Free A Baby for Christmas (Love at The Crossroads) by Pat Simmons Page A

begin to believe good is evil and evil acts are “okay” or good. Wrap your mind around God’s Word. That is your helmet...”
    Too soon, he opened the floor up for questions. Checking the time, Solae hadn’t realized forty-five minutes had sped by so quickly. Her pastor was a man of God who could break down the Word of God. No doubt when she relocated to Chicago, he would be another wonderful memory she would miss.
    She had sought God’s direction on the move, but the Lord had been silent. Solae took that to mean proceed with caution. Life was about advancing to the next level. It was time. She had no husband or children to keep her there. Her parents were alive and well. Candace and Lindsay were in good hands. Hershel…he would go down in her history book as the first man she truly loved and the only one to break her heart. She had bounced back after the other two losers’ rejections. However, Solae didn’t see a Hershel-recovery in sight.
    As Pastor Reed made the call for salvation, two repenting souls walked to the altar. After the ministers prayed for them, both requested the baptism in Jesus’ name. Another twenty minutes later, the offering was taken and the benediction given.
    Usually after the class, Desiree would be upbeat and would talk Solae into grabbing a sandwich or something before going home.
    “Are you going to be okay?” Solae asked her friend who appeared to be distracted while purposely ignoring her estranged husband. Solae glanced in Michael’s direction. He was standing rooted in his spot across the sanctuary as if he was waiting for Desiree’s signal that it was okay to approach her.
    Lord, is marriage really worth all this hurt? Seeing this ugly side of it, Solae was beginning to see the blessedness of singlehood.
    Marriage is honorable in ALL ! God’s voice seemed to come swiftly out of nowhere, stating Hebrews 13:4.
    Although Solae trembled, she asked for understanding. But God, her marriage bed was defiled .
    Whoremongers and adulterers, I will judge, God’s voice began to fade.
    Desiree shrugged and exhaled. “As long as the prayers of the saints continue,” then she shook her head, “I can’t look at him without imagining…I can’t talk to him right now without thinking about… I just can’t do it. It hurts too bad.”
    “It’s going to be okay. God knows and He cares.” Solae wrapped an arm over Desiree’s shoulder and steered her out the church to the parking lot, all the while praying, Lord, please don’t let Michael make a scene; let him respect her time of healing in Jesus’ name. Amen.
    Solae waited as Desiree got in her car and started the ignition. She still looked frazzled. “Call me when you get home and let me know you made it.”
    “I will. Love you, my friend.” Desiree slowly backed out of her parking space, then drove away.
    “Love you, too,” Solae mouthed as a tear fell from her eye. Crossing the aisle, she waved at a few church members, then got into her car. She locked her doors and put her key into the ignition, but didn’t start the motor as the tears flowed. She sat and cried for her friend, wondering if Desiree and Michael would ever have a happy ending. Then she recalled a portion of Psalm 37:25: “ I have been young, and now am old; yet have I not seen the righteous forsaken, nor his seed begging for bread.”
    “Lord, for Desiree’s sake and mine, I’m holding you to that.” The confidence Solae had in God made her smile. Starting her car, she backed up and drove home, seemingly without a care in the world.

Chapter 10  
     
    I know you are going to be at Lindsay’s birthday party. Can we talk ? Hershel texted Solae a few days later after digesting and accepting the news Royce and Trent had delivered. Since then, Hershel had done some serious soul searching.
    He acknowledged that a well-respected fire captain who was fearless when it came to rescuing others in a life-or-death situation couldn’t get out of the scorching flames of