Running Home: The Power Of His Might
1943
“Still think we have time to go through the whole story?” Gordon asked, his eyes casting an anxious glance at Pastor Perry. It seemed like the two had been talking for hours. The minutes of the day continued to creep by, as the service time grew closer. Pastor Perry was the most patient man he knew.
“We got a whole hour, son” he replied, wearing a reassuring smile. “No reason to rush. I’m enjoyin’ this.” Pastor Perry was a good listener. Gordon chuckled, tapping his foot on the snow-covered ground. He wanted to continue the story. He had to, for his momma. His family was something special.
“What else you wanna know?” Gordon asked Pastor Perry, who had heard so much in the forty-five minutes they’d known each other.
“Whatever else you know. What happened next with your Momma and Dad?” Pastor Perry offered, with his full attention on Gordon. The winter day hadn’t fazed them. The wind and snow had stopped for a while. Gordon readjusted himself on the little wooden bench. He wasn’t sure how to continue such a tale.
“After I was born, a lot changed.” Gordon laughed with a sigh, as he remembered how much his Momma had talked about the family struggle. “The family tried to stay on the farm for a little while. They only knew the peace and quiet.” Pastor Perry leaned back, relaxing his arms at once. “But somethin’ tells me it didn’t stay that way.” Gordon stared into space, his thoughts wandering as a whirlwind of memories began to resurface. The emotion behind her. The power of His might that made her the hero she had become in His world. “No, it didn’t. In the blink of an eye, everything was different.”
The beloved farm became unfamiliar territory in the five years that passed. World War II had thrown the nation for a loop. The family’s faith weathered storms daily. Food rations and less farm workers all due to the war made times difficult. Keeping a smile was hard, but Momma and Dad both tried to for the sake of us kids. Momma had become so much stronger. She always said that change was a good thing.
“Sometimes you’re better for your struggle,” she’d say with a smile.
Mavarine and I didn’t have what some kids had, but we never complained.
Work on the farm was dwindling as the war continued. Plants that manufactured aircrafts and bombs opened a work opportunity for Dad. The commute to the city of Charleston wasn’t that awful and it was a steady income that helped us survive as a family. Momma was never bored. She had settled into marriage and motherhood duties with ease. She was always the best. Someone we all knew we could count on. Nothing could prepare us for what would happen next.
‘I’m okay, Melda,” said Dad, a defensive tone ringing through his voice.
“You’re so tired, and your lungs sound terrible,” said Momma, who looked exhausted herself. “You know what happened to my Daddy.” She took his hand as a tear fell down her cheek.
“Yeah, but it’ll be fine.” Momma was great at giving Dad “the look” when she wanted him to do something.
“At least let’s get you checked out. To be safe.”
Dad sighed, knowing he had suffered defeat. “Okay. Promise you won’t worry anymore?”
Melda let out a quiet chuckle. “You know I can’t promise you nothin’ like that.”
Momma had reason to worry on some level. A bunch of the workers became affected by the TNT exposure at the plant, but Dad was fine. He knew it,or so he thought.
“He’ll need a round of penicillin,” observed Dr. Barrett. “He should be okay in a few months. But, I would take it easy until then.”
A few minutes passed before the doctor gave Momma a reassuring smile and turned to leave. Momma felt the familiar sense of panic start to wash over her. Sweaty palms and a heaviness in the chest soon came to pay a visit. Remembering her father’s death was never an easy thing for Momma. The very thought made her sick to her stomach, and caused the strength in her knees to weaken. Momma kept a straight face for her family, but inside she was a mess. To make matters worse, how would they make it as a family?
What are we gonna do? She thought as her mind began to race.
“I can’t “take it easy!” argued Dad, once the doctor was well out of earshot. “Ya’ll depend on me!” Dad’s face grew paler in color with each syllable that he spoke. “I’ve never not worked. This is nonsense. I’m lettin’ my family down.” Frustration rang through his words. He’d never lived as the weak one.
“Frank, I don’t know why you’re actin’ like this. I know you’re worried, but we can’t do nothin’ about it, but wait.” Momma’s tone was stern. “We got to stay strong for the little ones.” Momma took a deep breath, before she continued talking. “I can’t believe you’d wanna give up that easy.”
Dad hated the words “give up.” The thought of being perceived as a quitter made his blood boil.
“You get out of here with that nonsense. You know I ain’t no quitter. I never dreamed of this, and neither did you.” Dad’s voice was booming with anger. “You talkin’ about bein’ strong when we know you panic about every little thing.”
Momma let out a tiny gasp, her jaw slightly ajar.
“You don’t know what it’s like growing up as a strong boy and havin’ your whole world turned upside down. You got no clue!” He slammed his fist onto the dining room table.
Mamma’s face had become white as a ghost. She couldn’t believe the words that poured from Dad’s mouth.
“I do know what it’s like, but I need some air. I think we both need to settle down.” Momma’s voice lowered. She stood silent for a few seconds and turned to leave for a stroll in the city. That was her calming place. She told me she knew Dad was reacting out of frustration. She knew he just needed time to himself. Momma and Dad hardly ever fought. They would be okay. The Lord would make a way.
Momma loved all the shops in the city. It had so much to offer. The owners and workers were friendly. Most were family owned businesses. The sounds of the cars and the bustling of people milling around gave her a sense of joy. Her dream was to move to the city one day. She loved the farm, but there was something so captivating about the different scenery. As she was walking down the street, she noticed the quaint dress shop at the corner had a “Help Wanted” sign in the front window. It’s worth a shot. She waltzed into the door without hesitation.
“I see you have a “Help Wanted” sign up.” Momma was confident.
“Okay, any experience with sewing? We have a need for that position to be filled.”
Momma smiled big. “Of course, I’ve sewn all my life. I make my own clothes.”
The owner looked surprised. “Really? We haven’t been able to find anyone like that. We’ve had that sign up for weeks.” Momma nodded her head. “Well, then you’re hired. Welcome to Hillman’s. When can you start?”
Momma made her way home after a couple of hours. She was excited to tell Dad about the new adventure. They would have to move to the city, but that’s alright. Dad and Momma both worked in the city. She thought it made sense to move. This would be a great new beginning. Frank would go back to work after he recovered, and in the meantime, Momma’s job plus the family’s help would get them through this rough patch. God always had a perfect plan. She soon found herself waking through the front door. Frank was still sitting at the dining room table. Momma walked into the kitchen and stood to face him.
After a few moments of silence, Momma spoke up. Her voice rang loud and clear. She remembered how her mother commanded the room after the death of her father. She somehow felt that same strength beginning to course through her veins just then.
“Honey, you’re not lettin’ no one down. These things happen.” Momma took Dad’s hands as she spoke. She motioned for Mavarine & I who were listening to the radio in the living room. “Come on over here, kids.” Momma was awesome at handling situations. You’d never know she was once a soft spoken, scared soul. “We’ll make do.” She began. “Times ain’t good right now, but we’ll get through” Momma turned to us with a serious face. “If we can’t afford it, we don’t buy it.” She smiled at us a tiny bit before turning her attention back to Dad. “I got a job at Hillman’s dress shop. Our family can watch the kids. Ya know, make sure they do their schoolin’. She enveloped Dad in a hug. “It’ll be alright Frank”.
He looked at Momma with a confused look on his face.
“You got a job?”
Momma let out an excited squeal. “Yes! And we’re moving to the city! This will be great!” she replied.
“You did this for us?” Dad said with a tearful sigh. Relief washed over him. A sudden pause in his words made Momma nervous. “Wait we’re moving to the city too?!” He loved Momma. She did the craziest things sometimes. “I don’t know what we’re going to do with you sweetheart!” He let out a laugh, enveloping her in another hug.
He felt so out of character. Dad was still thankful for his adventure partner.
Excitement ran through the house as the next few weeks passed. Dad packed all of the few things we had. Momma was glad to be getting that change of scenery. She knew it would be good for the family. They would be able to afford more. Momma always wanted to work in a dress shop. The kids had started making their Christmas lists. Gordon wanted a train set. Mavarine begged for a Molly doll.
“It’s all happenin’ so fast. Adventures are somethin’ with you.” Dad playfully patted Momma on the back. “I’m proud of you.” He planted a soft kiss on her lips. Their little family had plenty to look forward to. Life would change. It would be an adventurous kind of stepping into the unknown. All they could do was step out in faith and trust in the power of His might.
“Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.” (Ephesians 6:10, King James Version)
