They are still joking around when a car pulls up.  As soon as LaQueia sees it, she stops abruptly.  Her demeanor changes, making both Teri and Ginny stop and pay more attention to the guy coming toward them.  Immediately Ginny recognizes him, and like any good mother, she steps in front of LaQueia and asks him what he wants.  “C’mon Ginny, you know that we need to talk.  LaQueia you can’t keep avoiding me.  At least let me see the kids.  You know that I don’t want things to be this way.  I’ve been trying to call you….I tried to tell you that I’ve joined the Reserves so I will be leaving the state soon.  I’ll be back but I don’t want to leave like this.

 “I am just so angry with you!” LaQueia’s lips begins to quiver uncontrollably as she rubs her very pregnant tummy.  “The thing is I know that God is going to take care of you in the end and time will tell, but what you have done has devastated everyone!  Your decisions have ruined this family. Not just you, me, the girls, these unborn babies, your parents, my parents, friends or just the people that look up to us”  LaQueia looks him in his eyes and whispers, “but a family, our family—your family—the family that you created.”  Unstopped tears roll down both of LaQueia’s cheeks simultaneously.  I will do everything to make sure these children become the people that God has called them to be despite all that you have done to financially, emotionally, spiritually and psychologically kill us.  The key word is despite.  These beautiful little babies will be someone” LaQueia emphasizes the next few words, “despite of you, not because of you!”  LaQueia steps closer to him so that she can look him in his eyes as she continues.

“You’re not a solider of war, you’re a prisoner of your own captivities.”  LaQueia shakes her head and lifts it up, as she pushes back the tears that are still slipping down her face, then she whispers slowly “I love you, so much and I have to pretend that I don’t.  If I show that I care for my own husband, I look like a fool to everyone.  I am not allowed to speak of you and I am pregnant with your child.  So for you to tell me, that you wish this wasn’t so, is absolutely unbearable, because it is all in your hands.”  LaQueia backs up as she puts his face into memory.  “You remember, that those hands that you use to do whatever you are doing, are the hands of the father of our children.  And instead of those hands helping, or holding your little girls, they are doing whatever you are doing with those other little girls who are slightly older than your own.”  LaQueia turns away so that her streaming tears will not show anymore.  Hesitating a little, she finally walks back into the church. 

Unsure of what to say, he just stands there.  Venomously Ginny scolds him and walks away to console LaQueia.  Teri does not know what to do.  This whole scene reminds her of her own situation with her husband.  Teri did not know how she would respond if she had seen her husband.  Teri has not filed for divorce yet, so if he came here demanding it, it would really hurt her feelings. 

Teri decided to wait until all of this was done, then she would go down the actual divorce paperwork process.  Knowing that he could file and she can be served divorce papers at any time stays in the back of her mind.  If that happened here at the church, Teri is not sure how she would respond.  It broke her heart to see LaQueia so hurt, the Lord only knows how Teri would have responded.  Teri guards the front door, staying out there watching his reactions, as he goes back to his car and drives off.  Seeing that he is not apologetic or even sad for the pain that he caused LaQueia, he only wanted to smooth things over, makes Teri feel ill.  After he is completely gone, Teri goes back inside. 

LaQueia and Ginny are up front talking to Sister Kelly.  LaQueia is still furious.  “How much nerve can one man have?  Why would he come to the church?  He is acting like he has tried so hard to get in touch with me and the girls.  He has called no more than three times since this whole thing has happened four months ago.  I didn’t pick up and he never left any messages.  If he cared, he could have tried better than that.  He has not spoken to the children or me and he has only made pathetic attempts and then he shows up at my place of refuge.  He knows how I feel about church.  He has never even gone with me, but he thinks it’s okay to come here now.  I hate him Sister Kelly!  I really hate him.  I’ve tried to be good, but I hate every fiber of his being!

Sister Kelly finally cuts her off.  “LaQueia go take a seat in the front.”  LaQueia and Ginny both do as Sister Kelly requests.  Teri follows and sits next to them.  Sister Kelly stands up and looks around the room.  Everyone was watching and listening to LaQueia’s outrage and furious talk.  Sister Kelly addresses the room but stands next to LaQueia putting her hand softly on LaQueia’s shoulder.  “This is not going to be a male bashing session.  No one said your situations are easy to bear.  Of course all of those that oppose you want to make your situations unthinkable.  You can not let your guard down, because they are always around waiting to pounce on the smallest crack, desiring to destroy you. 

LaQueia, I say this to you, because I know that you are upset and you feel that you are just venting, but remember always your words are powerful. Every moment your words are creating.  Creations do not pick and choose when you’re happy, mad or even joking to create.  You are creating every moment!  Say only what you mean.  If you say something you really do not want, you are cursing yourself.  You are creating something you do not want to see manifested.  Then you will be upset when it does comes to life.  So guard your words carefully every second of every day.

 I am not going to sugar coat anything, because you are not really hearing me anyway.”  Sister Kelly begins to speak to everyone else.  “When you’re upset or bent toward something, you can only hear selectively.  You only hear every other word or keywords.  When you allow yourself to be pulled away from God, you can not totally hear things.  That is why no matter how much family, friends and loved ones want to help they are not able to intervene for people properly.  Like people with addictions, they can hear every word from the addiction and selective words from everyone else.  The person who needs help can not really hear anything. 

They have what I call ‘selective hearing’ only certain words are really comprehended.  The person might hear and regurgitate the words that are spoken but only keywords are comprehended.  Things are so twisted around that even the clearest meanings are changed around.  This makes it hard for loved ones; when they finally understand that no matter what they say they are not able to stop the person they love.  Anyone that is in this situation, remember, if the person loved you before they allowed themselves to be engrossed and consumed with their path of destruction, then that person or persons still does.  Never doubt their love, just know that they are destructively twisted and can only hear selectively.  They do not really understand and no matter how you say it, it still will not be able to get through to them. 

But you do have a solution!  Although at times it may feel unbearable, remember you have a tool and technique that will combat their selective hearing and destructive behavior it is called prayer.  They may not be able to hear you, but God can get through to them and will help them and you.  The only way to get through to them is through consistent and constant prayer—not frustration, arguing, demanding, compliments or anger.  You can get though to them through God in prayer.  God hears you the first time, but it usually will make you feel better the more times you pray. 

Although it might not seem like anything is happening at times, remember God is working on the real problem so that the change can really come.  Therefore never give up on the person you love.  Allow them to be loved by God through you in prayer.  Even if it has gotten so bad that you can no longer interact, you can still stay close through sincere prayer.”  Sister Kelly looks back at LaQueia, gently touching her face, then putting her hands back on her shoulder and looks back at everyone again.

“Let someone hurt us, betray us or even inconvenience us in any way.  We will pray for fire and brimstone to avenge us!  We can’t even let a person cut us off.  Oh my God, how we want to get them back.  Too many people always want to get others back.  Most people just walk around with attitudes for the wrong they feel.  Lashing out and being counter productive to those who are in need.  And some the self righteous pity those that harm them, believing God is going to get the person back for their sake.  And if by chance someone does do something nice, well then sound the trumpets and toot your own horn.  People live like there is no God.  Just because we feel that people are getting away with things does not mean that what we see is all that there is. My God!   

A husband cheats on his wife and they get a divorce.  He gets with someone else and they live happily ever after, while the wife struggles to survive with the kids.  This is what we see, but that is not the total picture.  And it’s also not just about him getting it when he dies by going to hell.  There are built in laws in this world that we tend to overlook.  He will not only pay for what he has done in death, but also in this life.  He has not just wronged you and his kids but future generations.  Believe me God does not take things like this lightly.  God is not pleased at all.  But you can not concentrate on these things, because nothing good will come from it for you.”  Sister Kelly turns her full attention back to LaQueia.

“Now that I have said that, I understand that you are upset, you feel betrayed, hurt and lasciviousness is taking over.  But you have to keep control!  You must have controlled anger.  It’s not a sin to be angry, but you have to be extremely careful!  You have to always keep your control.  You must decide how you will respond to things and you need to always be aware of your actions and reactions because both have built in consequences. 

Now let’s get down to the core of the matter.  You want comfort.  You already know that your husband is in Gods hands and he will be judged accordingly--in this life and next, but right now there is no comfort in that.  You already know that you are in Gods hands and he will carry you through, and by the way your acting, there is no comfort in that.  I can go on and on….”   Sister Kelly gives LaQueia an understanding frown.  “but basically there is no comfort in that.  Well then Beloved, you will need to decide what will provide you the comfort you are seeking.  Knowing that comfort can be a snare to trap you.  So now what I want you to do is spend some time alone with God.”  LaQueia sadly shakes her head and walks out of the room. 

Everyone looks around like children who has just witnessed another child being disciplined.  Sister Kelly looks around the room and everyone quickly returns back to their studies.  Sister Kelly sits back down next to Sister Burney, and continues to talk.  After fifteen minutes she leaves the room to go after LaQueia.  LaQueia is in the front of the sanctuary, sitting on the floor.  Tears are still flowing as she talks with God.  Sister Kelly sits down on the front row and prays for LaQueia.  Silent, they stayed in there for close to twenty minutes before Sister Kelly finally speaks.