The Groom Danced at Midnight

I started unloading boxes. More women came in carrying boxes of their own. With so few bodies signing up to help with VBS, we sometimes have to double up on assignments. So besides teaching a class of fifth graders, I am also in charge of the kitchen crew serving snacks at snack time. I have to make sure the snacks are served in the quad area on time and in abundance.

We have a list of registered children, but there are always children from the surrounding neighborhoods who decide to come at the last minute and we need to have enough snacks to feed all who show up. Fortunately for me I have a willing understudy in Heather Bates.

Heather was already in the kitchen organizing the snacks and the crew to serve them. “Hi Sandra, I have everything under control here if you want to organize your classroom.”

“Thanks Heather.” Didn’t I tell you I know how to delegate?

I turned around to leave when Rebecca Ingram ran into the kitchen with one more box and dropped in on the counter. “I’m sorry, I’m late. Daniel got home from his trip today and I completely lost track of the time!”

“Was he on another business trip?” Heather asked.

“Yes, and he was gone for a whole month! There were some problems in the Chicago office he had to work through before he could come home.”

“Well, no wonder you’re late!” Heather teased. Rebecca reddened. “We did have some things to catch up on. He called me every night he was gone, but I sure did miss him. He promised not to be gone so long next time.”

I admire Daniel and Rebecca Ingram. They have seven children and are completely devoted to each other and to their family. Daniel is also owner of Ingram Pharmaceuticals and Lawrence’s boss. Daniel has worked hard building up the family business after his father’s sudden unexpected death of a heart attack few years earlier.

Both Rebecca and Daniel are actively involved in the life of our church. Rebecca is an important part of the Sunday school and Women’s Bible study and Daniel serves on the church elder board with Lawrence. Rebecca and Daniel’s marriage is an inspiration to all those who meet them.

They have that rare ability to balance their life together, their children’s needs and Daniel’s work and travel schedule like a harmony of musical notes working together to create a magical masterpiece of love and hope. ***

Rebecca and I left the kitchen and walked across the quad toward our classrooms. I love this time of day when the hot triple digit temperatures begin to cool down. The usual late afternoon breeze blew through the campus and cooled my face; a welcome relief from the hot dry air of midday.

Rebecca said, “Did I tell you that Pastor is starting a marriage mentoring program? He’s asked Daniel and me to head it up.”

“No, I haven’t heard about it. How does it work?”

“Pastor wants people who have stable marriages to be available to mentor couples who are having difficulty in their marriages. Daniel and I talked it over and we both think it’s a great idea. “As a matter of fact, we’d like you and Lawrence to be a part of it with us and maybe you know of more couples who might be interested in marriage mentoring. What do you think; would you be willing to do it?”

“What would we have to do?”

“There is no set schedule. Sometimes a couple runs into trouble with their relationship and all they need is a sounding board, somebody to talk to who has a bit more experience. Pastor will usually assign the couples. Most of it is just being available once in a while to sit down and listen to people who may need a helping hand in their marriage.”

“I’ll talk to Lawrence, but I don’t see any reason why we couldn’t participate. It sounds like a great idea!”

I have heard it said that people don’t really know each other even after years of friendship, but I don’t believe it. Maybe it’s true in some people where in the deep recesses of their personality they hide their true selves for their own twisted psychological or philosophical reasons, so yes, maybe it’s true in some cases but I was sure I didn’t know anybody that deceitful.

I didn’t know it on this day walking across campus beside my friend, as the twilight surrendered to the gathering darkness and the welcome breeze cooled our faces, but as it turned out, Rebecca’s own husband proved to be one of those deceitful people and when it was all over, he would break her heart and shock all who knew him.