Wednesday, January 12, 2011

A Little Less Talk and A Lot More Action ~ Part Two

Originally posted 11/30/2009


Just like clockwork, the front door to our home opened at six in the evening announcing the love of my life was home. From the moment I met Bob, when I was a mere fourteen years old, I knew he was the person I wanted to grow old with. He was, and remains to this day, the most honest, loving, loyal, decent man I have ever met. I am blessed. When I heard the front door open that night, however, the thought that I may not get the chance to grow old once he saw Ann and her son, flashed through my mind. I should have known better.


Walking into the kitchen, Bob looked from face to face, starting with Ann’s and ending with mine. He was not smiling. I quickly walked over to him and wrapped my arms around him, burying my face in his chest. I heard Ann get up from the table and walk out of the room.


“Marla, we need to talk.”


“I know, I know. Please don’t get mad. I’m sorry. I just don’t know what to do.”


We both walked silently to our bedroom and closed the door behind us.


“She needs to go. I don’t want her here. I have to protect you and the boys regardless of what anyone thinks. She has to go!”


I knew he meant what he said and that he was right about one thing. He was the best protector and provider for the boys and me. I desperately wanted to honor Bob the way he had always honored me, but I also felt helping Ann was the right thing to do. I felt like crying because I had created such a mess of things. I asked Bob if Ann and her baby could stay for dinner since it was ready and maybe we could figure out an alternative plan for them during our meal. He agreed, out of his love for me, not because he thought I was right. I am sure of this.


As we all sat at the dinner table, Bob said grace and we ate, silently at first. Eventually, Bob began to ask Ann questions about her little son’s health and her life in general. By the end of the meal, everyone at the table was laughing and talking at the same time just like our usual mealtimes. As Bob helped me clear the table, he leaned over and whispered, “You win. Where are we going to put them?”


For the next twelve months, Ann and her son lived in our home as a part of our family. Her boy gained weight, played with my boys and slept in his very own bed. Ann also did really well. There were moments she would slip up and make a bad choice but she always came back to center because she had found a safe place to fall. She had found the Lord.


When Ann’s baby was born, I had the great privilege of being her labor and delivery coach. I was the first to hold her newborn son, the first to give him a bath and feed him a bottle and the last to hold him before placing him in the arms of his adoptive parents. Ann had decided adoption was the best option for this little one she loved so much. It was one of the most bittersweet moments of my life. I could only ever imagine what it was like for Ann. I remain in awe of her for that act of love.


A few months after the birth, we found an apartment close by for Ann and her first son. My girlfriends, who had all circled the wagons around Ann during her pregnancy, once again showered her with love and kindness. The day she moved into that little apartment, it was completely furnished and had a stocked pantry not to mention broods of people stopping by with treats and well wishes.


Was this an easy journey for me or my family? Not always. Would I do it again? Today! I would do it again today.


Well, that's the end of that story but I am sure there is a new one right around the corner. As I have been reading through the comments left, I asked myself, "Why am I doing The List? Why am I putting myself out there, telling the world my story?" I want to honestly answer those questions for myself and for anyone reading this blog.

When I write the ridiculous stuff I write about myself and my sisters and my family, it is with one purpose. I want you to laugh, to think I am funny, to be a part of the stupidly ridiculous fun that is my life. I have also written about times when I am quite down. That is more for me, to get things off my chest and be able to vent. But what I am writing now, this journey I have chosen, this is about more to me.

There are things I have done and continue to do that I will never write about. These are things that I do in secret. Why? I suppose it's because I believe what it says in Matthew: “Be careful not to practice your righteousness in front of others to be seen by them."

But this journey is different. I have spent much time searching my heart and praying about this before starting again. My goal is not to hear what a good person I am or anything else along those lines. My focus is simple.

""Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven."

That's it for me. Plain and simple. I want people to see Jesus when they see me. I don't want to preach at people. I want my life to be my testimony. I love people. I really do. It is not a chore for me to do these things. It is exciting and fulfilling and one of the greatest gifts I could ever imagine to be able to reach out to another human being and love them. I learned this from my parents. They never, ever told me any of these things. They lived it. So now, I am living it for my children in the hopes they will live it for theirs. That's it.

Thanks for reading. Thanks for your encouraging and kind words. Until tomorrow....

16 comments:

Glen said...

you gave her an amazing chance - do you know what she did with it?

Katie said...

Do you still see Ann? How is she now?

Brian Miller said...

big smiles...and maybe you are being prepared for something great....

Blasé said...

Bob was right the first time because he is the husband.

He was right the second time because he based his decision on information he didn't have prior to his first decision.

I've taken a woman/prisoner in my home for a spell. But, I weighed the pros and cons and in this case it was profitable. There are other stories I could share.

We do need to inform others of RAOK that we do, for the sake of encouraging/stimulating others.

God knows my heart. I'm not bragging (I have nothing to brag about in myself) when I tell a tale of good things I have done for others.

Blasé said...

“Be careful not to practice your righteousness in front of others to be seen by them."

The operative words are-

"..to be seen.."

Silver Strands said...

I have more to say. I had more to say before I read the "rest of the story". 1st, thank you for sharing this Marla. Because I know that once you share something that you did, just because it was right, it takes a way a little bit from the sweet feeling of being anonymous. So I know it took something from you to share this.

Faith, true faith, is an action word. It is not passive. It is not just belief. Sheesh ... even the devil believes in God. True faith means acting on what we believe. It means, that as part of the human race, we ascend together. We lift each other because that is what this existence is all about. How lonely life would be if our actions were just selfish ...

God does love all of us. And He is all powerful and can accomplish His desires whether we join Him or not. But passive belief is not faith. Someone will help God as He helps others. And as you've shared, with your experience with Ann, being on the helping side can't be beat.

So glad to call you my friend Marla.
xoxox
Denalee

PS - great recovery Blase.

Blasé said...

@Hi OH SILVER...awaaaaaay!

I'm always impressed with someone who attempts to think about a matter....especially religious folks. Unfortunately, many times people don't think quite enough about a matter.

Show me a person who is perfect at all times in being "active" with their "faith"...and I'll give you a free ticket to a Joel Osteen concert. Sheesh!

"He that knows to do a good thing but doesn't do it, it is a sin to him". I will safely assume that nobody has their "DO" list with 100% of the boxes checked. So...do you not know that the measure of "faith" varies not only in everyone, but at different times with everyone??

Every time you worry about something (and you do)...you are proving that you either don't have faith, or your faith is weak. But, don't worry Ms Strands, God is bigger than your mustard seed. He will work with it, and he'll still love you even when you're not sweating to try to please him.


p.s. I didn't even read the whole post (first one), I just got the gist of it being something that Bob made a decision on....therefore his decision was 'right', because he is the "head" of his wife. No "recovery" here.


p.s.s Marla is MY friend too. Watch..

xoxoxoxxxxooooxxxoooo SEE!

Libbie said...

SO cool to hear your story of Ann& her baby boy & even more exciting to hear what is right around the corner for you! You TOTALLY let Jesus shine & I know you do it just for Him, not for our entertainment. You are such an example! Thanks Marla!!!

Sonya said...

Im so glad you posted the second part..Do you still see her??? I'm so glad you were able to find one another..to help and learn and just be there for her when noone else was.

Blasé said...

ok...this is like the 3rd time we have asked- "DO YOU STILL SEE HER?"


As soon as you are done with your sandwich, please answer our question. Thanks!

Out of my castle said...

Thanks Marla for shining for God!these are things that are born from the heart of God and some people might think we are forced to be good but it's not like that! When Christ is in your heart, these fruits come in a natural way... thank you Marla for being an example of listener and doer of God's will!

gayle said...

I am so glad that everything turned out well for this girl and your family.

Rawknrobyn.blogspot.com said...

I just want to say that I really want to figure out a way to meet you in person (along with your hubs and family). You're one of my favorite bloggers, and I'm sorry I haven't visited in a while. Thanks for your comment.
xoRobyn

Not So Simply Single said...

Damn it, I am sobbing...I knew that you would win the argument on this one. We, women instinctively know that we are to take care of those in need.

Dinner, what a plan! Cuz a woman's gotta do what a woman's gotta do, and a man with a full belly makes much better decisions! God love you sweet darling Marla. I wish we were neighbors, I'd have you over for coffee...(save the cookies for later)

Love,
Lisa

Not So Simply Single said...

Blase', a man is not always right because he is the husband. He jumped to conclusions, contempt prior to investigation.

I am with MARLA all the way. (spitting out tongue at you Blase')

Marla, you ROCK!

Lisa

Deborah said...

Gosh, I adore this story and it makes me adore you that much more.

When I was reading the part where you were wondering what would happen when Bob came home had me crying.

I love how you simply hugged him and put your head in his chest.

It worked out the way it was supposed to and the way you were seeing it in your head.