Part XLII: 

Letting the Cat out of the Bag

 www.ambassadorsforJesus5.com

   Therefore judge nothing before the appointed time; wait until the Lord comes. He will bring to light what is hidden in darkness and will expose the motives of the heart. At that time each will receive their praise from God.  ~1 Corinthians 4:5

     They had then settled into the dining room where Maria began to lay out an impressive spread.  When she had finished Alex commented in awe, "Maria, you have outdone yourself.  It all looks so delicious."

     "And smells delicious," Sarah chimed in.

     Alex then got up and gave her a standing ovation.  Reuben and Sarah followed suit.  

    "Gracias," Maria gushed.

     After they had settled back into their seats Reuben said grace. "Heavenly Father, we come before you in the name of your precious son, Jesus Christ.  Thank you Lord for providing so bountifully for us and giving us the opportunity to fellowship together.  We ask you to bless this food as we partake of it, and bless the hands that prepared it, in Jesus name.  Amen." 

     The others echoed, "Amen,"  and Maria then said, "Well, don't be shy.  Go ahead.  Dig in."

     "You don't have to tell me twice," Alex assured her as he reached for the octupus salad before offering some to Sarah.

     Maria continued, "I didn't use as many spices today so I hope it tastes as good as it looks."  She then looked at Sarah and explained, "We Latinos like to cook with alot of spices...can be challenging for the stomach if you're not used to it." 

      "Oh, the salad is delicious," Sarah complimented with much appreciation.

     "And that's just the beginning..." Alex declared as he then reached for the Paella serving spoon and gave her a generous serving before filling his own plate."

     "Bro, leave some for me," Reuben whined while he watched Alex fill his plate. 

     "There's plenty there, right Maria?"

     "That's right Alex.  Reuben, leave Alex alone.  He doesn't get to eat my food as often as you do."

     Alex then shot him a smug look before turning the serving spoon over to him. 

     "This is my favorite time of the day," Maria shared still aglow with joy, "Family gathered around the dinner table and fellowshipping together, don't you agree amor?"

     "Yes," came Reuben's response.  "Although with all them gadgets they have nowadays it can be a project trying to round up the kids for dinner.  I feel like we're competing with the cellphones, the internet, and video games."

     Alex nodded, "I've heard similar complaints from others."    

     "For real bro.  They're like zombies with them things, as if their life depended on the next message.  Makes you wonder what's so important.  I had to learn how to use a few of them gadgets just to keep up with them...but I'll admit, it has its advantages too.  I just don't know if it's worth it in the long run, and I did put limits on their use."

     Maria then interjected, "Reuben is a fine papa and is generally a carefree spirit, but he does worry too much about the children.  You just have to lay down some ground rules for them.  They need the discipline and it will help them in life in the long run.  It takes alot of patience to have children but it is so worth it...also helps teach you about God's love."

     Sarah was savoring the meal while listening to them.  Before she knew it she had found herself saying, "You are truly blessed Maria...I can't have children."

     As if lightning had struck the room, the animated conversation came to a dead halt as Maria, Reuben, and Alex sat there in shock.  

     Catching the change in the atmosphere and realizing she had let the cat out of the bag sooner than she had intended, Sarah then looked around at the others.  Sure enough, they were all sitting there motionless as if frozen in time and with shocked looks on their faces.  Reuben, Alex, and then back to Maria who now looked like she was about to pass out.  Sarah's heart quickly plunged downwards and feeling the need for space she then asked, "Where's your bathroom?"

     It was apparent that the cat now had a hold of Maria's tongue, and the disheartened signal from Sarah to her antenna had been short-circuited by this sudden and unexpected shock.  Picking up on it, Reuben was the first to snap out of it and gesturing towards the back replied, "Through the hall towards the back of the living room, first door on your right."

     Once Sarah was in the bathroom and safely out of earshot Maria just about jumped out of her chair.  Now standing she turned to her husband and repeatedly jabbed at her arm with her finger while exclaiming real animated and fast, "Me paradon los pellos!  Me paradon los pellos!"  

     Maria then held out her arm to Alex and said in sheer excitement and wonder, "Alex, look, look.  When she said that the hairs on my arms stood up.  Alex, that woman is for yooouuu." 

     Alex began to laugh but inside he was no less astonished than she was.  He just hadn't had time to digest and process the information.

     "I'm serious Alex!" Maria passionately chided him, then turning to her husband she said, "Reuben, look, he laughs at me," then back to Alex she continued, "When I get these feelings...Mark my words Alex, that woman is for yooouuu!" 

     Reuben was quite familiar with this scene.  He knew Maria was riding the wave of excitement and it was at its peak.  Although, he also knew that when Maria felt this strongly about something it was often grounded in a reception signal from the Lord.  He then came to his wife's aid.  

     "Bro, I know how you feel about running with our feelings but you have to admit that was weird even for us.  I'm with Maria on this one."  At such solemn times like this Reuben generally had a wise crack ready, but this time he was dead serious.

     Alex couldn't speak.  Although he marveled at what he had learned about Sarah...and especially what the Lord may have been up to, so much was coming at him so fast from all directions he needed time to sort it all out.

     Meanwhile, in the bathroom Sarah paced nervously back and forth before settling down on the cover of the toilet seat.  Covering her face in her hands she thought of how the news had gone over.  The idea of bringing it up now hadn't even crossed her mind, it just came out and it went worse than even she could have imagined.  Sarah let out a disheartened breath as she thought of the saying that most of our fears are unfounded.  Well, this apparently wasn't one of those times...and about this, of all things.  It had already been the object of much grief and pain in her relationships with men and she felt like a bandaid had been ripped from an old wound.  Sarah desperately tried to fight the tears that were demanding release.  Disconcerted at her own strong reaction to the shock on their faces, she had to admit that her feelings for Alex were stronger than she had cared to admit.  

     'Oh God,' Sarah silently prayed, 'How could you let this happen to me?'  As soon as the question was formed in her head she recognized the folly in that type of thinking.  'No, it's not God's fault,' she told herself, 'I brought this on myself.  I, and I alone am to blame.  I should have told him the night he asked me out.'  She then continued to berate herself, 'What was I thinking?!  Why didn't I keep a better guard on my heart?' 

     Sarah didn't want to leave the shelter of the bathroom, the thought of seeing more shock on their faces was too much for her to bear.  Turning to prayer she whispered, "Oh God, I don't know what to do?  Please help me get through the rest of this evening Lord..." then reminded of her dance lessons she added, "and help me keep my focus on you.  I can't do it without you."  

     With determined resolve she then got up, and after wiping the tears that had broken through, she opened the door and began to tentatively return to the dining room.

     Just then Alex had heard the bathroom door open and motioned for them to calm down.  Catching on, they all quickly dropped silent once again.  

     As Sarah entered the room she smiled weakly, but she diverted looking straight into their eyes while she took her seat next to Alex.  The room was so silent you could hear a pin drop.  Maria's receptors began to operate again and detecting a signal of sadness from Sarah she then said, "I'm so sorry to hear that Sarah...although you know nothing is impossible with God.  Remember Sarah in the bible, even in her old age God opened up her womb." 

     "Thank you Maria," Sarah replied, grateful for her hostess sympathetic words.  "I'm fine with it, really."  Then with a peace in her heart that even surprised her, she continued, "It's never been a priority in my life as I wanted to be available for God to use me as He pleased." 

     More silence, so thick it was deafening.

     As she spoke, Sarah had been impressed at how calm and coherent her words had sounded, but as she became increasingly aware of the unnerving silence, and observed Maria's eyes widen again to reveal further shock, she began to feel that sinking feeling again, and once again she grew disheartened.  Although, with prayer for help and her own initial shock over, it wasn't as bad as before and she sensed the Lord with her. 

     Nonetheless, concerned over possibly offending her hostess who had welcomed her with open arms and such hospitality...and obviously doing all she could to make her feel right at home, Sarah then apologetically went on, "Oh, I'm sorry.  That didn't come out right.  I didn't mean to imply that children are a hinderance.  I think being a mother is an incredible and precious gift.  What a wonderful position the Lord has honored us women with.  I have a great respect for the position and much admiration for moms.  It's really awesome."      

     After another awkward moment of silence Reuben then interjected, "Well, if you ever decide that you want one, you can have one of ours.  Have your pick of the litter, we have our hands full here!"  

     As if it were an automatic reflex, Maria then quickly turned to him and smacked him on the shoulder.  Reuben then yelled, "Ouch!"

     They all broke out laughing then, even Maria and Sarah couldn't help it.  Maria then turned to Sarah and said, "He can be so fresh at times but such is the cross we have to bear when we are in love.  Don't you worry, I know what you mean.  I know someone who feels the same way."

     Only then did Sarah have the courage to look at Alex.  He was intently watching her but he was grinning and his eyes were dancing.  After giving her a wink, he then turned to Reuben. 

     "Reuben, you had better behave because if it comes to a spout between the two of you, my money is on Maria."

     "I have the bruises to prove it," Reuben agreed as he shook his head.

     "Oh, stop being such a baby," Maria lovingly chided.  "I have enough kids to raise around here."

     "That's what I'm talking about Maria!"  Reuben was back and as usual he had ceased the opportunity to serve up another wisecrack in hopes of lightening up the mood.  Yes, there were times to be serious, but then there were times to see the wisdom in cutting through the current atmosphere by seeing the humor in things, something Alex had also learned from Reuben. 

     Maria then waved him off, and with the solemn atmosphere now broken, they then moved on to less personal ground as they continued to feast on the meal before them.

Part XLIII:  Light and Darkness