One Step Away

Emma Gold stood on her front porch, overlooking the yard. It had been a long, wearisome day, and her old bones were telling her to take a rest. She sank into the cedar swing her late husband had made and contemplated life as it appeared at the moment.

Her yard, once a glorious haven for wildlife, was sprouting weeds and tangled vines. Maple leaves lay thick on unmowed grass, and an abandoned birdhouse swung in disrepair from a broken branch.

If George was still here, everything would be ok. Now he's gone, and I don't know what to do anymore. I'm too tired to take care of this big old yard and cook and clean and everything I used to do. There's no point now… I'm all alone.

She rose and moved slowly indoors as raindrops began to patter on the metal roof. In years past her home always smelled like something wonderful, whether a pie in the oven, fresh laundry, cut flowers or a crackling fire in the fireplace. Even when she and George were left with an empty nest after their only daughter ran off to get married, Emma carried on, throwing herself into gardening and homemaking more than ever.

Now, however, the days dragged by and silence lingered heavily on the stale air within. She saw her phone languishing on the kitchen table and wondered when was the last time anyone called or texted.

I should probably put on some music. That might make me feel better. She reached for the radio and turned it to an oldies station. But the song reminded her of George, and she broke down in tears.

After turning the volume down almost to nothing, Emma sat in a rocking chair in the corner, losing herself in memories of happier times. Hunger lurked at the edges of her consciousness, but she ignored it. There was hardly anything left in the fridge anyway. It wasn't as though she didn't have enough money to get by; George had made sure she would be well taken care of. But what was the point?

I should give it all away and move out. Surely he wouldn't want me to be alone in a house that's too big for me. If Kayla were still here, it would be different. But I haven't heard from her in years. Where is she? We didn't have a chance to reconcile… it's all over now. I'll never see her again…

Vaguely she became aware the radio had somehow changed stations and was now playing Christian music. The volume rose by itself, and after the song about "one step away from coming home" was over, a young woman's voice came on, warm and bright.

"Kayla here, reminding you to think about your blessings and thank God for what He's given you. No matter what's been taken away, trust that He will always bring you something beautiful to fill the void."

Emma sat upright, staring electrified at the radio. Is that my daughter? She leaned in, trying to hear better, but a burst of static fuzzed over, the volume faded, and when it cleared up it was once again set to her oldies station.

What was that? It sounded like a message from heaven! Tears filled Emma's eyes again as she began to understand how selfish her attitude was. I'm still so blessed. I have a home paid off, I'm healthier than most people my age, my husband loved me dearly and I had a long and happy life with him. I have a beautiful garden and I've been letting it lie fallow…

There was so much to do! She felt overwhelmed by everything she had let slide. Lord, I don't know if I can handle it alone. I'm sorry I let grief make me stop doing what I love. It's my duty to take care of this home. Is there any way You can help me clean up the mess I've made?

The sweet voice of her own Kayla came to mind as memories arose of how much they'd enjoyed spending time together. One of her favorite things to do was bake pies with homegrown fruits. Mom, let's pick blueberries today! Even as a cranky teenager, she loved to help out… probably because she got to eat more home-cooked food that way, Emma reflected fondly.

Lord, will I ever see Kayla again? I need to know she's ok. You're watching over her, aren't You?

Emma went to bed that night with the resolve to try to at least get her yard cleaned up and presentable before winter. It would be so much easier and more fun with Kayla. But I'll do whatever I can.

***
The next morning, Emma woke up to heavy rain pounding on her roof and wind whistling through the eaves. There would be no yardwork in such weather, and besides, her back ached with a vague foreboding of decrepitude. It felt as though the heavenly message on her radio had only been a dream.

She made it downstairs and poured herself a styrofoam bowl of cold raisin bran. No reason to fuss with a big hot breakfast. I'll probably go back to sleep. Her phone, still lying on the table from yesterday, buzzed vigorously, rattling against an empty glass.

Emma almost couldn't remember her screen passcode. A text from an unfamiliar number floated on the home page.

Mom, is this your number? It's Kayla. I'm on my way home.

Her hands shook as she clutched the phone. Surely it's a mistake or a scam, one of those sophisticated things they're doing nowadays… She typed back,

Honey, I'm still here. I've been waiting for you.

When the knock came, Emma pulled the door open instantly, not stopping to brush the flour off her hands. Kayla stood on the porch, with a toddler girl in tow. Emma flung her arms around her daughter, feeling how much weight she'd lost in the past ten years.

"Kayla! Are you ok? What happened? Where's your husband? Where have you been? I'm so glad to see you again!"

She led her daughter and granddaughter inside, where the warm aroma of cinnamon and apples filled the air.

"I'm divorced now, Mom." Kayla sank into a dining chair and pushed the loose hair out of her drawn face. "It was terrible. I thought he was perfect, but he wasn't. He isolated me from everyone. I wanted to reach out to you so many times and apologize for eloping and losing touch…" she sniffled, wiping away tears.

"It's ok," Emma whispered, taking Kayla's hand and holding it in her own. "I always believed in you. You're safe now."

"Where's Dad?"

"He's gone…"

"Oh no… I'll never see Daddy again." Kayla broke down and sobbed in her mother's arms. Emma cried too, but she held strong.

"Honey, your father believed in you. We never held it against you to get married. It only hurt that we were afraid he was the wrong man, and we didn't know what happened to you."

"I can't forgive myself for abandoning you like that. And now it's too late."

"It's never too late. No matter what's been taken away, trust that the Lord will always bring you something beautiful in its place. We still have each other, and now I have a grandchild."

"I've been telling little Rosie all about her granny the whole trip. But I was so afraid you wouldn't be here. I asked God for a sign yesterday as I was driving. You know what happened? On the radio, there was a voice—it sounded like yours. She said "I'm Emma, here to remind you you're one step away from coming home." I think she was talking about the song that had just played. When I heard that, I knew I was heading in the right direction."

"We heard the voices of our guardian angels," Emma said. "The Lord put it on my heart last night how much I've abandoned my duties since your father died. There didn't seem to be a reason to go on anymore. Now I have two reasons."

Emma got up to check on the pie to divert an overflow of emotion.

"Wait Mom, let me help you with that." Kayla followed her to the oven. "You know baking pies is one of my favorite things to do."

Her world-weary eyes sparkled with a hint of the same spunky smile she'd always had. Emma couldn't say a word, but her heart spoke.

Thank you, God. I won't be alone anymore.

Words: 1452.
Written for "Share Your Faith" 
Prompt: angels.
Casting Crowns song ▼