Chapter Ten

Ten

Grace Cottage

“Ollie, I'm going for a much needed jog,” Sandy said over her shoulder as she walked out the door of the Cottage. “I'll be back in an hour or so.” She stepped off the porch, looked across the yard and determined the direction to take. This was her inaugural run on Paine Harbor, and she was anticipating it greatly. “It's been way too long,” she thought. “I really need this.” Bending over and stretching her calf muscles she couldn't help but wonder what the next year of her life was going to be like. 

The local doctor had confirmed what the home pregnancy test had revealed and was suggesting her due date would be in late August or early September. She wasn't frightened by her pregnancy and there was no obvious evidence of it now, but she knew her flat stomach wouldn't remain this way for long.  The baby was growing and developing within her and beginning its inexorable process towards birth. 

She turned to the left, heading north as she began running. It wasn't long before she felt what she called 'runner's rush' as her body responded positively to the exercise. “I could do this all day,” she thought to herself. Looking across the bay she saw the fishing boats coming back into harbor after their long night at sea in search of the illusive schools of fish. “I'm so glad Oliver has a job which doesn't put him in danger,” she thought gratefully as she pounded the pavement. With that thought, she almost unknowingly began to pray. “God, thank you for my husband. He is such a wonderful man. He loves me, and he cares for me and even when I'm unreasonable, he is tender towards me. I know he'll be a great dad. Thank you.” 

For the next several miles, Sandy didn't think of anything in particular, instead she was taking in the beautiful views and sites of her new home. No matter where she turned, beauty abounded. “This is so different than SoCal, I can't believe we are really here. And I can't believe I'm going to have a baby so far away from nearly everyone I know,” she mused. 

It was then that worry joined her in her run. Doubts began to creep in about her ability to care for a baby and about whether she had what it took to be a good mother. She found herself praying again, “Lord, I know Oliver will be a great dad, but I don't know about me. I'm afraid. What if I don't know what to do? What if the baby is sick? How will I take care a baby all by myself? My girlfriends are three thousand miles away and I know they'd help me, but...” 

She began to cry. For the first time since receiving the news of Oliver's transfer, Sandy allowed herself to feel the loss of what she’d previously known and was comfortable in and she grieved. Her sorrows came as a shock. Wave after wave of realization followed by questions and uncertainty. Here she was at least five miles from home and her face was covered with tears, her chest was heaving in sorrow and she was completely alone. “I'm so afraid, God.” she muttered. “I'm so afraid.” 

Sandy found a bench overlooking a particularly beautiful promontory and decided to sit to regain her composure. In spite of her grief, she was stunned by the beauty around her and the incredible power of the surf upon the shore. As the minutes passed by, Sandy found herself praying aloud. “Do you hear me, God?” she prayed aloud. “Do I matter to you, in the midst of all this amazing beauty, do my feelings matter?”

“Of course you matter to Him,” came a voice from out of nowhere. 

Sandy looked up and saw a young woman approaching her. 

Sandy stood up in fear. “Where did you come from?” she demanded. Her heart was beating rapidly, partly because of her run, but also partly in shock to this stranger’s sudden appearance. “I was all alone, and then...” 

“I know. I didn't mean to spook you,” the woman said with a smile. “I'm Andi. I’m guessing you are one of the newcomers to Paine Harbor; it’s Sandy, right? 

“Yes, Sandy Grace,” she replied coming to realize just how small a town Paine Harbor was.

“I'm a friend of your brother in law, Demetrius and I'd like to be yours, too.”

“He's told us about you.” Sandy replied. “But how did you get here? Where did you come from?”

“I was running, just like you.” Andi responded. “Don't be afraid, sorry I spooked you”

Those kind words soothed Sandy's anxious heart and she felt peace come over her. All of the anxiety about the suddenness of Andi’s appearance was gone and Sandy strangely felt an unexpected and welcomed gladness come over her. 

“I’m sorry to eavesdrop, but I did hear the last part of your prayer. Sandy,” Andi continued as if this kind of thing was a common occurrence.  “God really loves you. You are one of his special ones.” 

“It's Andi, right?” Sandy asked and Andi nodded. “Andi, who are you?” 

Andi laughed but not the kind of laugh that makes the other feel stupid, but the type of laugh which reassures and brings joy in the moment.  “Demetrius asked me the exact question too!” Looking directly into Sandy's green eyes, Grace continued. “I’m one of God’s favored kids, just like you! But I’m also fairly new to Paine Harbor, too.”

Sandy took a sigh of relief.

 “Listen, Sandy, please don’t take offense, but it looks like you could use a friend. And I know I need one,” Andi said softly. “It’s hard living in a place where no one knows you.”

“That’s the truth!” Sandy agreed.

“I’d imagine it’s hard for you, being pregnant and all.” Andi suggested.

“Wait a minute!” Sandy interrupted, “No one knows I'm pregnant! Other than Oliver, the doctor and me.  Who told you?” 

“Sandy,” she said with sobriety. “I sensed it within my spirit as soon as I walked up. No one told me. It’s hard to explain, but I just know.”

“Seriously?”

“Yeah. It happens fairly often. I receive it as a gift from God so I can love people better. In fact, the Lord has a message about your pregnancy I want to share with you and Oliver. But before I do that, I need to tell you something.” 

Sandy's eyes were wide in anticipation and just at that moment a large flock of pelicans flew over in perfect V formation, gliding effortlessly on the winds. Both women looked up in awe at the incredible perfection of the formation and the genuine beauty of these giant sea birds. They watched until the birds were just dots in the distant sky. When the moment passed, Andi spoke up, “Sandy, it’s not an accident you are in Paine Harbor and it isn't an accident you've gotten pregnant now. God is going to reveal so much to you in this season. You are going to experience and see things you've never imagined and God wants you to trust him regardless of how circumstances may appear. Do you believe what I am saying to you?”

“I do. Oddly enough, I do. Somewhere deep inside of me, I've known He was the one who was moving us, and then, when I found out about the baby, I wasn't surprised, even though Oliver and I were not really trying to get pregnant. It just seemed to make sense in some strange way. But Andi, I need to know, you told me God wants me to trust him in spite of circumstance, is something bad going to happen?” Sandy asked honestly. “Is something bad going to happen to my baby?” 

Her heart was filled again with fear. Usually when you have to learn to trust God, she thought to herself, it was because something really horrible was about to happen. “I can't lose this baby, Andi!”

“Oh honey,” Andi said as compassion welled up within her. Putting her arm around Sandy she continued, “He just wants you to trust him, in good times and in bad. For in trusting, He is able to do wondrous things in and around you. He's not punishing you, and He has no intention of harming your baby. He loves you. He loves Oliver and He most certainly loves your children! Relax.” 

Sandy took a deep sigh of relief.

“In C.S. Lewis book ‘The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe,’ the Christ character Aslan is described this way:  “Who said anything about safe? ‘Course he isn’t safe. But he’s good. He’s the King, I tell you.” Trust sees the goodness of God. Trust says even when I'm not feeling safe, I know He is good, so I must be safe and this is what He is calling you to believe. Believe He is good, regardless.”

Sandy looked at Andi for quite some time in silence, considering the weight of her words and the implications for her life. A chord resonated deep within her helping her to know she was hearing truth with a capital ‘T’. Her spirit leapt in recognition. “Yes. I believe,” she replied. 

Just then a loud clap of thunder shook the island. Both women were stunned by its power. 

“Sandy, you live in the old Glanville place, right?” Andi said not waiting for a reply, “Do you have any coffee at home? How about before we get drenched we run together back to the cottage and you, Oliver and I get to know each other better?” 

Sandy responded positively to the idea and the new friends took off running just as the skies opened up with a sudden torrential downpour of rain. “We'd better run quick or we just might drown!” Sandy yelled over the sound of the storm to Andi.

Worried sick something bad had occurred, Oliver stood on the porch with binoculars glued to his face desperately looking up and down the roads that approached the Cottage in search of his beloved. Suddenly through the fog and rain, he saw two women running towards him. “What the heck?” he wondered. “Who's that?” At the same time, floods of relief flowed through him in recognition of Sandy's bright green hat. He ran into the house and grabbed several dry towels. When he returned to the porch, he was surprised to hear the women laughing outrageously as they approached the house. “Well, if she's laughing,” he thought, “everything must be okay.”

“Hi honey!” Sandy said light-heartedly, “This is Andi. Andi, this is my hubby Oliver. He's the only smart one who knows how to stay out of the rain! Oliver, will you make a fresh pot of coffee? Andi, you can shower in there. I'll use the master bath. I've got some clothes you can wear, even though I'm a bit larger than you; but they'll be warm and dry!”

In a short while, Andi came into the kitchen, drying her hair with a towel. She smiled at Oliver as he was finishing up the coffee, “Hi, Oliver, we didn’t have a proper introduction a few minutes ago,” she said with a laugh while extending her hand in greeting. “I'm Andi. Your wife and I met up running and she invited me back for coffee. She tells me you two appreciate a good cup, as do I.” 

“Yes, we do. It's nice to meet you Andi. Are you the Andi my brother Demetrius has told me so much about?” 

“Yes, that’s me,” she smiled longingly looking at the pot on the counter. “Speaking of great coffee?”

“Oh, I'm sorry, how do you take your coffee Andi?” Oliver asked. 

“Just like you do, black and strong,” she replied. 

Just then, Sandy walked into the room in her robe and with a towel wrapped around her head. “Aren't we a sight for sore eyes!” she said to Andi. “Are you pouring?” she asked Oliver. 

“At your service, my dear. So, how is it you two met up?” he asked while pouring three cups of steaming hot coffee into his favorite mugs emblazoned with the logo from the USC School of Cinematic Arts. This only mildly irritated his forever UCLA Bruin alumni wife. 

“Well, Sandy said, “I'd stopped to take a break on some gorgeous promontory overlooking the Atlantic when suddenly...”  

“Suddenly,” Andi interrupted, “I showed up. We got to talking, and it started to rain, so I invited myself over for coffee... and I'm guessing you can fill in the blanks from there.” The two women burst into laughter as if they'd been friends for life.

A few minutes later, while sipping their coffee and eating some cookies Sandy had found in the pantry, the conversation took a more serious turn. “Oliver and Sandy, there is something on my heart I want to share with you. Would that be okay with you?” Andi asked. When they nodded their approval, she continued. “God wants you to know He has brought you to Paine Harbor for a purpose. It isn't an accident and He has amazing purposes for your lives, individually, as a couple, and now as a family alongside Demetrius. I've been sharing this with Demetrius, and now I'd like to do the same with you.” Oliver's questioning eyes met Sandy's across the coffee table. 

“It's okay, Ollie, I trust her. She's the real deal.” Sandy said in reassurance. 

“Go on, Andi, I want to hear what you have to say,” he encouraged.

“God is going to use you to alleviate some of the pain which is found in Paine Harbor. Have you noticed just how many people here are bound up in pain, anger, grief and suffering? God is going to use you to help them become free. You are going to change the culture of Paine Harbor,” she stated confidently. 

Oliver replied. “I knew it.” 

“What? What did you know?” Sandy urged. “I don't understand.”

“I guess I never told you, I'm sorry honey.” Oliver explained. “Immediately after the studio told me they were sending us here, I went into my office, and even before I called you, I asked God why this was happening. You know I didn't want to leave California, right? But deep inside of me, I felt Him say “I'm going to use you in Paine Harbor” and now here Andi is confirming what I knew all along but what I was afraid to say. It's hard to talk about hearing God's voice, people will think you are nuts.”

Sandy stepped across the living room and sat next to her husband. Taking his hand in hers, she said, “I have a confession to make. He told me the same thing too. You remember how resistant I was to coming here, right?” He nodded in recognition. “Well, the next day when you went to work, I was in the shower and I asked God the same question you did: 'Why?' And I felt Him say the same thing He said to you. “I'm going to use you in Paine Harbor.” 

Oliver's eyes filled with tears in appreciation for her honesty and with understanding this was indeed a holy moment they must cherish. He reached out and caressed his wife's face in appreciation.

After awhile, Andi spoke up. “Oliver and Sandy, you and Demetrius are here to bring grace to this island. The people here are all too familiar with rules and law and personal failure. Your task is to bring grace. Even your last name is prophetic of what He wants to use you to do! It’s God’s kindness, His mercy, His forgiveness, and His favor the people of Paine Harbor are desperately in need of!” Sandy held Oliver's hand in a vise-like grip and they both shook in wonder at the mystery of what was occurring. 

“Yes,” Oliver replied as Sandy nodded in agreement. “But how?”

Ignoring that question, she continued, “The Lord says, ‘As a sign of My favor in your life, I give you a sign. You will give birth not to a single child but to triplets and they will be healthy, strong and gifted. The people of Paine Harbor will be amazed at their vitality. One will have a gift for creativity and will express beauty through the arts in a manner which will shake those who come in contact with it. The second will have a mind whichsees through complexity and finds solutions where no one else has been able. And the third will possess an ability to look into the deep places of a person heart and bring them into a place of genuine freedom.’ All of this is to the glory of God.”

A stunned and holy silence fell over the Grace Cottage. Unable to speak, Oliver and Sandy quietly worshipped at the magnitude of what had been spoken into their lives. They knew they had received a prophetic word which would change their lives, and it would be something they would treasure all of the days of their lives. The rain continued to pour down onto the metal roof of the Cottage, and the afternoon turned into early evening, yet no one stirred. It wasn't a time for action it was a time for stillness and reflection.

Andi stood up, and gave Oliver and Sandy gentle kisses upon their cheeks. “It’s great meeting you. Thanks for the coffee!” And with that she left.