Page 92 of Wish You Faith

“Is there anything you need to tell me to clear the air?” Rosie leaned back at one end of the sofa.

“Yes.”

“Then tell me. No need to sugarcoat anything. I can handle it.”

Evan rested his head on her lap, stretching his legs to the other end of the sofa.

He told her all about his pressing problems working at Cavanaugh Shipping and his broken relationship with a tiger mom, who was supported by a passive dad.

He told her about his desire to be with her every day for the rest of his life.

Rosie simply listened quietly, stroking his hair and holding his hand. She heard every word and asked questions that made Evan think. Several times, they stopped to pray for God’s wisdom and direction for Evan’s career.

And then he told her about the deal with Mom.

“Ephesians 6:2 says that we still need to honor our parents,” Rosie replied. “It doesn’t specify that this honor is reserved for Christian parents. Even unsaved parents have to be honored. If you have gripes against them, take it to God. He can handle your parents better than you can. Just step out of the way when He gives them their due. As for you, if you want God to bless you, you can’t have this dark cloud hanging over your head.”

Evan knew that from his past Bible studies and from what Connor had reminded him, but to hear it again from another source—someone he trusted implicitly—made an impact.

“I’m sorry that I was out of line,” Rosie said. “I don’t know what you went through in your family. My own mom is the best in the world, and she never does me harm or hurt, but this is just our family. Without going through what you have, I have no right to tell you to honor your Mom in spite of everything.”

“Don’t get me wrong. My mom is non-violent. It’s just that she irritates me and we can’t agree on anything at all. I can’t believe Dad allowed her to get her way all these years.” He chuckled. “Dad just wants to keep the peace in the family.”

“Your mom sounds like my dad when he was alive,” Rosie said. “He always got his way. If we went out to eat, it had to be where he wanted to go. Every single time. You know what’s ironic?”

“What?” Evan wondered what life had been like in the Hamilton household.

“After Dad died, Mom and I went to the same restaurant that Dad had taken us to. To this day, I still miss his stubbornness and self-serving attitude. I remind myself that God loves us with all our personal imperfections, so why are we casting stones and measuring specks in another person’s eyes? You know what I mean?”

“It’s the everyday things, isn’t it?” Evan sighed. “You were right to remind me of what the Bible says. I haven’t turned over my parents to God. I’ve been trying to manage them myself.”

“He is God and we are not.” Rosie added that it was a reminder to herself too.

“For real.” Evan swiped his phone to find the book of Ephesians on his Bible app. “While Ephesians 6:2 is my call to action, Ephesians 6:3 is the promise if I honor my parents.”

“Honor your father and mother,” which is the first commandment with promise: “that it may be well with you and you may live long on the earth.”

“I want us to be well and live long.” Rosie held Evan’s hand over his chest.

Still resting on Rosie’s lap, Evan closed his eyes and prayed for God to forgive him for not showing Mom respect and sometimes even hating her for making life hard for him growing up and in the family business.

When he opened his eyes, he felt that a heavy burden had lifted off his chest. He felt free. His animosity toward Mom—who wasn’t even here in front of him tonight—ebbed away. All he felt was compassion for her and pity for Dad.

Rosie used her sleeve to wipe a tiny tear that fell from the corner of Evan’s eye.

“It’s going to be okay.” She smiled.

“I just made peace with God and Mom in prayer.”

“I knew you were praying.”

“You did?”

“I pray silently a lot. I could tell you were battling it in a power prayer.” She patted his chest. “Merry Christmas, sweetheart.”

“Merry…” Evan quickly checked his watch.

12:01 a.m.

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