The Preacher's Son - Juliette Duncan Page 0,25

Hayden standing there that evening when I thought I’d lost him forever.

Julia toyed with her drink. “So, he never returned to Bible College? Was he really going just to please his father?”

I nodded slowly. “Back then, I think so. But now I worry that I pulled him from his calling. That’s kind of why we’re here. I didn’t want to come at first, but it was important to Hayden.”

Julia’s eyes were kind as she responded. “You haven’t taken him away from anything, Penny. It seems that God brought you both together and has blessed you. Things happen in God’s time and in God’s way, not ours...or our father-in-law's.”

I couldn’t help laughing as Julia’s eyes twinkled mischievously. She was more fun than I’d realised when I first arrived and felt slightly intimidated by her air of serenity. “I guess so,” I said, chuckling as I took a long sip of my drink.

“But now,” she continued, “maybe this is the time during which Hayden is supposed to explore his calling. And you, too. Perhaps that’s why you’re both here.”

“Honestly, I’m worried that’s the case.”

Her brows lifted and she held my gaze. She was waiting for me to explain.

“I’ve been feeling restless for a while, as though something needs to change.” That I was confiding in her surprised me, but something about her manner made it seem so natural to do so. “Not in any drastic way. I’m happy with our life together, and the children and my career. It’s more of a niggling feeling that’s difficult to explain. I think Hayden has been feeling the same way, and at first that scared me. At some deep level I think I was scared he would leave me again.”

“He’s not going to do that,” Julia said softly.

“No, he’s not,” I agreed. “And once I understood and confronted that fear it diminished, but I guess I’m still worried about how being here will impact our lives. Just how big of a change is coming? We’ve got a comfortable life, and I’ve grown used to Hayden working around me and picking up the slack with the kids, but I know I can’t be selfish. I have to support him in exploring this...” I trailed off, not sure how to put my feelings clearly into words.

Julia touched my hand gently. “Go on.”

“I would be a rubbish preacher’s wife,” I blurted. “Holding bake sales and arranging coffee mornings...it simply isn’t me. I can’t even bake a cake without burning it.”

Julia burst out laughing, and I couldn’t help joining in.

“Surely I’m not like that!” she gasped.

“No,” I admitted, “but then both you and David are in ministry. You’re not just the supporting wife.”

Julia stopped laughing and nodded her head sagely. “That’s it,” she said.

“What is?”

“You’re worried about losing your identity. You take pride in not being a traditional wife and mother, but you feel guilty about it, too.”

I stared at her, shocked. It was as though she’d seen straight into my soul. “How did you know?”

She shrugged. “It’s a gift I have. We all have different gifts, Penny, given to us by God. I very much doubt that He wants you to start hosting coffee mornings and bake sales, although that sounds like bliss to me some days. It’s hard work here.”

“I bet. A week and I’m already pooped.” I hesitated, then asked, “So what should I do?”

“Trust,” she said simply. “Trust that you’re in the right place for both of you and see how it unfolds.”

I nodded, wishing there was an easier way. Then I thought about Leon and his trust issues, and how they could potentially hold him back from making the right choices. From receiving the blessings that were right in front of him.

“There are no coincidences, are there?” I said wryly.

“I haven’t had one yet,” Julia said, grinning. We finished our drinks and she walked me to the car. I had a meeting scheduled with a small local charity with a view to joining forces to help create a referral pathway with the police.

“Thank you, Julia,” I said sincerely. “Talking about that really helped.”

“Good, I’m glad.” She smiled and gave me a friendly hug.

I watched her walk away and then readied myself for another afternoon of work that I was finding as fulfilling as it was frustrating.

What would happen, if at the end of the three weeks, it was me who didn’t want to leave?

Hayden

“Maria and I would like to invite you and your wife for lunch one day soon,” Felipe said as we sat