His Perfect Love

Chapter 17

September weather was still warm. It wouldn't get cooler until the end of the month. Riley was alone in the house. Clayton had gone to work as usual. Allison had gone off with Dave. Those two were getting along great and really enjoyed spending time with each other. Riley didn't know if they were in love yet. Maybe they had the stirrings of feelings just like Riley thought she had. Yes, she could admit, there were stirrings.

Something about the idea of Clayton and all that he was warmed her heart. He was kind when all she had known was cruelty. He had made her laugh when all she had known was sadness. She definitely felt something for him. But, Riley didn't know if that was entirely a good thing. She didn't know what would become of her feelings, like Clayton said, she was still married.

Even though she was new at being a Christian, she knew it was wrong to have feelings for another when she was married. She didn't know what to do about it. Riley tried praying, but she had received no answer. Allison told her that sometimes that happened. No matter how much people thought they needed or wanted something or how much they prayed about it, God would choose the appropriate time to respond, if He chose to respond at all. "God's timing is not our timing," Allison had said.

So, Riley struggled with patience. Allison had given Riley a Bible to read and found a verse that helped. Psalm 27:14 "Wait on the Lord: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the Lord." And it all went back to trust. In order to have patience, she had to trust in Him. And she did. She knew that everything that happened was a part of His plan. Everything would work out in the end.

She still had a lot to learn, but people were willing to teach her. Allison and her friends answered questions that Riley had for them. Dave talked to her as well, pointing out things she had never really thought about before. Like how Christians should behave, speak and even think. He said it was important to let God work through her life and to be open to let Him shape and change her.

Riley liked being a Christian. She liked the idea of believing in something greater than herself. Of having someone to fall back on, to trust, to have faith in. She didn't know the answers to everything, but one day she hoped she could help others the way that other people helped her.

Riley was mostly over her fear of being alone. She reminded herself daily that she didn't need to be afraid. She was such a different person from that girl who had come here. She was a woman in Christ now. In her aloneness, Riley decided to do household chores to help Allison out. She was about six months pregnant and felt a little off balance, but she still managed.

Sometimes—now more than ever—she felt the baby moving around in her womb. It kicked and rolled around. Right now, she felt it move. Riley smiled and moved a hand to the spot.

"Hi there, little one. Hang in there for just a little while longer, okay?"

Riley was also happy to say that she was more at terms with her situation. She felt hopeful for one of the first times in her life. She knew she and her baby were going to be okay. Even though things were awkward with Clayton, they were still friends. And Clayton told her that friends look out for each other, no matter what. She was so grateful for Allison and Clayton. She didn't know what she would have done without them. They were one of the best things that ever happened to her. Without them, she never would have accepted Jesus into her heart. That truly was the best thing that ever happened to her.

She just got done wiping down the kitchen when she heard a knock on the door. That's strange. Clayton would be home soon, but he wouldn't knock. Oh! I bet it's Becky or someone stopping by for a visit. Riley set down the rag and walked over to the door. She opened the door with a cheery smile on her face, but immediately began to shut it. A foot blocked the door from fully closing.