Read Online Loving Promises by Gail Gaymer Martin - Free Book Online

to know?” He reached across the distance and rested a hand on her arm. “And this is not one-sided. I can ask questions, too.”
    “Fair,” she said, wishing she could refuse, but knowing she couldn’t. Still, no one said she had to reveal the whole truth. Half the story wouldn’t exactly be lying.
    Dale eased forward and rested his arms against the chair back.
    She collected her thoughts and decided to begin withher main concern. “What bothers me the most is your attitude toward God.”
    Bev noticed him cringe with her comment, but she barreled along. “Your parents are obviously Christians. You were raised in the faith. So what happened?”
    “That’s difficult to answer.”
    She sensed he was being evasive and waited, her eyes searching his.
    “It’s obvious, I suppose. My mother and father have been the best. They’ve given me more than I can repay. I consider their relationship perfect. I believe that for each person there’s one soul mate, one special person and no other.”
    “You mean once you fall in love that’s it?”
    “Yes,” he said. “If God directs us, then we’re led to that one person He meant for us.”
    Her heart skipped at the thought. She and Jesse? That couldn’t have been God’s guidance. “I disagree, Dale. Do you remember that God gives us free will. I told you a few days ago that I ask for God’s direction, but I don’t always listen. That’s wrong, but it’s part of our human sinfulness. We make bad choices sometimes. I don’t blame the Lord for that.”
    “Well, I do. He’s almighty. Omniscient.”
    “But he’s not a tyrant. He gives us freedom to choose.”
    “That was God’s mistake.”
    Bev recoiled. His comment felt like a slap.
    “I’m sorry, Bev. I’ve shocked you. I don’t know if God really listens to everyone. He’s dealing with war and famine, dying and birth. Why listen to me? So why should I listen to Him?”
    Bev’s heart broke, hearing his honesty.
    “When my mother was diagnosed with MS, I spent so much time in prayer. I begged and pleaded, but my mom has gone downhill. I’ve seen no mercy. How can I love a God who does that to one of the sweetest women in the world?”
    “God has promised us love, forgiveness and salvation. He is plenteous in mercy, Scripture tells us, but we don’t see the big picture, Dale. We don’t know why things happen. I blame the world’s sin and evil on Satan, not God. The devil undermines the Lord’s work in every way, and not because the Lord isn’t powerful, but because He’s created us in His likeness. He’s given us that free will that I mentioned before. We make bad choices.”
    Dale’s eyes narrowed as if he were searching Bev’s soul, and she held her breath.
    “I don’t know, Bev. I just know what I feel.”
    “It’s okay to feel anger and frustration. I do that with my kids all the time, but I don’t stop loving them. We’re God’s children, and he never stops loving us.” She made a quick glance around the room, figuring the look was futile. “I don’t suppose you have a Bible handy.”
    His head snapped upward. “I do.”
    Her heart skipped and filled with hope. “Could I see it?”
    He rose without comment and headed into the hallway. Bev sat suspended, praying she could find the verse she wanted to share.
    In moments, he returned carrying a well-worn black leather Bible. “This was my grandfather’s,” he said.
    Disappointment shuffled through her. She’d hoped perhaps he’d been the one to dog-ear the pages. She extended her hand. “It’s in Hebrews, if I remember correctly.”
    “That’s in the New Testament,” he said.
    He knew it was the New Testament, and she smiled. If he knew that much, maybe he knew even more. She prayed his faith hadn’t drifted too far off course. Being angry at God and being an unbeliever weren’t the same.
    As her thoughts piled one on the other, she flipped through the pages, scanning the verses. “Here it is in the tenth chapter.