Christian Living

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“Luke honey, what are you busy with?” I asked from the kitchen whilst finishing preparing dinner.

From Luke’s demeanour and vibe, I deduced he was busy with our budget and reconciliation of the bank account. I kept my distance; instead, I went outside and walked through the garden, trying not to brood on Luke’s demeanour and vibe.

Should we not have waited until our dividends paid out, or until the other property sells, or until a response from God? There would have been no need for the loan then. Then again, Luke is the man in the house; I have to respect that.

Warren Buffet said, ‘The rear view mirror is always clearer than the windshield.’

Now, I can see that clearly!

I sat down on the bench in the garden, to still my thoughts.

What is this nagging I have had for the last few days? Just the two words, prayer and fasting, I do pray, every day, and still these two words.

I did not see Luke come out into the garden. I was startled when he spoke.

“Hey, you,” he said and kissed me on the cheek.

“And…is the chief financial officer happy?” I asked in a light tone, hiding my concern.

“A few more months of tightening of the proverbial belt and we will be okay. We might even be able to break away for a few days.”

“That sounds good Luke; but what about that company you did consulting work for on the building that needs restoration, or have they paid already?”

“No, Sue, they have not. I am actually upset with them.”

“Do you have a grievance with the company then?”

“Yes, I have an axe to grind with the project manager.”

No wonder I had the two words that kept on nagging. I did not recognize it as a message from Christ. Pardon me Lord.

Hearing the timer going off, I said: “Would you mind if we talk about that later tonight? Dinner is ready”

“Sue, I really don’t want to talk about it.”

Thank you, Lord for changing his mind about that. I smiled as I prayed that line.

With dinner done, as is customary in our household, it was quiet time also known as heart-to-heart time. With cell phone’s Wi-Fi and mobile data turned off, there was no opportunity for interruptions.

I took Luke’s hand, kissed it and silently thanked God for my husband. Luke sensed the sentiment and took lead with our prescribed reading plan. Suddenly, he closed our one-on-one study Bible.

Oh dear!

“Sue, let us pray first.”

I nodded and bowed my head.

“Sue, look at me. This is more than praying, it is a confession.”

My heart started pounding; silently I called out to God.

“Sue, the company did pay half of my consultation fees, as agreed, the balance they should have paid already. I lied to you earlier today; I misspent the funds, believing I could make a quick profit. Sue, look at me, please, my heart is heavy.”

God always keeps his word.

I breathed deeply, trying my best not to withdraw my hand from his.

“And the grievance; was that real, or fiction to buy time?”

“No, Sue, that is real. They cancelled my contract. They hired Chris, an ex-colleague, on a full-time basis.”

“When…” I choked, “when did all this happen?”

“About a week ago; you were out-of-town for two days.”

“Oh, I see...” I swallowed. “Excuse me, I need to be alone.”

I got up and walked over to the lounge. I sat down; still clutching God’s Hand, biting my lip to keep the tears away. I just knew if I cried aloud now, Luke would come over instead of praying.

I heard him pray. He confessed to God, every nitty-gritty detail of the grievance, miss handling of the funds, and lying to me. I heard him cry…I heard him call out to God. I heard him saying he is stretching out his hand. (Based on Mark 3 verse 5). I heard him plead with God for restoration.

After a long while Ephesians 4:31 comes to mind, ‘Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamor, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice’

 

Regaining my composure, I returned to the dining room table.

“Luke, no locusts between us, will you promise me?”

The next few evenings we had quiet time by ourselves, we scarcely spoke at dinner.

On night seven after the incident, Luke called me at the office. I was quite surprised.

“Hey you, I am cooking dinner tonight, no need to stop at the store.”

I still felt a bit uneasy about the whole incident, but conceded. He still has not made me a promise about no-locusts between us.

That night after a candle-lit dinner, Luke read from Psalm 86.

Psalm 86:5 For, You, Lord, are good, and ready to forgive, And abundant in mercy to all those who call upon You. Verse 6 Give ear, O Lord, to my prayer; and attend to the voice of my supplications. Verse 7, In the day of my trouble I will call upon You, for You will answer me.

“Sue, just so you know; after my seven days with God, I feel much more comfortable to tithe than to invest, of which I know very little about, hoping for a quick profit. The company paid the balance. And, Sue, I was wrong; I lied to you and put our marriage in jeopardy. I apologise.”

My heart leaped!

God always keeps his word.

Now, I know the full meaning of the word restoration.

I noticed a much lighter Luke from then on.

When we stopped at the Inn for our weekend country breakaway, Luke turned to me. He was quiet; from his pocket, he took out a ring, not wrapped or in a box.

“I had it inscribed.”

I read, “I promise, no locusts, love Luke.”

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