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takes, don’t give up. God doesn’t make empty promises. He doesn’t play with our emotions. If He said it, it shall come to pass.”
    When, God? How long, God?
    â€œHis Word is for an appointed time. Some of us move out of God’s time, then become frustrated when our plan doesn’t work. We then want God to quickly deliver us, when in the beginning, all we had to do was believe the words He told us and trust Him to bring them to pass in His time.”
    Staci bowed her head and cried softly. She’d known she’d married Derrick too soon. Derrick was a loving and caring man, but he was controlled by his insecurities. There wasn’t anything she could do about it now other than suffer patiently and pray constantly.
    Before service was over, Pastor Reggie sent word by an usher that he wanted to speak with her after service in his office. She prolonged the discussion she knew would be centered on Derrick’s absenteeism by chatting with fellow church members and her family. Sister Jones, the head of the education department, was trying to convince her to chair the annual scholarship banquet when the pastor and first lady beckoned for her.
    â€œI’m sorry, Sister Jones, but I have to go.” Staci walked away so fast she nearly tripped over her feet. She wanted to chair the scholarship banquet about as much as she wanted to walk barefoot on a bed of nails. Chairing the event meant hours of solicitation and dealing with church members who were gifted to complain about everything.
    â€œHi, Auntie.” Staci hugged the first lady, Julia Simone-Pennington. Julia was her father’s sister and Lashay’s mother and also the owner of the development that housed MS Computers. Pastor Reggie invited her to have a seat, then sat behind his desk. Julia stood beside him.
    â€œStaci, how are you?” Pastor Reggie began.
    â€œI’m okay.”
    â€œHow’s Derrick? I haven’t seen him in a while, and he’s not returning my calls.”
    Staci shifted in her seat. There wasn’t any need for her to put up a front, not to them. They would see right through it.
    â€œUncle, Derrick and I are having a hard time right now. He doesn’t communicate that much with me, so I don’t know what’s really bothering him. He spends most of his time at the office, even on the weekends. Today, he’s out golfing.”
    Pastor Reggie leaned back and laced his fingers together. “I’ll be honest with you, Staci; I am worried about him. He’s been on my mind all week, and I was hoping to see him today. I’ll give him another call. I’ll even get on his dental appointment schedule, if I have to.”
    â€œThanks, but I don’t think it’ll help,” Staci said solemnly.
    â€œStaci, you haven’t given up on him, have you?” Pastor Julia asked.
    Staci took a moment to ponder her aunt’s question. She hadn’t given up, but she didn’t know how much more she could stand. She was tired of being in a marriage by herself.
    â€œNo, Auntie, I haven’t, but it’s getting difficult. Being married to Derrick is not what I expected.”
    â€œNeither is life, but you can’t give up,” Pastor Julia pressed. “You’ve only been married a year.”
    â€œI know, but it feels like forever.” Staci’s eyes watered. “I guess because I’m always alone. It’s like he only comes home because he has to.”
    Julia walked around and stood at her side and took her hand. “Staci, do you believe Derrick is your ordained husband?”
    â€œYes, I know he is.” That was the sad and honest truth. Derrick was her soul mate.
    â€œThen don’t give up. Fight for what’s yours. You’re a Simone and a child of God. The fight is in you.”
    â€œWhat about him? Why do I have to do all the fighting? He’s supposed to be the head of the house.” Staci accepted the