Scent of Magnolia by Frances Devine

Author:Frances Devine
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Barbour Publishing, Inc.
Published: 2013-09-03T04:00:00+00:00

eleven

The rustle of starched dresses and scuffling of shoes joined the muffled laughter and conversation of neighbors and friends who hadn’t seen one another for a week.

Helen helped usher the children to their seats on the long pews. She stepped into the row, but before she could sit, she felt a hand on her elbow. Her heart gave a little jump as she looked up into Patrick’s smiling face.

She moved over so Molly could sit beside her with Patrick on the end. Flashing them both a smile, Helen straightened her spine and looked forward to where Silas Monroe, the song leader of the day, stood behind the pulpit, fanning through the pages of the hymnal.

Silas cleared his throat loudly, and the congregation gave him their attention. “Good morning, brothers and sisters. It’s nice to see you all here on this fine, sunshiny Lord’s day. The first song we’re gonna sing reflects that nicely. Turn to page 47.”

Helen knew the lovely gospel song by heart, and she sang along with the other raised voices.

Oh there’s sunshine, blessed sunshine,

When the peaceful, happy moments roll;

When Jesus shows His smiling face,

There is sunshine in the soul.

To be honest, she wasn’t feeling all that sunshiny this morning. The situation with Margaret still hung over them. Dr. Trent had decided to leave the matter in the director’s hands since she was expected back the next day. So, until then, the girl was confined to her room except to attend church services.

But that wasn’t the only thing weighing on her. She couldn’t deny to herself any longer that her feelings for Patrick had grown beyond friendship. And if his actions were any indication, he felt the same toward her. She’d struggled most of the night with the conflict in her heart. Should she take the chance on falling in love and having to leave the school and the children who meant so much to her? If not, then could she harden her heart toward Patrick and prevent that from happening?

She started at a tug on her sleeve and realized everyone had stood. She gave Molly a smile and stood, her face blazing.

Patrick threw her a questioning lift of an eyebrow, and she pretended not to see but focused on the hymnal as they sang the last verse.

Reverend Shepherd’s message was on hearing God’s voice. Helen listened intently. How could she know she was doing God’s will? Obviously His Word was His will, but some things couldn’t be found in the Bible. What about finding God’s will when the choices were both good ones? How did one know?

The reverend spoke of letting God guide you, of God’s still, small voice and inner peace, but Helen couldn’t quite wrap her mind around what he was saying. Of course, there had been times when she knew in her heart that she was or was not making a right decision. But many times, she continued to struggle. She sighed. One thing she was sure of—God’s Word was truth and if she didn’t understand then it wasn’t God’s fault.

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