“I'm not answering that phone,”  Brenda exclaimed,  “because Sadie probably needs help again!”

     Sadie was trying to reach her  friend, Brenda, who had diligently prayed for her.  She wanted to let Brenda know that their prayers had been answered.

    Where can Brenda be?  she wondered.  Phone messages had been left, and Sadie knew that Brenda would be ecstatic upon hearing the news.  The time had come to celebrate because the accusations and painful separation had ended.  Sadie Mae and Ted had reconciled.

    Ted clearly understood the intensity of his wife’s dilemma. Quite conspicuously, in the sweltering heat, she wore a coat.  And although she continued preparing extravagant meals, all dinner invitations had ceased. Uncomfortable with her newly-formed curves, Sadie Mae was in hiding. 

     The moment Ted got home from work, Sadie  announced the good news.  “Honey, I’ve lost seven whole pounds!”   Delighted with the fascinating report, Ted gave his wife a huge congratulatory hug and headed for the garage to work on the car. 

     An old rusty toolbox was protruding from beneath a pile of rags? Ted wondered what could possibly be inside. 

     The toolbox was locked, so Ted grasped the massive key ring that hung on a nearby hook.  It contained keys of all colors, shapes, and sizes.  After trying every possible key, he discovered that none of them fit the lock.  As his curiosity grew, he grabbed the closest hammer and gave the lock one hard blow; with this, the hammer head fell off, but the lock remained intact.  This was obviously a costly lock for it would not budge the least bit.  So, he grabbed the bolt cutter from the bench, and with one firm snap the lock fell to the ground, broken. 

    Ted popped open the toolbox, but no tools were inside.  Instead, it only contained a brown paper bag.  As he peeked inside the bag, to his amazement, there was a tremendous assortment of delectable chocolate bars.  “Sadie Mae must have abandoned this stuff,” he concluded.   Not wanting to tempt his wife with these findings, he stuffed the chocolates into a shopping bag and returned the toolbox to its hiding place; then he gave the candy to the neighborhood children playing outside.

    That evening, Sadie  waited for her husband to fall asleep.  The patio light gave her a clear view of her husband’s face which she watched closely.  The moment his lower lip began to quiver releasing a minuscule stream of drool, she would take action.  So, she crept out of bed, grabbed key and flashlight, and headed for the garage.  The time had come for Sadie Mae to retrieve her evening snack. 

     Grinning lavishly, she rushed through the dark apartment and on toward the adjoining garage.   She had waited all day for this moment to arrive! Once in the garage, she would unreservedly use her flashlight to complete the task.

     Aiming the light toward the heap of rags, she thought—Something strange has happened—that yellow rag should be on top of the heap! 

    She then realized that the tool box was now placed at a different angle than before; it now faced the north wall rather than the easterly door. 

   Surely, someone has been here! she thought.  Confused, she lifted the toolbox and immediately made the horrific discovery—the lock was gone, and toolbox was empty!  Infuriated, Sadie Mae had only one suspect—Ted! 

     Enraged, Sadie  stormed into the bedroom—but stopped short.  How could she even discuss this matter with Ted when she had just told him about her great weight loss?  Ted was now awake and sensed that something was wrong. 

    “Sweetie, you alright?”  he inquired.

     “Uh—Sure!” she shouted as she rushed from the bedroom unsure just how to deal with the matter.  She needed to phone Brenda for advice. So, she grabbed her coat, slipped into her sandals, and headed for the patio.  

         When Sadie  returned, Ted was out of bed and sitting in the living room.  His folded hands rested on his lap, and the twiddling of his thumbs indicated that this night might last forever.  Sadie was familiar with his solemn expression and knew that things were not good.  But she had only done what she thought best. Besides, Brenda was easy to talk to—unlike Ted. 

    “We need to talk!”  he began. 

    “About what?”

    “Whenever there is a problem, you phone someone else.  You don’t trust me.”

    “Problem?  Is there a problem?!”

    Ted had contemplated getting marriage counseling because of the toll the weight issue had taken on their marriage.  But, knew that she would oppose such a suggestion.  So, instead, he replied, “We could talk to a minister.” 

     "No way!” ended the conversation.  Shortly afterward, Ted left their home.

      With Ted gone, no longer did Sadie  feel the need to hide the chocolates that she enjoyed, and they soon became the centerpiece on her table.  The pretense of dieting was now behind her.  But she missed Ted tremendously and often felt depressed.  At such times, Sadie relied on Brenda for encouragement.  Sometimes, the two of them prayed, but eventually Brenda became exhausted and began refusing calls from Sadie.  The constant requests had taken a heavy toll on their friendship. 

      Sadie had done a great deal of worrying about her marriage and needed someone to talk to.  Unfortunately, her best friend was still avoiding her, so she decided to turn on her television set and watch a movie.  A woman was singing a song, and hundreds of teary-eyed people were waving their hands in the air. Then, before the song was over, there was a commercial break.

     When the program resumed, a woman talked about a conference.  The participants would learn about Proverbs 31.  Then, he read the words to Proverbs 31 aloud.  Sadie  listened attentively to the beginning verses and was surprised to know that people in the Bible gave advice.  Excited, she began searching for the Bible her grandma gave her because she wanted to read the words herself.  After wiping the thick layer of dust from the cover, she fumbled through the pages until she found the Book of Proverbs.

     Sadie read through the life-changing words with amazement.  So this is God’s perception of beauty, she thought!  And it has nothing to do with size.  Then, she skimmed down the page a bit, and when she got to verse 18, she could no longer sit still.  So, she jumped up and down shouting, “Thank You, Lord!” 

     Sadie Mae read on about an extremely successful woman and  was very impressed!

     Verse 26 (NIV) explained that the woman speaks with wisdom, and faithful instruction is on her tongue.  Sadie was extremely interested in becoming wiser, so she read this verse several times. But when she got to the next verse, she could no longer contain herself for it said, "Many people do noble things, but you surpass them all (NIV)."  With this, Sadie  burst into tears of joy!  The burden she had been carrying had been lifted because she believed that the Lord would enable her to be like the woman in the Scriptures. 

    She decided attend the women’s conference and learn how to live differently.  But first, no matter how difficult it might be, she would talk to Ted; Sadie would value her husband’s words just as he had always taken hers to heart.  She was eager to tell Brenda about her change of heart!  So, she dialed the phone, and it rang several times.  Many messages had already been left, but she went ahead and left one more.  Unfortunately, her friend did not respond.

     Soon, Ted and Sadie Mae met with the pastor of the neighborhood church. Their counseling sessions began and the two renewed their marriage vows.  Because of his wife’s determination to please God, Ted picked up his cell phone and dialed.  This time, Brenda immediately answered the phone.

     “Hello!”  

     “Hi, Brenda!”

     “Sadie and I want to invite you and Dave over for dinner! We’ve got  some great news!”

      “Oh thank you, Ted, we’d be delighted to come!”

       Finally, Sadie  and Ted were able to share the good news of their reconciliation.  Sadie  now wonders how she could have ever refused the help that her husband suggested months ago.  She is grateful that Brenda continued to pray that the Lord would touch her heart because that is exactly what happened!

Written by Gloria Ayot-Cross, Ph.D.

NIV--New International Version of the Bible

   Copyright© 2008 Gloria Ayot-Cross.  All rights reserved.