Read Online What She Left for Me by Tracie Peterson - Free Book Online

comment. “Well, she may have a messy life, but messes are made all the time. The important point is to clean them up.” Taffy began pulling off the gloves. “Like this room. It’s a lovely room but hardly serviceable at this point. It just needs the mess cleared away.”
    “Jana’s life isn’t a bedroom that can be cleaned, Taffy. She has some very big problems to confront—issues that won’t simply go away.”
    Taffy placed the gloves on the bed, then unzipped the gown. “And this room could be as messy as the attic. Bigger messes just require more time to clean—more patience.”
    “It’s not that simple and you know it,” Eleanor replied in her most serious tone. Sometimes she thought Taffy might be losing touch with reality.
    “Human beings are never simple,” Taffy replied softly. “That’s why they need God. Only the Creator could understand His creation and what they need. Why, the Bible says that God can cleanse away all unrighteousness. So why would He have any trouble cleaning up a little girl’s life?”
    “Jana’s no little girl. She’s a grown woman whose husband has run off with his secretary. She’s going to have to face a divorce and the problems that come with being betrayed in this manner.”
    “But she doesn’t have to face them alone. She’s a Christian, and she knows that God will help her through these bad times. You used to think the same thing. You used to believe that God cared. Why, I remember when you found Jesus.”
    “I found Him, all right,” Eleanor said in anger as she picked up a bucket. “And like everyone else in my life, He didn’t want me.”
    “Eleanor! You know that isn’t true. How can you speak such a lie?” Taffy actually sounded angry. It surprised Eleanor.
    “I say it because that’s the way I feel. My life has proven to me that God has no real concern for my well-being.” Eleanor headed for the door. “I’m going for some water.”
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    Taffy stared at the place where Eleanor had stood and shook her head. How could her niece be so hard-hearted? Sure, she’d endured more than her share of misery, but pain and sorrow haunted every life. Not just Eleanor’s.
    Taffy finished dressing and began to fold the satin dress. How she longed to share some encouragement with Eleanor. Some glimpse of light that would give her strength for the journey. The light, of course, was Jesus, but Eleanor wanted no part of Him. She would often comment about Taffy’s upbeat personality and positive spirit, but she refused to believe it was as simple as abandoning her life to a higher power—to the only power worthy of her love.
    And soon there would be two of them. Two bitter, angry, betrayed souls who were sure that love could never again come to them—never be faithful—never be worth the pain.
    Taffy looked upward. “Well, you’ve got your hands full this time, Lord. Let me know if I can help.” She put the gown aside. “I wish I were younger; maybe then they’d take me more seriously when I suggest the way to find real peace.”
    “Who are you talking to?” Eleanor asked as she reappeared with the water.
    Taffy smiled. “You know me. Sometimes I talk to God, sometimes I talk to myself.”
    Eleanor put the bucket on the floor and straightened. She gave Taffy a look that suggested she didn’t see the value of either option. “I’ll get the vacuum and then mop the floor. If you’ll strip the bed, I’ll wash the linens while the floor dries.”
    “We must dust first,” Taffy said, glancing around the room. “I learned that from the housekeeper who cared for one of the former governors in New York. We were talking one day about housekeeping, and she, being a paid servant, felt no hesitation in expressing her opinion. She was of Irish decent, so she gave her opinion with great enthusiasm. I simply love the Irish—don’t you?” she asked, then continued without waiting for an answer. “She told me it was important to open the windows, dust the