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"Tell the World" shares the compelling story of a small group of farmers from the northeast region of the United States who would go on to set the foundation of the Seventh-day Adventist Church.
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Although things have changed over the years, seeing couples like Daniel and me is still anathema for some people. There are times when we’re walking down the sidewalk and people stare at us. Yesterday afternoon, when a woman was glaring at us, Daniel stopped suddenly and kissed me. Red-faced, she marched off.
52 Words
This is for the Weekend Writing Prompt by Sammi Cox. For instructions, click HERE.
Althea closed her Bible and placed it back on the coffee table. She felt like Judas because she had betrayed Tyson. Guilt racked her but if she were brutally honest with herself she would admit that what happened between Greg and her was something she had wanted for a very long time–even before she started dating Tyson.
Last night when Greg took her home after working together over time on a pending project, she invited him in to have a hot chocolate. After he went in and she closed the door, she unbuttoned her coat, with her back to him. She felt him pull it off her shoulders, discard it then, he pulled her back against him, so that she could feel his hard body pressing into hers while he buried his face in her hair. She closed her eyes as desire raged through her. Then, she turned to him, her eyes meeting his in a steady stare. She reached out and unbuttoned his coat.
His coat was soon disposed of, his tie followed and then, with trembling fingers, she loosened the buttons on his shirt, her heart pounding with anticipation. She could feel his warm breath on her temple and soon he was shirtless. Eagerly she ran her hands over his chest and before reaching up and pulling his head down to hers, her fingers gripping his hair as their lips fastened. His arms went about her waist, pressing her into him as they exchanged passionate kisses.
Several minutes later, Althea drew back, gasping for breath as she dragged off her jacket and everything from the waist up, longing to feel his skin against her. Greg groaned as she pressed against him, her eyes feverish as they met his smoldering ones and he swept her up into his arms and carried her into the living-room. They made love on the sofa. He ended up spending the night and the following morning, they made love again before he left after having breakfast.
Running her hand over the cushion where his head was, she trembled as she recalled how explosive the lovemaking was and it was something she had never experienced with anyone–not even Tyson. Greg excited her like no man ever did and she wanted to be with him again. She wasn’t satisfied with having just a working relationship with him. She wanted more…but what about Tyson?
How could she face Tyson after what she did but how could she stay with him when she wanted Greg? And what about Greg’s girlfriend, Audrey? She had completely forgotten about her. She remembered the first time she met the willowy blonde and her jealous reaction. It was at one of the company’s picnics. She was there with Tyson and Greg was there with Audrey. They were sitting at the table with the director of the company and his wife. Tyson and she joined them. She was sitting between Tyson and Greg who introduced them to Audrey. He and Tyson had met before.
Audrey was what most people would consider to be classically beautiful with her fine features. She was regal and elegant. When she was introduced to Tyson, she smiled and was very gracious to him but when she was introduced to Althea, she was a bit aloof and the smile on her lips didn’t reach her light blue eyes. The two women barely said anything to each other and Greg commented on that when they were in the office. “I couldn’t help but notice that you and Audrey didn’t hit it off. You’re usually get along with everyone and Audrey too but somehow, you two didn’t warm up to each other. How come?”
Althea had shrugged and offered him an offhand explanation. “I guess we can’t always get along with people.” She couldn’t let him know that she was jealous of Audrey and for some reason Audrey didn’t like her. Perhaps she sensed that Althea was attracted to her boyfriend. Women were more intuitive when it came to those things.
“Tyson and I get along even though he’s your boyfriend,” Greg had remarked and she looked at him, quizzically. His expression was inscrutable. What does he mean by that? Before she could ask him, his cell rang and he excused himself. Ever since then, she had been meaning to ask him about the remark but just hadn’t gotten around to it.
The ringing of her phone brought her back to the present and she got up from the sofa to answer it. It was Tyson. Heart thudding and hand gripping the phone, she said, “Hello, Tyson.”
“Hi Baby, I tried to get you last night but your machine came on and your cell was turned off. I thought about coming over but I didn’t want to drop by just like that.”
Well, it’s a good thing you didn’t, she thought. Or you would have caught me with Greg. “Tyson, I’m fine. I was wiped so I must have been sleeping and that’s why I didn’t hear the phone or the cell ring.” Lying came so easily to her that it startled her.
“Okay. I called to remind you that we’re going to the Blue Note tonight to see the John Scofield Quartet. I’ll pick you up at seven.”
She had totally forgotten about tonight. The last thing she wanted was to be at a jazz club but what excuse could she give? “All right.”
“Great! Oh, I invited Greg and Audrey to join us. I hope you don’t mind.”
Her heart was racing now. She was going to see Greg. And Audrey was going to be there. How was she going to be able to hide her feelings or stop the images of Greg and her making love from popping into her head? “I wish Audrey weren’t coming,” she said. “The woman doesn’t like me.”
“Maybe she’s jealous of you,” Tyson remarked.
Althea stiffened. “Why should she be?” she asked warily.
“You are a gorgeous woman, Althea and you work closely with Greg. I would be jealous too if I didn’t trust you.”
She closed her eyes as the guilt consumed her. He trusts me. I feel like a traitor. What am I going to do? I never meant to cheat on him but my feelings for Greg got the better of me. I was a fool to have a relationship with Tyson when I really wanted to be with Greg but at the time Greg was already seeing Audrey. Oh, what a mess I have gotten myself into…
“Althea? Are you still there?”
“Yes–yes. I–I have to go now.”
“All right. I’ll see you at seven.”
“See you then,” she replied and hung up, her head throbbing. She went back over to the sofa and sank heavily down, her brow knitted, frantic about how the evening was going to pan out and that she might do or say something to give herself away. “Dear Lord, please help me to keep it together tonight,” she begged.
Several hours later when Tyson picked her up, she was composed or appeared to be. The closer they got to the Blue Note Jazz club, the more nervous she became and by the time they walked into the place, her palms were sweaty and her legs felt like jelly. Thankfully, Greg and Audrey weren’t there as yet. It gave her time to collect herself.
It was a nice club. The atmosphere was casual and intimate. Their table was situated in such a way that all four of them would be able to get to see the band. The band had already set up and in ten minutes they were going to play. She looked up just then and her heart somersaulted when she saw Greg and Audrey approaching their table. Audrey was wearing a red top with a black pants. Her hair was pulled back in a chignon giving her an elegant look. She gave Althea a frosty smile and greeting before she sat down opposite her.
Althea’s eyes shifted to Greg as he sat down beside Audrey and opposite Tyson. He was dressed in a black dress shirt with black jeans. He looked so sexy that it was hard for her not to stare. Their eyes met and she smiled nervously as she greeted him, acting as if they hadn’t seen each other since yesterday at the office.
They ordered drinks, appetizers and dinner and settled down to enjoy the band which was starting up. As the sounds of jazz filled the air, Althea sneaked a peek at Greg whose head was turned toward the stage and her heart skipped a beat when she caught him looking at her. She quickly turned away and tried to concentrate on the music and enjoy the dinner but she could feel his eyes on her.
After dinner and during a break, Audrey excused herself and went to the washroom while Tyson went to the bar to order a Club Soda. Althea had passed on having anything else to drink and was nursing her Cranberry Juice. Alone with Greg, she couldn’t resist looking at him and her mouth went dry when she saw him looking at her intently. “You look amazing,” he told her. “I can’t keep my eyes off you.”
She was wearing a black dress with spaghetti straps and her hair was pulled back at the nape. “Thank you,” she replied, feeling shy and thrilled at the same time. “You look incredibly sexy.”
“Althea, I can’t stop thinking about last night and this morning.”
“Me neither,” she confessed. “What are we going to do? I feel like such a traitor because Tyson trusts me but I can’t help how I feel about you, Greg. What happened between us last night and this morning happened because I wanted it to.”
“We have to tell them,” he told her. “We can’t continue hiding our feelings and pretending that we are happy in our relationships when we’re not. I want to be with you, Althea. I’ve wanted it ever since we started working together.”
She stared at him. “Why didn’t you tell me this before I started dating Tyson?” she demanded. “I only went out with him because you were with Audrey.”
“I thought you loved Tyson and that’s why I didn’t do anything. You have no idea how hard it is for me to see you with him. I like him and we get along but I’m jealous of him because he’s your boyfriend.”
“And I’m jealous of Audrey because she’s your girlfriend.”
“I think she suspects that I have feelings for you. She didn’t want to come tonight because of you but I managed to talk her into it. I came because I wanted to see you. Can I come over later?”
“Yes,” she said. “We’ll talk more later.” Just then, both Tyson and Audrey joined them.
The band came back and played for another hour. It was time to leave. The four of them walked out of the club and to the parking lot. They said their goodnight and parted. As Althea walked to Tyson’s Land Rover, she watched Greg and Audrey walk to his Jaguar. Seeing them together made her decide that she was going to end her relationship with Tyson. She wouldn’t do it tonight, though. Tomorrow was Sunday. On her way to church, she would call him and suggest that they meet in the afternoon at Bryant Park.
It was after ten when she got home and she quickly undressed and took a shower. She changed into floral print Chemise which flattered her figure and complexion. Her hair was loose about her shoulders and after dabbing a little of her favorite Ralph Lauren perfume behind her ears, she went into the kitchen. She just finished pouring hot toddies into two glass cups when the doorbell rang. Her heart racing, she hurried to answer the door, smiling when she saw Greg’s eyes travel over her.
As soon as she closed the door and locked it, he pulled her into his arms. “I’ve wanted to do this all night,” he murmured, his eyes restless on her upturned face. He was wearing a navy blue shirt and blue jeans. His hair was slightly damp and he smelled really good.
She put her arms around his neck. “I fixed us some hot toddies. Let’s sit on the sofa and drink them before they get cold and then…”
He smiled and released her. “You’re right. If I kiss you now, I wouldn’t be able to stop.”
They walked into the living-room and while he relaxed on the sofa, she went and got the hot toddies. She handed him his before she settled down next to him. She reached for the remote for the stereo and turned it on. Smooth jazz played in the background. “I am going to break up with Tyson tomorrow,” she announced quietly. “I’m going to do it in the park. I read that a lot of couples call it quits in a park because it’s a public place so not much drama there and it’s quiet and relaxing. I will call him in the morning to arrange a time when we will meet. I’m not looking forward to it at all.”
Greg sighed. “I know what you mean,” he said. “I broke up with Audrey tonight and it was terrible. She was hurt and angry. After she screamed at me and slapped me in the face, she stormed out of the car, slamming the door so hard, I thought the window would break. I felt like a jerk. I never meant to hurt her but I should never have gotten involved with her when it was you I wanted to be with. That was unfair to her.”
“Does she know about us?”
He nodded. “I didn’t have to tell her. She figured it out and I couldn’t deny it.”
Althea pursed her lips. “She must really hate me now.”
“I feel really badly about Tyson. He’s a really nice guy. Under other circumstances, we could have been good friends.”
“When he asked me to go out with him I should have turned him down. It would have been the decent thing to do. And now, what I have to say to him tomorrow will break his heart and completely destroy his trust in me…” Her voice trembled and tears came to her eyes.
Greg took her toddy and put it and his down on the coffee table. He put his arm around her shoulder and she rested her head against him. “I know that you feel badly about Tyson. Breaking up with someone is never easy. It can be very painful. All I can say is that Tyson and Audrey deserve to be with people who will love them in return.”
“You’re right,” she said and brushing the tears away she drew back to look at him. “You and I never meant to hurt them but we can’t help the way we feel about each other.”
His eyes darkened on her face. “I love you, Althea,” he murmured huskily. “I have loved you since the first time we met. I tried to fight it because of Audrey but it was no use. And those nights when we worked overtime, were torture. It was hard not to touch you. Last night my feelings were too strong to ignore. I wanted you so much.”
“I love you too, Greg. I fell in love with you the first time I saw you but I didn’t do anything about it because I found out from Krystal that you had a girlfriend. Seeing you everyday and working late with you was bittersweet. It wasn’t easy hiding my feelings for you or coming home to this apartment which felt empty and thinking about you, wishing you were here. You have no idea how often I have fantasized about you and…” her words were smothered against his lips.
The next afternoon, she met Tyson in the park. Dread filled her as they walked to a bench in a quiet area and sat down. Taking a deep breath, she repeated the words she had rehearsed on the drive over. By the time she was finished, he was livid. “So, when I called you on Friday night and yesterday morning, Greg was there with you?”
“Yes.”
“So, he spent the night.”
“Yes.”
“I don’t believe this. When I asked you why you didn’t answer my calls you lied to me. You told me that you were sleeping but the truth is you and he were doing it on the sofa. Oh, hell, Althea, I trusted you and you betrayed me.” He jumped to his feet.
“Tyson, I’m so sorry–” she said, rising from the bench.
“I don’t want to hear you say you’re sorry. You know I had many opportunities to cheat on you too but I couldn’t because I cared about you and besides, when I’m in a relationship I don’t cheat. Last night when we were at the Blue Note having a good time, not once did I suspect that there was anything going on between Greg and you. But Audrey knew something and that’s why she didn’t like you. She saw you for the liar and cheat you are. I’m going to leave now before I say something I will regret.” He looked her over with an expression of disgust on his face before he turned and walked away.
She watched him go and then sat back down on the bench. She sat there for a long time, feeling awful that she had hurt someone so badly. Tyson was a terrific guy who didn’t deserve what she had done to him. She couldn’t blame him if he never forgave her.
After leaving the park, she went straight to Greg’s place. As soon as he closed the door behind her and turned to face her, she went straight into his arms and clung to him. “It’s over between Tyson and me.”
He held her tightly. “It’s better to end the relationship than to continue cheating,” he said. “We don’t have to sneak around. We can love each other in the open.”
She drew back to look up at him. “You’re right,” she agreed.
He bent his head and kissed her, thinking of Bill Russell’s quote: “To love someone is nothing, to be loved by someone is something, but to be loved by the one you love is everything”
“You’re the most infuriating, insufferable, arrogant man I have ever met,” she fumed.
He looked unperturbed. “Is this what you came all the way over here to tell me?” he asked. “You could have just as easily phoned me and save yourself an hour’s drive.”
“I wanted to tell you what I think of you to your face,” she retorted.
He moved closer. “Why don’t you admit it, Debra?”
“Admit what?” she asked, eying him suspiciously and warily. He was a little too close for comfort.
“That you want me as much as I want you.”
Alarm filled her and for a brief moment, she was at a loss of words. Then, lifting her chin, she declared, “You’re mistaken.”
“I’m not afraid to admit that I want you. I wanted you from the first time I saw you. Feel what you do to me.” He took her hand and pressed it against his heart. It was pounding wildly—like hers.
She tried to pull her hand away but his grip tightened. Her eyes flew up to his face and her mouth went dry when she saw the unbridled passion shining in their depths. Desire coursed through her body and she tugged at her hand, desperate to put as much distance between them as possible. “Please let go of me,” she begged.
“Why?” he asked thickly. “Am I making you feel things you don’t want to feel?”
Just then, the sound of someone clearing his throat came from the doorway. Then, a voice called, “Mr. Rhys, Sir?”
Without turning his head, Rhys said, sounding somewhat put out at the interruption, “Yes, Albert, what is it?”
“You have a telephone call.”
“I’ll take it in the study. Thank you, Albert.”
When Albert left, she tugged at her hand again and he released it this time. She stepped back, grateful to Albert for the interruption.
Rhys watched her. “Will you wait here until I return?”
“No,” she said crossly. “I have things to do.”
“Have dinner with me tonight,” he said quietly.
She glared at him. “Even if my life depended on it, I will never have dinner with you. Good day.” She stormed past him and out of the room, leaving him watching after her, his expression a mixture of irritation and longing.
On the drive back to London, she fretted and fumed at herself for the brief betraying moment when she wanted to succumb to the feelings he aroused in her. If Albert hadn’t interrupted when he did she would not have been able to resist him any longer and that scared her. She didn’t want to have feelings for the man who was responsible for her sister’s misery.
Her sister was the reason why she went to Surrey to see him. She had meant to find out why he was opposing Vanessa’s marriage to his brother, Mark but when she saw him, she just lost it. She hoped she hadn’t make things worse. Just who did he think he was? Insufferable man. How she disliked him. Yet, how was it possible to loathe a man and want him at the same time?
She didn’t go back to her flat, instead, she went over to her friend Marcy’s cottage. “You look fit to be tied,” her friend exclaimed when she saw her. “Come on in. A cup of tea would do you some good, I think. Come to the kitchen and tell me what’s on your mind while I get the tea ready.”
Debra sat down at the table while Marcy put the kettle on. “I went to see Rhys,” she said, trying to be calm.
“You mentioned that you were going to find out why he was stalling his brother’s wedding plans. What did he say?”
“I didn’t give him a chance to say anything. I just laid into him because he got me so mad.”
“What did he do to get you so mad at him?”
“Well, nothing, really,” she said. “When I saw him, looking so smug, I lost it.”
“So, you didn’t find out why he is stalling the wedding?”
“What other reason could there be besides the fact that he doesn’t think that my sister is good enough for his precious brother?”
“Deb, you can’t assume that’s the reason. It might be something else.”
“What other reason could there be? Mark and Vanessa love each other. They have been dating since high-school and all through university. No one was surprised when they announced their engagement. Plans have already been put in place for a spring wedding and now, they have been put on hold because of Rhys. He acts more like Mark’s father than his older brother.”
“I guess he feels responsible for him because after their parents died, he raised him. It’s only natural that he wants what’s best for his little brother.”
“Doesn’t he think that marrying my sister would be the best thing for his brother? Is it because she’s not from rich family like Mark and he?”
“Deb, you and I can sit here all morning and speculate about Rhys’ reasons for putting everything on hold. There’s only one way to find out for sure and that’s to talk to him.”
Debra took the steaming cup of coffee from Marcia. She didn’t relish the idea of seeing Rhys again but if she wanted to get to the bottom of this, she had to. “I’ll stop by his office tomorrow during my lunch break,” she sighed.
The next day, she made sure she called Rhys first to find out if it was all right with him to stop by his office around twelve-thirty. He sounded surprised to hear from her but said that he was free to see her at that time. She got there at about twelve thirty-five and was shown into his office which modern, spacious and had a remarkable view of the city. He was sitting behind the desk but stood up when she walked in. He went over to the door and closed it. Then, he offered her a seat. “What a pleasant surprise,” he remarked. “What brings you here?”
She sat down and came straight to the point. “I want to talk to you about Mark and Vanessa. Why are you standing in the way of their happiness?”
He sat down behind the desk, his expression serious now. “I’m not opposed to their happiness,” he said. “But I do have my misgivings. I think they are too young to get married. He’s twenty-three and your sister is twenty-two. Mark has a trust fund which doesn’t have full access to until he’s twenty-five. Right now, he can live comfortably from the money in the trust fund but with marriage comes so many responsibilities that I’m not sure he’s ready for.”
“So, your objection is based solely on their age and not on their suitability for each other.”
He nodded. “I have always heard of many cases where young marriages don’t work out. I just don’t want Mark and Vanessa to be one of those couples.”
“But how long do you expect them to wait? Until they are in their thirties? That doesn’t seem fair. Those marriages you mentioned failed most likely because the couples were not mature. Mark and Vanessa are mature and very sensible beyond their years. If you still have misgivings why don’t you consider having them go for pre-marital counseling? I have a friend who has counseled many couples, including those in their twenties. I could arrange for her to see Mark and Vanessa. The sessions will determine whether or not they are ready for marriage.”
“That would be very helpful,” Rhys agreed. “It would put my mind at rest.”
“All right, I will call my friend this evening.” She got up.
He stood up too. “Are you leaving so soon?”
“I have to head back to the office. Thanks for taking the time to see me. Rhys…” she looked at him, feeling a little embarrassed. “I wanted to apologize for the way I spoke to you yesterday.”
He came around to where she was and stopped a few feet away from her. “I will accept your apology on one condition,” he said quietly, his eyes studying her face. “Have dinner with me tonight.”
“All right,” she said.
“I’ll see you at seven-thirty, then.”
She turned and crossed the carpet towards the door with him following closely behind. The same time she reached for the knob, he did and his hand covered hers. Heart leaping in her chest, she turned her head to look up at him and met his penetrating gaze. Without saying anything, he took her hand and pressed it against his thumping heart then without any warning, he reached over and kissed her.
Unable to help herself she turned so that she was facing him and her arms reached for him as she responded to his fiery kisses. Several minutes later, she felt herself pressed up against the hard surface of the door while his hands on her hips held her tightly against him as he ravaged her lips. Then, his lips were hot against her neck and she groaned, reaching up to bury her fingers in his hair.
A knock on the door jolted them and he pulled away, his face flushed. He took a few moments to control his breathing and regain his composure before he moved to open the door slightly. “Yes, Betty?” Betty was his secretary.
“They are waiting for you in the boardroom, Mr. Yardley.”
“Okay. Thank you, Betty. Inform them that I will be there shortly.”
“Yes, Sir.”
He closed the door and turned to Debra. He ran his fingers through his hair. “I forgot that I have a board meeting at one,” he said. “I’m sorry.”
She smoothed her hair and straightened her white top with the V neck and her navy blue skirt. “I should be heading back now,” she said, stooping down to pick up her handbag which had dropped to the floor.
“I look forward to seeing you again later,” he said quietly. He held open the door for her and she glanced at him before she went out.
On the way back to her office, all she could think about was the kiss and how much she wanted him. She couldn’t wait to see him later. When she got to her desk, the first thing she did was to call her friend, the marriage counselor.
At exactly seven-thirty he was at her flat. He looked amazing in a fitted black suit, white dress shirt and no tie. His hair was slicked back, giving him a polish and slightly rakish look. His eyes slipped over her when he saw her in a short navy blue dress with a beaded neckline which flattered her figure and her hair pulled back at the nape with a clasp. She looked simple but elegant. “You look incredible,” he commented as they walked to the lift.
She smiled. “Thank you,” she said. “So do you.”
He took her to his favorite restaurant which offered them privacy, spectacular view of the city of London and food to die for. They talked and opened up to each other. She mentioned to him that she had called her friend and that whenever Mark and Vanessa were ready, she would see them. “I really believe that things will work out for them,” she said.
“I hope you’re right,” he said.
“I was wrong about you,” she admitted. “I thought you were causing problems for my sister because you didn’t think she was suitable for your brother.”
“That couldn’t be farther from the truth. I like Vanessa. She’s a remarkable girl.”
Debra smiled. “Yes, she is. Sometimes when I look at her, I can’t believe that she’s that kid that used to follow me around and look up to me.”
“It was the same with Mark. I was his role model. My good opinion and approval meant a lot to him. He turned out to be a very fine young man. I’m very proud of him.”
“Here’s to the two remarkable young people in our lives.” Debra held up her glass and they made a toast.
“And here’s to us,” he said, his expression serious as he returned her gaze. Their glasses touched and then, he signaled to the waiter for the bill.
They left the restaurant and went back to her flat. As soon as she closed the door and locked it behind her, he grabbed her, pulled her roughly against him, muttering “I’ve been dying to do this all evening,” before his head swooped down and his hungry lips sought hers.
She wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed him back, her fervor matching his. As they exchanged feverish kisses, she kicked off her shoes while he dragged off his jacket and tossed it on the floor. Then, breaking off the kiss, she drew back, almost fighting for breath and without saying a word, she grabbed his hand and led him toward the hallway to her room where they spent the rest of the night.
The following year, on a beautiful day in May, Mark and Vanessa tied the knot. The service took place at the church where his parents got married and the reception was held at their home in Surrey. It was a happy occasion. The pre-marital counseling had really paid off and after receiving assurance from the counselor that the couple was ready for marriage, Rhys happily gave his consent and the wedding preparations went ahead.
As Rhys stood beside Debra at the foot of the steps leading down from the front entrance, he turned to her, “It looks like you’re next,” he commented, indicating the bouquet which she had caught. “When would you like to get married? In the spring like your sister or in the summer?”
She stared at him. “Stop teasing me,” she scolded him.
“I’m not teasing you,” he said and he pulled out a small velvet box from his pants pocket. “I was planning to give you this later after dinner but I don’t think I could wait until then. Come with me.” He grabbed her hand and led her off to a quiet spot out of ear shot of the wedding guests.
He got down on his knee, opened the box and took out the ring. “Will you marry me, Debra?” he asked huskily, his eyes tender as he looked up at her.
“Yes,” she cried, laughing as the tears ran down her face. “Yes, I will marry you.”
He put the ring on her finger and then stood up. “I love you,” he murmured before he kissed her.
“I love you too,” she answered when he drew back. She reached up and touched his face. Then, the sounds of voices reached them.
“They’re leaving,” Rhys said. “Let’s go and say goodbye.” He took her hand and they hurried off to say goodbye to the happy couple as they came down the stairs laughing as rice grains were thrown at them.
Debra hugged Vanessa tightly. “I’m very happy for you,” she said. “You make such a beautiful bride. I wish you great happiness.”
“Thank you, Deb. And I wish you the same.” When she saw her sister’s engagement ring, she was so overjoyed. She hugged her again. “Congratulations. Rhys is twice my brother-in-law. I couldn’t be happier.”
Later that evening as she stood on the terrace, looking out at the grounds, Rhys joined her. He put his arms around her waist and she leaned against him. “That night when you agreed to have dinner with me, did you do so because you felt badly about the way you spoke to me?” he asked.
She turned around then and faced him. “No,” she said softly. “I did it because my happiness depended on it.”
“So did mine,” he murmured before he took her up in his arms and carried her into the bedroom.
Sources: The Telegraph; To Love Honor and Vacuum; Guide Doc
She sat at a small table outside of the local cafe set in the maze of
streets near Piazza Antinori. One could get lost in Florence but won’t
mind at all. It was a beautiful, bustling and exciting place. There was
so much to see.
Around her mingled the sound of dishes cutlery, the clink of
glasses as people toasted each other and the voices and laughter
of tourists and locals alike. She heard French, Spanish, English, Italian.
Whiffs of cappuccino, hot bread and pasta filled the air. It was early
afternoon. She had spent the morning visiting the Duomo and the
Antinori palace. Now she was at this little cafe buzzing with locals,
and enjoying a glass of wine after having delicious Ravioli, drinking
in the friendly ambiance around her as she watched couples, friends,
students on summer break and the locals walk by.
This was her first time in Florence. She loved it. She loved the
cobbled streets, the history, the people and of course, the food.
She will definitely stop by this delightful cafe again and try their
Beef tagliata. Hopefully, she would get a table inside. Not that
she minded eating on the sidewalk.
This was her first trip alone. Usually she traveled with her
Sister, June. June got married a couple years ago and her life
was not wrapped up in her husband and their two children.
No plans for Travel any time soon.
She signed. Being alone in a city like Florence wasn’t so bad.
She could get used to it. She could just lose herself in the maze
of streets that now seemed to be beckoning her.
She finished her wine and grabbing her handbag, she
got up and headed to the nearest street.
This trip could be her own personal adventure. Who knows….what
could happen in the city of love…
Sources: Tripadvisor; Antinori Palace
In the early hours of
The morning, outside of
A hospital in the city of
Bharatpur in Rajasthan
A newborn baby girl was
Discovered.
Her umbilical cord still intact
She had been there
All night as a light rain that fell
Her only cover an old pink shawl.
She was abandoned.
Why? She is a girl.
Sadly, her story is like so many
Others in India where couples want a boy
Because they are impoverished
And raising a girl is too costly.
In a society where boys are
Preferred, the lives of girls
Are devalued. They are either
Aborted or abandoned.
Adoption centres have
Been put in place to rescue
And care for babies like this one.
Their credo is “don’t dump, give them
To us.”
A baby girl deserves to live and grow
in a society where she is a blessing and
Not a burden because of her gender.
Source: Aljazeera
Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path – Psalm 119:105
Right now I can walk into any bookstore and buy a Bible. There are so many to choose from. There are Bibles for men, women, teens, children and couples. They are in different languages. And there are different versions. You have Study Bibles, Devotional Bibles, Life Application Bibles and even Spiritual Warfare Bibles. Then we have audio Bibles, online Bibles. The list goes on and on. Some of us have more than one Bible. Some churches give out free Bibles.
Bibles are available in most countries but not to new believers in Asia. Many of them don’t own a Bible. It’s hard for us to imagine not being able to read our Bibles everyday. It’s where we go when we want to know more about Jesus or to grow spiritually and deepen our walk with Him. We can use our Bibles for personal or group studies, witnessing and worship. Believers in Asia aren’t able to do any of these things. Can you imagine going to church and no one has a Bible, not even the pastor?
Try to imagine how different life would be for you if you didn’t have a Bible. Now think of the believers in Asia who don’t have God’s Word to guide them daily in their spiritual lives. Imagine not being able to share the Word with others.
The Bible is more than a book. It is the living Word of God. It brings hope, encouragement, light and joy to those who read it. It is the sword of the Spirit (Ephesians 6:17). It protects us from the attacks of the Devil. It was the Word of God that Jesus used three times to defeat Satan in the wilderness. It reveals who God is to us. We learn about His will for our lives. We have the Gospels which tell us about Jesus and His ministry. It is from the Bible that we learn that, “…God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.” (John 3:16).
The Word of God teaches us what our responsibilities are to God, society, authorities and our neighbors (Romans 12). It gives us instructions on how to keep ourselves from conforming to the world (Philippians 4:8; Galatians 5:15). It shows us how we can follow Jesus’ example when it comes to prayer, our relationship with God and how we treat others. The Bible is our guide to right living and right thinking. God speaks to us through the Word.
We go to the Bible when we have questions and doubts. It addresses our fears and encourages us. Paul explained why the Scriptures are so important in the believer’s life. “All Scripture is God-breathed and is valuable for teaching the truth, convicting of sin, correcting faults and training in right living; thus anyone who belongs to God may be fully equipped for every good work“ (2 Timothy 3:16, 17 Complete Jewish Bible). The Bible is a must have for every believer.
Sing them over again to me, wonderful words of life,
Let me more of their beauty see, wonderful words of life;
Words of life and beauty teach me faith and duty.Beautiful words, wonderful words, wonderful words of life,
Beautiful words, wonderful words, wonderful words of life.
Help to bring the wonderful words of life to South Asia. Find out how here.
Source: Gospel for Asia
I have heard a pastor advise couples who are entering into marriage to make up their minds that divorce was not going to be an option. The Bible says that infidelity is the only legitimate reason for divorce. And it tells us that God hates divorce. Marriage was meant to be a lifelong commitment. It is sacred. It was the first institution created by God. It existed before sin came into the world. It was God’s design for mankind. He created Eve for Adam, the first man He made after no companion suitable for him was found among the creation. God gave Eve in marriage to Adam and blessed them.
My parents are divorced. They have been divorced for over twenty-five years. My father remarried but he is no longer with his second wife. I remember the day when I was standing in the living-room with my parents and I asked my father to stay. He was planning to leave home. The marriage had gotten to the point where he wanted to leave. I asked him to stay but he had made up his mind. In retrospect, I am glad he didn’t stay. I wouldn’t have wanted him to stay on my account. I didn’t want him to remain in a marriage where he wasn’t happy for my sake. That would have been unfair to him and selfish on my part.
My mother expressed regret some years ago that she and my father divorced. She had always hoped that she would be married for life. I remember how wistful she seemed to be missing out on what would have been their twenty-fifth anniversary. I know that they had problems in their marriage. There was infidelity and there were times when the other woman called our house. I don’t know what caused their relationship to go sour. My mother was very social because she was a part of her company’s drama group. She was always attending functions. My Dad didn’t go with her. They seemed to live separate lives even though they were living under the same roof. They most likely drifted apart. My mother didn’t want a divorce but my father did.
What causes people to divorce? One of my co-workers was married a guy she had known for years. However, they later divorced because they grew apart. Another co-worker’s son divorced because he and his ex-wife no longer loved each other. Here are top 10 reasons why couples get divorced.
I have heard of couples divorcing after fifty years of marriage. How is that possible? Why would they decide to call it quits after spending so many years together? Al Gore and Tipper shocked everyone when they announced that they were separating after 40 years of marriage. The signs were not there–at least they were not visible to the public. Robert Levenson, a psychologist at the University of California who studies marriage across the lifespan stated, “Though every marriage is different, a divorce after 40 years is unusual. Most divorces occur early in marriage.”
I was shocked when I heard about the split between Danny Devito and Rhea Perlman after 30 years of marriage. They separated in 2012 but it looks like they are back together again. They had split because of Danny’s wandering eye. While an extramarital affair can be a cause for divorce as in the case of Arnold Schwarzenegger and Maria Shriver, there are other less dramatic factors.
Some relationships have been in decline for decades and finally lose all their juice. A marriage doesn’t usually just blow up. It’s more like a balloon that has been seeping air for a long time. After a while, it’s totally deflated.
Another possibility is that a couple’s issues intensify. Most problems are manageable, but then something sends them into hyperdrive. It could be a change in jobs, health, children’s lives, personal ambitions or any number of other triggers. Whatever balance had been achieved is undermined, and with it the ability to handle the issue and still have a decent marriage (AARP).
I have seen relationships suffer because the woman is focusing most of her attention on the children and not enough on the husband. I watched a show on OWN where the husband felt neglected by his wife and as a result he had an affair. His affair, of course, devastated his wife.
No one likes to get a divorce. No one wants to see their marriage end. It makes them feel like they failed. Sometimes, women stay in marriages, suffering in silence because they don’t want to get divorced. They stay put, hoping that things would change–that they would get better. Of course, they only get worse. Other women see divorce as their only option. I read one story where a man was blown away when his wife told him that she wanted a divorce. He didn’t see it coming at all. Weren’t there any signs?
Why do women get divorced? Here are some reasons:
I wonder if some of these marriages would have survived if the women had told their husbands how they felt. What would you do in their situation? Are you experiencing one of these things? Have you spoken to your husband about it? Do you think he would want to go with you for marriage counseling or couples’ therapy?
For Christian women, none of the above reasons would be grounds for divorce. They go against biblical principles. Divorce is a matter that is to be taken seriously. Any Christian woman who is considering is encouraged to pray about it and be open to God’s leading. If she is concerned about whether or not she has biblical grounds for divorce, she should commit the matter to prayer and study and seek counsel from her pastor and a licensed Christian counselor (Focus on the Family). “…while there may be some situations in which extramarital sex would create such problems in a marriage that divorce would be better than continuing in an unhealthy or even dangerous relationship, in general it would be better to forgive earlier indiscretions (if accompanied by repentance and present faithfulness) rather than to break up what might otherwise still be a good marriage” (Christian Answers.net).
Are there biblical grounds for divorce? Yes.
Sexual immorality. If her husband is guilty of having extramarital sex and is not willing to end the affair and work on saving their marriage.
Husband is a non-Christian. If a Christian woman is married to a non-Christian husband and he insists on a divorce, there is nothing she can do. And 1 Corinthians 7:15 states, “If the unbelieving depart, let him depart. A brother or sister is not under bondage in such cases: but God hath called us to peace”. The Bible warns about marrying a non-believer. A Christian woman should never marry someone from another religion or even denomination because it may cause problems and worse if children are involved.
If it is the husband who wants the divorce, the woman can’t stop him through the current divorce laws but she could try to persuade him to consider a legal separation which would give them more time to reconsider the matter. She is encouraged to, “Pray that God will open the lines of communication between you and your spouse and that He will restore the love in your relationship. And pray for patience and a forgiving spirit. Try to resist the temptation to say angry words to your spouse or do things that would push him or her further away. Restoration does occur even in the most hostile circumstances, but it is more difficult when harsh words have passed between you” (Focus on the Family).
How does divorce affect women? According to Coaching for Divorced Women, they experience the following emotions:
Anger
During all stages of divorce, you might feel intense anger towards your ex. You may be angry with him for leaving you, for not understanding you or for having an affair. At other times, you may be angry with yourself for not seeing the signs, or for allowing him to hurt you, the way he did. It is important to realize that if his actions are continuing to anger you that you have not let go. Even though anger is one of the common emotional effects on divorce, holding onto pent up anger is not hurting your ex at all. He could probably care less that you are angry. You need to forgive him and yourself for the roles each of you played that lead up to the divorce. Forgiveness is the only thing that can set you free to build a happy and fulfilling life.
Guilt
Women are filled with guilt during and after a divorce regardless if they initiated the separation or not. Guilt is one of the common emotional effects of divorce as you might constantly ask yourself if you did everything in your power to make your marriage work. You might be banging yourself over the head on whether or not you made the right decision. If he left, you could be asking yourself what you did wrong. You may feel guilty that you have disrupted the home life of your children. Guilt serves no purpose. Guilt focuses on past events, which are impossible to change. By learning to let go of the past, you are able to look to the future.
Fear
Many women are terrified during divorce. Fear is one of the emotional effects of divorce that women feel in a variety of ways. There are many faces of fear, including fear of the unknown, the fear of making ends meet, the fear of being a single mom, the fear of what other people will think … and the list goes on and on. An acronym for fear is “False Evidence Appearing Real”. This tells you that fear is something you are making up in your own mind by conjuring up a thousand “what ifs”. When you begin to feel fearful, ask yourself what you are thinking and turn the thought around. For example if you are thinking being a single mom is going to be hard, ask yourself why is being a single mom going to be easy. With practice, the fears will dissipate and you will begin looking forward to a wonderful future.
Anxiety
Anxiety and stress is a mixture of many negative emotions, including fear, guilt and anger. Reduce stress by letting go of the fear and learning to deal with what is happening right this moment. Learn techniques to deal with anxiety such as deep breathing, meditating and exercising. Eating healthy also plays an important role in reducing anxiety. Build structures to support a stress free environment such as getting up earlier to get the kids to the bus stop, or cooking enough dinners to last for a week on Sunday. Take responsibility.
Grief
It is natural to be sad and to be sad when your marriage ends. Grieving over the death of your marriage can be a very painful experience, but it is a healthy response. By allowing yourself to go through the five stages of grief; denial, anger, bargaining, depression and acceptance you will be able to “let go” and be free to create your own future. Get assistance on dealing with the emotional effects of divorce support during this emotional turmoil.
Divorce is painful for the couple and children. It is something God never intended. Marriage was meant to be a permanent union between a man and a woman. If you are thinking of getting a divorce make sure this is the right decision. Sleep on it. Seek counsel. If your husband is the one who wants to end the marriage, don’t do what my mother did–try to persuade him to stay. If he has made up his mind, no amount of begging will change it. Let him go. Ending a marriage, especially after so many years together is very, very difficult and it will take time to heal and move on.
Here are some helpful advice that can help you can get you through the end of your marriage financially and emotionally.
Even though you may want to move forward in your life, you may have one foot on the brakes. In order to be free, we must learn how to let go. Release the hurt. Release the fear. Refuse to entertain your old pain. The energy it takes to hang onto the past is holding you back from a new life. What is it you would let go of today? – Mary Manin Morrissey
Sources: Woman’s Divorce; Marriage Builders; Live Science; Focus on the Family; Live Strong; Coaching for Divorced Women; Christian Answers; Women’s Divorce
