In Pursuit Of Peace by Jennifer Johnson

Author:Jennifer Johnson
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Barbour Publishing, Inc.
Published: 2012-09-12T00:00:00+00:00

Ten

Gideon sipped his coffee, remembering the sweetness of Lydia’s touch and how she fit perfectly in his arms. It hurt him to see her crying, but it felt right to be the one to comfort her pain. He wanted to protect her, to make her happy. For the first time in his life, he longed to love a woman in the manner God spoke of in scripture—more than his own life.

The reality of the depth of his feelings struck him, and he took another sip. Did every man feel as though he could take on the world when the woman he loved was in pain? As she cried in his arms, Gideon would have done anything to make her happy and content. I’ve never felt this way, Lord.

“You’re awfully quiet this morning.” Mama traced the top of her coffee mug with her finger.

“Just thinking.”

“Penny for your thoughts.”

Gideon looked at Mama and smiled at her grin. He couldn’t even begin to count the many times he’d heard Mama say that. Usually to one of his sisters. They always seemed to be the ones to do the extra thinking. Gideon and his brothers were doers. They rarely worried about anything. “I’m not sure if you can help me.”

“Son, I’ve lived a long time. My guess is I can help you, but if I can’t, I know someone who can.”

Gideon loved his mother. She drove him to insanity at times, but she truly was a woman of strength and faith. He should have talked to her long ago. “What happens when what you want conflicts with what someone else needs?”

Mama tapped her fingers on the table. “Well, that depends. If you’re talking about buying an expensive car just because you think you look good in it and you take on more debt than you can afford. . .well, you better not be buying that car.” Mama clicked her tongue. “Or if you’re talking about going to an Indianapolis Colts game because you were given free tickets but it’s at the same time as your family’s annual reunion. . .you better give up those tickets.” Mama leaned forward and rested her elbows on the table. “But I don’t think those scenarios are what we’re talking about.”

Gideon shook his head.

“Well, I think a person has to evaluate if he understands need from want.”

“Of course I understand need from want.” Gideon sat back in his chair. Mama’s intense look made him uncomfortable.

“You sure?”

A car door slammed. Footsteps sounded on the porch. Before Gideon had time to respond, the back door flung open. Maria’s eyes were as big as a deer’s caught in headlights. “Dad is sick.”

“What’s wrong?” Mama guided a distraught Maria to a chair. Gideon grabbed a mug and poured some coffee.

Maria shook her head and popped up out of the seat. “He’s so pale and tired. He says he can’t get up. Not even to come to work.”

Gideon’s concern heightened. Jim never missed work. “Where is he?”

“At his apartment. He told me to go on to work, that he’d be okay.

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