Free Tomorrow's Treasure by Linda Lee Chaikin Page A

the ground. He watched her, a worried crease between his brows.
    â€œI see.” She looked back toward the hut. “Yes, I see now. That explains her behavior.” Her heart thumped, causing an ache in her chest.
Take Evy to America?
    â€œI do not see how we can turn her away. If she asks us for our help, we must try.”
    Junia’s throat constricted.
Am I so soon to lose this brief time of fulfillment?
Her first cry to God was one of bitter disappointment.
Why? Oh, Father, why? It is unfair!
    â€œJunia?” he said in a ragged whisper, reaching a tender finger to brush against her cheek. “If she wants her baby …”
    She tore her gaze from the hut and looked at her husband. His sympathy was so real, so visible, that his love for her warmed her heart and comforted her.
    â€œOur faith is being tried.” After an awkward moment he shook his head. “We can only trust His wisdom, His mercy in bringing Katie hereto us. There must be a reason. If God gave us Evy for only a little while, then … though it hurts to release her—”
    She had no answers, only questions that throbbed like festering wounds in her soul. Although she struggled for composure, all too soon the inevitable tears flooded her eyes. “Oh,
Clyde!
” She stepped toward him, and his arms wrapped about her and he buried his face against her hair.
    â€œDarling Junia!”
    She wept, trying to keep the sounds as quiet as possible, letting her sorrow flow, until her throat hurt. As all her happy dreams of having her own daughter ebbed away, she finally thought there were no more tears to flow. She looked up at her dear husband. “The L ORD gave, and the L ORD hath taken away; blessed be the name of the L ORD .”
    â€œNow I know why God gave you to me, Junia.” Clyde’s voice was hoarse, and his eyes now filled with tears. “There are few as brave and trusting as you. Few with such a lovely spirit of submission to the L ORD .” He reached over and brushed the windblown dark hair from her face.
    She tried to smile. “I love you for saying that, but I feel neither brave nor trusting.” She only knew that she must choose to act upon what she knew of God’s character. His good plans for them. Comforting words from Isaiah, chapter forty-three, breezed softly across her soul: “When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee: when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon thee. For I am the L ORD thy God.”
    Her sigh seemed to come from the depths of her soul. “I suppose there are reasons … I
know
there are reasons, though I cannot understand them.”
    â€œThe wounds are too raw, Junia, do not try to ignore the hurt. Wait. Time will prove our Savior can be trusted with pain. Perhaps there are reasons why God has brought us all here now. He knows the future, while we stumble along trying to understand.”
    She was quiet, just holding him. The wind came up and blew dust and brush along the rocky slope by the river. Though words failed them, their quiet embrace spoke volumes.
    â€œDo you want me to talk to Katie?” he asked after a long while.
    â€œNot yet, Clyde. She is asleep. But perhaps this afternoon, or even tomorrow morning. I wonder if Sir Julien will come here?”
    â€œI’m sure he will. We need to pray about all this before he arrives. We need God’s intervention.”
    Junia looked again toward the hut. Oh yes, they needed that. And His mercy. For without that, Junia feared she would not be able to endure what was coming.

    Katie opened her eyes. Her mind and heart churned, and she looked around her. It must be early afternoon. Evy was still asleep in her arms. She held her little girl, running her palm along the baby’s back. From outside she heard voices. Someone, most likely Dr. Varley,