I guess it applies to Him too,”—Hannah pointed up—“no news is good news.”
“But you said it yourself that even if you did go back to Elkan, you don’t know how things would work out with you having rededicated your life to Christ and all. That would mean a lifestyle change. You saw what I went through with Dawson. The man was jealous of God, for Pete’s sake. You think Elkan was jealous of Drake, huh? You just wait and see—”
Hannah put her hand up to cease Locksie’s tongue. She knew how her friend was feeling. The Holy Spirit had warned her that not everybody would be happy about her decision. Hannah knew deep down inside that Locksie didn’t want to see her unhappy, but that sometimes it’s hard for people to rejoice over somebody else’s blessing, especially if that blessing is something they, too, had been waiting on for themselves.
Despite Hannah suggesting that she talk to the hand, Locksie continued. “I mean, you were sold out to Jesus one minute, and now you’re going to go back into a situation that hasn’t been healed yet. The Bible says, II Corinthians 6:14: Do not be unequally yoked together with unbelievers. For what fellowship has righteousness with lawlessness? And what communion has light with darkness?”
“And I understand that, Locksie,” Hannah told her. “But the Bible also says that a person can be saved through their spouse.” Hannah walked over and held Locksie’s hands in hers. “Besides, and even more importantly, I heard from God, Locksie. This is not my flesh sending me back home with Elkan. If that was the case, as badly as I’ve been missing my husband and craving him, I would have long been back home by now. God assured me that Elkan is the husband He has for me. And I know things might be rough between Elkan and me at first—heck, probably even get worse before it gets better—but I’m going to believe and trust in God. Yes, Elkan and I have a lot to overcome, but I’m going to keep praying for strength, and I’m going to need you to keep praying too.”
At that point, Locksie remained silent—against her will. Oh, her flesh had a few more words that it could have mustered up, but in her spirit, she knew that if Hannah had heard from God, there was nothing else she could do or say. She had no authority over Him, and arguing with Hannah would have been like arguing with God; she couldn’t win.
“So, when are you leaving?” Locksie asked.
“Elkan’s on his way to help me lug all my things back to the house.”
“It’ll be dark soon.”
“I’ll turn the porch light on. We’ll be fine.”
“So, what were you going to do,” Locksie joked, “leave me a Dear Joan letter telling me you were gone?”
“Girl, no. You know I wouldn’t have left until you got home. After all you’ve done for me.” Hannah walked up to Locksie and hugged her. “You saved my life—literally, girl. You saved my soul. If it wasn’t for you, I wouldn’t have gotten back into church. I wouldn’t have rededicated my life to Christ.” Hannah paused for a minute, deep in thought.
“What is it?” Locksie said, pulling away and wiping the tears that were running down her face.
“As crazy as it might sound, I think everything that has happened, happened just to get me here; at this place, at this time. God brought me here to get me closer to Him.” Hannah got excited as if she was having a revelation. “Think about it, Locksie. Think about the chain of events that have taken place in our lives. Think of the timing of everything. None of this is an accident. It’s all God’s will. It’s like a big game of chess. We’re the pieces that God moves around to get everybody positioned where they need to be. It’s destiny. In the end, everything works for our good.”
Locksie began to smile. “You know what? I think you’re right.”
“You do?”
“Yeah, I do,” Locksie said.
Hannah began pacing with excitement. “Just think; before, you were just my hairdresser. Now you’re my sister in Christ, my prayer partner, my Bible study buddy. Look at God! And now, He wants me to take what I’ve got and give it to my husband—the husband He has for me.” Hannah ran back over to Locksie and hugged her. “Thank you, friend. Thank you so much. Because of your obedience, I’m changed for the better.”
Locksie couldn’t explain the elated feeling that had come over her. Until that moment, she had never realized how her submissiveness to God affected other people’s lives. She was experiencing what she thought was a little taste of what Ester must have felt when she saved her people by being obedient.
Just then, there was a knock on the door.
“I’ll get it,” Locksie said.
“You sure?” Hannah asked, knowing that it was Elkan and that the last couple of times he and Locksie had an encounter, it wasn’t pretty.
“Yeah, I got this.” Locksie winked, deciding to be the bigger person and make amends with Elkan. But Elkan beat her to it.
“Hey, Locksie,” Elkan said after she answered the door. “These are for you.” He handed her a beautiful bouquet of roses.
“Uh, well, uh . . . thank you.” Locksie grinned, accepting the roses from Elkan and then inhaling the scent. She was about to ask Elkan what they were for, but he answered before she could ask.
“Thank you for taking care of my wife.”
“Anytime,” Locksie told him. “Anytime.”
Hannah was glad to see Elkan make peace with Locksie. After all, he would be seeing a lot more of her prayer partner now. All Hannah wanted anyway in their lives was peace. She had even gone as far as calling Peni up to clear the air between them. Hannah simply told her, “You can have the baby and you can have the child support, but you can’t have my husband.” Surprisingly, Peni received what Hannah had to say, promising that she would try her best not to be such a witch anymore. Besides, she didn’t have the time to dedicate to tormenting Hannah anymore.
Supposedly, Peni’s attention would soon be focused on her own husband. Evidently, she and some doctor had enjoyed a whirlwind romance and were going off to Hawaii to be married. Elkan had done his homework on the doc because he wanted to see what type of man was going to be helping to raise his son. The doctor turned out to be very well respected and seemed like a pretty decent man. Hannah thanked God for finding Peni a man of her own so that now she didn’t have to ruin so many other lives and relationships trying to snag one. If God could bless Peni with a good man, then He could bless any woman.
After Locksie put her roses in water, the three of them loaded up all of Hannah’s things into her and Elkan’s cars. Once they were finished, Elkan and Hannah gave Locksie a good-bye hug.
“Uh, before we go,” Elkan said as he fumbled his hands in his pockets and looked down. “I know you’ve already done so much.” He looked to Locksie. “But can I ask you to do one last thing?”
Locksie looked puzzled. “Yeah, sure. What is it?”
Hannah stood waiting to see what it was that Elkan wanted.
“Can you pray for us? Pray for
me and my wife.”
Locksie’s shoulders relaxed and she smiled. “Of course I will keep praying for you guys.”
Elkan cleared his throat. “I mean right now.” He could see the shocked look on Locksie’s face, so he felt the need to explain himself. “See, my wife finally explained to me who He is.”
Locksie had no clue what Elkan was referring to.
“She said she couldn’t come back to me until He said so. Well, on the phone today when she called me to tell me she was coming home, we talked for a while. She confirmed my thoughts that another man was in her life—and that man is God. She told me about all the praying you two did for us. And truthfully, if I never believed in prayer before, I believe in it now. My wife expressed to me that just because God has answered her prayers, she’s not going to just forget about Him. She said that He’s a part of her now, and she said something you told her about a package deal . . .”
Locksie and Hannah smiled at each other. Locksie had told Hannah the story about Dawson’s visit to her church, when Reverend Franklin preached on relationships; how he had said that relationships were a package deal. If a person wanted to be in a relationship with one of God’s children, then they had to have a relationship with God as well. Obviously, she had shared the sermon with Elkan.
“Well, anyway,” Elkan continued, “I would pray myself right now, but I really don’t know how. So, I was wondering if you and my wife can keep praying for us.” He looked to Hannah. “Until, that is, I get the hang of it and my wife and I can pray together.”
Hannah put her hand over her mouth as tears ran down her face. She was so elated that she dropped to her knees and began to shout right there on Locksie’s front lawn. Then all of a sudden, words that Elkan didn’t recognize came out of Hannah’s mouth. It was almost as if she was speaking a foreign language. Elkan went to help his wife up, but Locksie stopped him.
