Whatever LIfe Gives Us

by,
Rose

The thunder boomed. The lightning flashed. The rain beat on the little house’s roof.

“Mommy, I’m scared,” murmured nine-year-old Sandra.

“I know honey; hopefully the thunder will stop soon.”

“Can we pray to God, Mommy?” asked little Mya. “He can stop the thunder, I know He can.”

Mrs. McGuthrie blinked. She tried very hard not to let her facial expression portray what she felt inside.  How could my little daughter have faith in a God who didn’t care about us or love us? How could she even stand the thought of him?  

“Sure,” she said shortly. “Dear God,” She winced as she even said the word. “Help this thunder and lightning to stop, and bring Daddy home quickly. Amen.”

Why did I do that? How could I have thought even for a minute that God cared enough to bring him home? If God really cared he wouldn’t let Ryan get into all trouble that he does. If he really cared he wouldn’t let us live in this shack. If he really cared he wouldn’t have let Max die. If he really cared he-

“Mother look who’s coming,” sniffled Sandra from her position at the makeshift window.

Dola was almost sad that her daughter had interrupted her train of thoughts. “Who is it darling?” she replied as she struggled off the ground and onto her feet.

“I think it’s, actually I’m not sure.”

“Ok, I will come take a look. Oh my, that is Mr. Tate the sheriff. I wonder what he wants.” Oh please help it not to be what I think is. Help Ryan to be safe and help him not to be in trouble.  

The dreaded knock sounded at the door. As Dola Mae McGuthrie opened the door she could feel in her heart that something was wrong.

“Hello Mrs. McGuthrie, could I talk to you, in private?” the sheriff eyed the little girls.

“Yes, just a minute please. Children, could you please go into the bedroom?”

“But Mommy, I’m scared,” cried Sandra.

“Come on, it will be fine,” responded her little sister.

“Thank you, girls. Now sir what can I help you with?” Inside she was proud of the way her smallest daughter was not afraid of the same things that her big sister was.

“Well actually I was wondering what I could help YOU with.”

“I don’t know what you mean sir.”

“Well you know what with your husband bein’ jail and all I was just wondering if there was anything I could do for you and your family.”

“What!!!” Dola yelped.

“I’m sorry,” said the sheriff with a surprised look on his face. “ I didn’t mean to impose, but I was just tryin’ to be helpful.”

“Helpful! Will you please tell me what is going on!!!?”

“You mean you don’t know? That stupid, low down, no account fool!!! I told him to come tell you yesterday! I don’t mean to break the news to you this sudden like, but your husband is in jail.”

“Well, that isn’t exactly new.”  She knew that her husband was frequently put into jail for drinking too much and didn’t know why the sheriff was making this such a big deal. Yes, going to jail is big but they were used to it by now.

“He was arrested on the charge of murder,” mumbled the sheriff.

“Murder?” quietly repeated Dola. “He wouldn’t do that would he?” she seemed stunned.

“Well, by putting a couple of facts together we have surmised that it is true, although he protests it. I am sorry I had to arrest him, and that the news had to come across this way. You and your girls are some very nice people. Although you aren’t very well to do, your hearts are kind and forgiving. If there is anything at all, please let me know.”

“Thank you.” The room was quiet; she just now realized that the rain had stopped. The small clock on the mantle ticked slowly.

Um, I guess I will be going now,” said the sheriff after a couple minutes of awkward silence.

“Could I see him?” The skinny woman bluntly asked.

“Yes. Would you like me to take you to him?”

“That would be nice. Just a minute.”

“Sure.”

Dola walked into the bedroom.

“What did he want, Mother?” asked the girls in unison.

“Girls, your father is in jail.”

“Oh,” was their solemn answer.

“When will he get out?” inquired Sandra. 

“I don’t know darling, I don’t know.” The girl’s mother replied with a faraway look in her eyes.  “I’m going with Mr. Tate to the jailhouse. We will drop you girls off at the Carters home.”

“Ok, Mommy.”

“Sandra?”

“Oh Mommy,” she sobbed. “I don’t want Daddy to be in trouble.”

“Neither do I dear, but you have to be a big girl for me right now. I am going to go see him ask find out what happened and why he is in jail. Ok, dry your tears honey and we will be on our way.”

******

      Mrs. Elizabeth Carter was very gracious about letting the girls spend the afternoon at her home. In fact, she told Dola Mea to take her time and not to worry about Sandra and Mya.

******

    As Dola McGuthrie and Russ Tate walked into the jailhouse he turned to her and asked, “Would you like to go in with him or just talk through the bars?”

“I’ll go in if that is ok,” she replied.

“Of course.” He took two big strides to his desk and got the large ring of keys from off the top of it. She then followed him to the cell that her husband was in and watched as he singled one key out and unlocked the door.

“Thank you,” she whispered as it clinked back behind her. “Ryan?”

“Oh, Dola,” he murmured as he rushed toward her and slipped his arm around her waist.

“I just want to know one thing, did you do it? Did you kill that man?”

“No, I didn’t.” He stiffened and unwrapped his arm from her and walked to the window and looked out. “Did you think I did?”

“I don’t know. I just found out, and honestly, haven’t had time to really think things over. But no, I don’t truly think you did. Yes, you do a lot of bad things, but you still love me and the girls, you don’t treat us bad,” answered Dola.

“Thanks. Well, you better be going before it starts raining again,” he said without turning around.

“Yes. But please promise me that you won’t do anything stupid, I couldn’t live without you.”

He turned around and swooped her into one last hug. “Honey, I will do anything for you, well, almost. Russ, would you please come open this door for this beautiful young lady here?”

“Sure.” As Sheriff Russell Tate stood and as walked over to the cell containing the two people, Dola asked him, “When will Ryan be able to get out?”

“Well you see, the trial is in three days, so we will see what the verdict is.”  As he unlocked the door Ryan turned to Dola.

“Are you coming back tomorrow?”

“Yes, either tomorrow or the next day,” she replied.

Walking out the door of the jailhouse, she turned just in time to see him heave a big sigh and flop down on the cot. She turned on the next street and walked down to the livery. On arriving there she asked if she could rent a horse and a small rig. They accommodated her quite nicely. On the ride back to the Carter’s she had time alone to think things over, and since she was alone she fell back into her old habit of talking to herself. 

“Did he really kill Mr. Clarke? If so, why would he lie to me about it? How long will he be in jail?  If they do find him guilty of murder, what would happen to him? Will he die? Or will he just have a life sentence?  Will people ever stop talking about my family? I’ll just have to have a talk with Elizabeth this evening.” As the ranch came into view, she stopped talking.

 When supper was over, Melinda took Mya and Sandra up to bed, and the others were relaxing.  Dola took this opportunity to ask Elizabeth if they could talk. They went into the parlor and took a seat on the settee.

“Now, what did you want to talk about?”

“Well, I am confused. I have all these questions in my head that I have no answers to.”

“Like what kind of questions?’ prodded Elizabeth.

“Like how can my littlest daughter have faith in a God that doesn’t care about us, and-“

“That is where you are wrong dear. God does care about you. John 3:16 says ‘For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten son, that whosoever believeth in him shall not perish but have everlasting life.’ ”

“Then if he loves us so much, why did he let Ryan’s father die, why did he let Ryan change how he did, and why did he let Ryan be accused of murder?”

“Well the truth is, I don’t know. But Romans 8:28 says ‘And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God.’”

“But, but I don’t know if I love Him anymore.

“But God’s word says in Ephesians 2:4-5 - But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ— by grace you have been saved ...’ He has loved us so much, it is hard but to love Him back when you see all the wonderful things He has given us, Even though He give us struggles and hardships as well.”

“My mother used to quote that to me as a child, I loved God back then. I want to now but I don’t know if I am ready.”

“Why wait? There is a whole new world out there just waiting for you. Would you like to give your life back to God?”

“Yes, I would.” Dola replied tearfully.”Lord, I know I have done some terrible things in my life, please forgive me. Please give me the strength to face whatever you have before me. I know with you on my side I can do anything life brings. Thank you for always being there for me. Amen.” 

Thank you very much Elizabeth, I will try to make it up to you some day.”

The next day Dola went into the sheriff’s office and told Ryan what happened to her.

“Dola, there is something I need to tell you. I really did kill Mr. Clarke.” He paused at the shocked look that overcame her face; he felt he owed her an explanation.

“You know him, always talking his mouth off, and this time he was talking about you and how you should’ve courted him when he asked you instead of marrying me. He called you a name that when I heard it I couldn’t help myself, and punched him in the face. He fell to the ground and hit his head on the rock.        

“When I saw he was dead I ran. Yes, I know that I should’ve stayed, but I was scared, I’ve never killed anyone before. Someone saw me running and went to check what I was running from and found dead Silas Clarke. That man told sheriff here about me and sent a posse out for me. They caught up with me at the old James’ barn and hauled me back here. I guess I got what I deserved.

“These have been the longest three nights in my entire life. Last night Mitch Carter was in here and he was telling me what life really can be like. I gave my heart to Christ and promised to take on a steady job if I ever get out of here. Then I could move you and the girls into a real house again. But even if I die, or have to stay in jail forever I’ve decided to live a life that will bring honor and praise to the King.”

Dola rushed toward him and hugged him in a bear hug “I love you! Now you need to tell Mr. Tate what you just told me. Perhaps because or your change of life they will clear you of the charge.”

“That really isn’t likely, but God sometimes works in mysterious ways. Russ, will you please come here a minute? There is something that I want to tell you.”

Russ was very understanding and said that he would put in a good word for him at the trial, but other than that everything else was out of his power. But he doubted that Ryan would have to give life for life.

“Thank you,” Ryan told the sheriff. Russell walked back to his desk and Ryan turned to Dola and slipped his arm around her waist and said “Dola Mae McGuthrie, you are the love of my life. Whatever life gives us we can face with God.