“Your tea is getting cold,” she said softly. James Harper glanced up, managing a weak smile for his wife, Allison. He hadn’t touched the tea at all, though she had brought it to him nearly an hour ago. Instead, he had been staring at the same spot on the living room wall, lost in his thoughts.
Allison sat down beside him, her eyes full of concern. “Honey, you’ve been like this for weeks. Talk to me.”
James sighed, running a hand through his thick hair. “I don’t know what to say, Allison. I feel… I feel like I’ve failed you and the kids. A man is supposed to provide for his family, and now… what am I supposed to do?”
Allison took his hand in hers, kissed it, and squeezed in gently. “You haven’t failed us, James. Henry Ford laying you off wasn’t your fault. It doesn’t mean you’re any less capable or valuable.”
The skin around James’ eyes were tight, his jaw clenched as he tried to hold back the tears. But his wife’s touch was so gentle and soothing that he finally gave them permission to flow, as if a hidden dam had burst, releasing a flood of pent-up emotions and heartache that had been dammed up within him for far too long.
“But it doesn’t change the fact that I can’t provide for you and the kids right now,” he said. “How are we going to manage?”
Allison’s gaze was clear and focused, unwavering as she looked into James’ eyes. Her brow was calm, her lips set in a gentle smile, exuding a quiet strength and determination James had always admired.
“I know it may not feel like it right now,” she said gently, “but we’ll manage because God is with us. He’ll provide, even if we can’t see it right now.”
James’ gaze lingered on her, his eyes a swirling mix of doubt and hope. Like two opposing forces battling for control, they danced across her face, searching for any hint or sign. His expression was a complex tapestry, woven with threads of longing and uncertainty. He studied her closely, as if trying to unravel the mysteries hidden within her.
“Do you really believe that?” he asked.
“I do,” she replied firmly. “You remember my Confirmation verse, don’t you? ‘Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths.’ God hasn’t abandoned us, my love. We need to trust in His timing and His provision.”
James nodded slowly, the words beginning to sink in. “You’re right; it’s just hard to see past the worry and fear.”
Allison leaned in, placing a gentle kiss on his forehead. Her lips were soft and gentle against his skin, like a feather caressing him.
“I know it is,” she said sweetly, “but let’s turn to God together. Let’s pray and read His Word. We’ll find strength and comfort there.”
James took a deep breath, thankful for such a faithful wife. “Okay, let’s pray, but you do it. I don’t think I can find the words.”
They bowed their heads and Allison began to pray. “Heavenly Father, we come to You in our time of need. We trust You already know what those needs are, and that You have a plan for us, even though we can’t see it. Please give us strength to face these challenges together, and the wisdom to follow Your guidance. Help us to trust in Your provision and to find peace in Your presence. In Jesus’ name, amen.”
When they lifted their heads, Allison went to the bookshelf and grabbed their family Bible. They flipped to the previous Sunday’s Gospel lesson, finding strength in Jesus’ words: “Therefore I say to you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink; nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food and the body more than clothing? Look at the birds of the air, for they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? Which of you by worrying can add one cubit to his stature? So why do you worry about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin; and yet I say to you that even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. Now if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is, and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will He not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? Therefore do not worry, saying, ‘what shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For after all these things the Gentiles seek. For your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.”
A long week had passed since James had started tirelessly perfecting his résumé at the kitchen table. The sun was setting, casting a warm golden glow through the windows as he sat hunched over his papers. Suddenly, the phone rang, and Allison’s voice filled the room, her face lighting up with excitement as she handed the receiver to James. He eagerly took it, knowing this call could potentially change everything for him.
“Hello?” he said.
“Mr. Harper? This is Phil Bennett from Macomb Manufacturing. We received your application and would like to offer you the position for which you applied with us. No interview necessary. Your experience at Ford is exactly what we’re looking for.”
James’ eyes widened in disbelief. He had sent in the application two weeks ago. “Thank you, sir. I… can I accept over the phone?”
“Of course.”
“Then I accept. I can’t tell you how much this means to me.”
“No problem, Mr. Harper. We’ll email you the details, and you can let us know when you’re ready to start.”
As James hung up the phone, he looked at Allison, tears of gratitude filling his eyes, as if his eyes were a clear sky after a cleansing rain, reflecting the shimmering light of a thousand stars.
“Macomb Manufacturing just hired me.” He smiled at his wife.
Allison smiled back, pulling him into a tight embrace. It was like two vines intertwining in a lovers’ dance, their leaves rustling with a symphony of joy and comfort. “I never doubted for a moment,” she said. “God is faithful, sweetie. He always is.”
The Lutheran Column 