Evan shrugged. “I have ideas, but I cannot say with any certainty. I just know that you will be important to our family and that our becoming friends isn’t something that has happened by chance. I believe it’s one of God’s purposes for us.”
“You honestly think God works in that way?”
“I do. Evie told me that you didn’t have much faith-based grounding when you were young. In our family, it was everything. I don’t remember a time when God was not given first place and revered as the unseen guest in our home. I say thisjust to offer a bit of advice. If you are as interested in Evie as I think you are, you’ll need to start with God first.”
Max was rather taken aback. He hadn’t made a declaration for Evie, nor said anything to imply that he would move in that direction anytime soon, and yet Evan so clearly read his desires.
“Evie shared a few things with me about her faith and beliefs that I’ve not been able to stop thinking about.” Max cut into the steak and realized that instead of feeling uneasy with the conversation, he longed for answers.
He put down his fork and knife. “I honestly want to have that confidence and understanding of God that you and Evie seem to have.”
“It’s really not about me or Evie. Don’t put your eyes on us and expect to somehow come into faith that way. God might have used us to reflect His image, and I pray that is so, but we are flawed human beings who occasionally lose sight of the truth. The Bible says that, ‘All have sinned and come short of the glory of God,’ and we’re no exception. I’d start by reading your Bible and spending more time in prayer.”
“I’m not really certain I know how to pray.”
Evan smiled. “Just talk to God like you’re talking to me. Look in the book of John chapter seventeen. Jesus is praying there before He goes to the cross. He just talks to His Father as you and I are talking now. Jesus tells God what He’s done and what is happening. He talks about the people in His life and asks God to watch over and care for them. He shares His heart. That’s all you must do when speaking to your heavenly Father.”
Max met the younger man’s eyes. “Sounds easy enough.”
“Easy, yes.” Evan smiled. “But be prepared. It will change your life.”
9
Evie followed her mother into the rundown hovel, hoping and praying that there wouldn’t be any medical needs. Her mother had mentioned they would go and share food baskets and other supplies with the poor prior to going to Charlotte Van Cleve’s house for a meeting. Evie’s stomach had clenched at her mother’s direction to pack a medical bag.
Mother always tried to think of everything and pulled out two candles once they were inside the dark shack.
“Let’s light these, Mary, so that we can have a better look at what is needed,” Mother said, handing the weary-looking younger woman the candles.
Mary nodded and went to the cupboard to take down candle holders. She secured them, then began searching for matches.
“I’ve brought my daughter Evie with me today. You’ve met her sister Meredith,” Mother said. The woman nodded and continued her search. “Oh, here, I’ve brought matches as well.” She handed the woman a small thread-bound bundle of twenty matches. Evie smiled. She and her sisters had made those little gifts as far back as she could remember. It had been anotherof Mother’s brilliant ideas. Matches weren’t free, and it was difficult for the poor to keep them on hand. The bundles were secured with a simple white sewing thread wrapped around many times, giving the recipient a yard-long piece when unraveled. Women kept these for sewing and mending.
“Oh, thank you. We’ve been ... well ... short on such things for a long time.”
“I understand. Most everyone is struggling with the poor economy. There are banks and businesses in every city closing their doors.” Mother pulled up a crate she’d carried into the house. “I have some donated items here to share with those around town and thought you might have use for them. If not, you are free to offer them to your neighbors, although I will be stopping in to see most of them.”
She pulled out a stack of flannel diapers and set them to one side. “Your baby is due next month, and I thought perhaps you could use these. I know you have two other little ones, so perhaps you’ve diapers a-plenty, but hopefully, you can find use for them.”
“Oh!” The young woman’s eyes widened. “Oh, for sure I can use them. Thank you.”
“How has it been this time around?” Mother asked, nodding to her swollen abdomen.
“It’s been easy compared to last time. I thought for sure I’d die from my sour stomach with little Abby. Could hardly do anything for myself. It was hard on my man and the children.”
“I’m glad you’ve had it easier this time. Hopefully, that means you’ll have a contented child.” Mother smiled and pulled out a ten-pound sack of flour. “I have this and sugar, as well as dried beans. Oh, and someone donated oranges. I put a few of those in. I don’t think anything is quite as delicious as a fresh orange.”
Evie wondered if Mary had ever even had an orange. Fromthe looks of her well-worn dress and home, it was doubtful that such an expensive treat would have found its way here.
Just then Mary’s children came to join them from the only other room in the shack. Mary motioned them to her and spit on her fingers to wipe dirt from their faces.
“Abby, John, tell Mrs. Turner thank you for all the lovely things she’s brought to share with us today.”
Evie surmised that John must have been around four, while Abby was two, possibly three. John looked up with a grin. “Did you bring candy?” Abby ducked behind her mother’s skirts.
Mother laughed. “Have you been helping your mother and washing up regularly?”
He nodded in a most serious manner. “I wash my hands good.”
