The Greatest of These (Sequel to Kansas Summer) -- Faith

October 30, 2003

--Colin

I rise early at 6:00.  The sun hasn't shown itself yet.  Rubbing the sleep out of my eyes, I swing my legs out from under the covers and set them down softly on the cold carpet.  I shiver and stand myself upright, making the entire frame creak and causing my love to stir.  It is not my intention to wake her, so on my way to the shower, I plant a kiss on her forehead.

"I'm sorry for disturbing you, my love," I whisper.  A smile flutters across her lips.

"I've been awake," she sweetly tells me, opening her eyes and stretching.  "I'll go make breakfast."

"Thanks, Jen," I reply sincerely.  I know that she knows that I mean it.

By the time I am out of the shower and dressed in cold weather clothes, Jenna has a magnificent breakfast laid out for us: scrambled eggs, bacon, cornbread in the oven, and hot water boiling on the stove for hot chocolate and oatmeal.  I can't help but stand and admire her, dorky baby blue bathrobe, pink slippers, and all.

"Has anyone ever told you that you are the most amazing woman I have ever known?" I say.  She turns around from flipping bacon with a grin on her face.

"You."  I chuckle and walk up behind her, and begin to massage her shoulders.  Jenna rolls in time to my hands, closes her eyes, and tries to enjoy my touch to the fullest.  After a moment, she shrugs me off.  "Bacon's done," she announces, taking the skillet off of the stove.

Jenna sets the popping bacon on the table, and we both take our seats.  "Dear Heavenly Father," I begin, eyes closed, hands folded, "I want to thank you for the wonderful blessings you have given us: this day, this home, each other, and most importantly, You, God.  Help us as we go through this day always remembering the sacrifices that You made for us, teaching us and revealing to us Your will.  Bless Jenna at home and me at work; keep us safe and return us to each other after we have finished what You would have us do today.  Also, God, I ask for wisdom in making the decision of whether or not to take the coaching job I was offered yesterday.  I pray that whatever happens, Your hand will have worked in it.  Again, thank you for being who You are and providing all that You give us.  We pray this in your name.  Amen."

"I was thinking," Jenna begins after setting some eggs and bacon on her plate, "that it could be possible for me to work the store while you go coach."

A frown slithers across my forehead.  I do not like the prospect of her working the store.  However, after a few seconds of contemplation, I agree to hear more.

"Before you leave, you could pick me up at home and then leave me at the store while you go to the high school.  Or better yet," she reconsiders, "I could drop you off at work in the morning, and then before you leave, I could drive over."

"Jen, I know how much you do at home.  Are you sure that you will be alright juggling that and the feed store?" I ask.

She should have been flustered by that remark, but my wife has the fruit of self-control like no one else.  

"I should be able to.  It's getting colder, so the plants have all stopped growing, and besides, I would love to see people.  I don't get to see people at home a lot of the time, so going out to the town would be comforting to me," she replies calmly.

I ponder her words carefully.  I know that there was no reason why Jenna was wrong, at least immediately.  It might work for the winter, but for the spring, it could be a different story.  So much would have to be done that it might be impossible for that arrangement to work.  I sip my hot chocolate thoughtfully, contemplating everything.  She speaks truth.  The words echo in my heart.  I look to my love and gaze upon her face that is full of compassion, determination, and selflessness.

"Alright," I tell her finally, "I think that is our answer."

"Hello, Mr. Schroeder?  Yes, this is Colin King.  I have an answer for you about the position you told me about.  I will coach this year.  When can I start?"