Lashed By Storms- CH 16

Chapter Sixteen

Scripture quotations are from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version,

Decision Time

Wait for the LORD; be strong, and let your heart take courage; wait for the LORD! Psalm 27:14

The Schlegels’ church family welcomed them home with love and enthusiasm.

Mike was especially grateful.

            “We had made friends through small groups at our church, and their warm welcome touched our hearts. These were friends we could count on; in fact, we had counted on them, even prior to my transplant.

            “One of those times was just four days before we were to leave for San Antonio. I was in such an emotional state I didn’t know what to do. Anne did. She made a phone call.

            “Twenty minutes later, our pastor and one of the elders of the church came to our home. They ministered to me, and then they prayed over me. Those two men dropped everything to come be with me in a time of great need; something I will never forget. It was an event that helped strengthen my faith.

            “In fact, we both were on the receiving end of help from our church. Before we left for Texas, members had been there to mow our lawn when I couldn’t, and to bring in food when Anne was too exhausted to cook. Later, it was an elder who made sure Anne would have the house to herself the night she flew in to be with Sam. It was church elders who called the police to handle an eviction so we would have our house to live in when we returned home.

            “Our church family continued to be the hands and feet of Jesus to us, putting into action what they professed to believe. It was indeed good to be back in our church home!

            “When we left for my marrow transplant, one of the women had offered to take Anne’s Sunday school class. Absolute joy shone from my wife’s face when she was able to resume lesson planning and teaching. We felt tremendously loved and supported.

   “The most difficult time for us, after getting home, was picking up Sam’s ashes. We had tears in our eyes as we left the vet clinic. As we drove home, we recalled many of her antics. We scattered her ashes on the acreage around the house, where she had always loved to run and play.

            “The longer I was off steroids, the clearer my thinking became. I started feeling in control of my thoughts and emotions. I also noticed a change in Anne. I knew she loved me; no woman would see her husband through what I had been through without love. But she was acting differently.

            “The more my health improved, the more concerned I became. Anne was distant; it was apparent she didn’t care to be close. She didn’t want me kissing her. She just wanted to be left alone, much like I had when I was so sick the first few days after my transplant.

            “I reached a point where I was afraid of losing Anne. I had a son—I didn’t want to raise Noah by myself. I realized I needed to be a better husband. I knew I needed to fulfill my wife’s emotional needs. God’s spirit spoke to my heart, telling me I needed to be more sensitive to my wife’s needs by putting her first.

            “But no matter what I said or did, Anne remained distant. It felt as though she had emotionally divorced me.”

            Mike had worked hard to get the girl of his dreams; he didn’t want to lose her.

It was time for him to take action.

***
Mike wasn’t about to lose Anne, and I wouldn’t have made any guesses as to what action he would take. When I did learn what he chose to do, I was surprised; it was something I had always been told men wouldn’t consider.

Chapter Sixteen

Continue to Chapter 17