Page 40 of A Baxter Family Christmas
She called up Jeremiah 29:11 on her phone’s Bible app.For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord. Plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.Maddie exhaled and again the peace of God surrounded her.
His plans might not be clear yet. But one day they would be. And she would never again reject happiness because of guilt over Hayley. Instead she would believe God’s best for both of them. Because God was real. She knew that now.
As real as Christmas itself.
The Flanigan family dinner took longer than usual. Bailey was not even three months pregnant, and still not feeling well. Which meant that Connor and his brothers took over much of the preparation and all of the cleaning.
Connor didn’t mind.
Working in the kitchen took his thoughts off Maddie West. She had wanted to talk after the show the other night, but Connor had been busy ever since. Maybe after Christmas. Or maybe he wasn’t as ready to talk with her now, anyway. If she could change so quickly, maybe Maddie West simply wasn’t the girl for him.
Connor wasn’t sure. He still thought about her all the time, but he was hesitant now. Either way, the day had been fun. Both sets of grandparents had joined them for Christmas Eve service and then prime rib dinner at the Flanigan house. Around the table they played the question game—one of Connor’s favorites. Bailey’s question had been the best.
If you could ask God one question, what would it be?
Some of his brothers’ answers were funny—as always. Shawn said he’d ask God why the giraffe has such a long neck, and Justin would ask why animals had tails. But a few of them had really profound questions they would ask God. BJ said he’d ask God why he and Justin and Shawn had the chance to be adopted into the Flanigan family when so many millions of kids never had that kind of opportunity.
Bailey said she’d ask God when exactly He had first dreamed up Brandon Paul for her. Which made everyone around the table smile.
Connor said he would ask God why they couldn’t each have a window to their future. “So we would know for sure that everything works out. That we would find the right girl and have the right job. All those important details.”
His question had been personal—especially in light of Maddie. Of course, he knew why God didn’t allow such a thing. With the Lord, the journey was the destination. Every morning, every night, every step in between was a walk of faith. Otherwise there would be no need for a relationship with Jesus.
The dishes were just about finished, and already their grandparents had gone home for the night. Connor’s mom came up beside him and grabbed a fresh towel. “I’ll help dry. The Baxters are expecting us.”
“We haven’t been there in a while.” Connor remembered visiting the Baxter family every year or so. Often his family had joined them for their annual Fourth of July picnic at Lake Monroe. But not for a few years.
“We haven’t gotten together since the accident, the one that took Erin and Sam Hogan and three of their daughters.”
Connor remembered the accident, and how the whole town of Bloomington had grieved the loss of the family. A truck driver had fallen asleep and rear-ended them. There were five white crosses at the side of the interstate where the accident happened. Connor drove by them each time he left town on his way back to Liberty University.
“Did they just not want a lot of friends over since then?” Connor washed the last casserole dish and handed it to his mother.
“I think it worked both ways. We wanted to give them space, a chance to be together as a family. Time to heal.” She took the clean dish from Connor and dried it. “This Christmas they asked us to come for dessert and Pictionary. It takes time to be able to laugh again.”
“I get that.” Connor thought for a minute. “They have a bunch of kids, right?”
“Lots.” His mom smiled. “They’re not always all there. But I got a text from Ashley half an hour ago. Everyone’s there tonight.”
“That’ll be fun.” Connor dried his hands on the towel.
Connor’s dad walked into the kitchen. “The boys and I got the trash out. Everyone ready?”
A smile lifted Connor’s heart. He loved being home. Loved the everydayness of the Flanigan family together, how they helped each other. And tonight both families would make for a celebration they’d all remember.
Connor had no doubt.
CHAPTER FIFTEEN
They were about to serve dessert, and Kendra had only one disappointment. The night was flying by too fast. She was in the kitchen whipping a batch of fresh cream when she caught a glimpse of Amy in the next room, talking to Ashley.
The two had their heads together, as Amy showed off the photo of her mother in the locket. Kendra smiled to herself. The gift had been the perfect way to find a connection with the child. Holding her for those few seconds had awakened a longing in Kendra that hadn’t been there since the surgery.
A longing for a child of her own.
Moe was still at the dining room table talking with John and Elaine, and now in the kitchen, some of the Baxter sisters were slicing pie and making coffee. Kendra felt more alive just being here, as if the presence of this family and their faith were air to her lungs.
Ashley came up and handed her a crystal bowl. “For the cream.” She smiled. “Whenever you’re done.”
