Evident’s Empty Nest
He sets on high those who are lowly, and
those who mourn are lifted to safety.
(Job 5:11) (NKJV)

Love is magical in the beginning, I do believe! It seems tangible, as though you could reach out and touch it. I’m not sure I can explain it, but I do know that with Christ, everyday changes are made like magic. Falling in love with Christ wasn’t very difficult for me. He had blessed me with a wonderful friend, husband and lover for twenty years. Seventeen of those years my intimate relationship with my heavenly Father, developed also.
Evident is my given name.
This is the excitement my birth brought to my parents— looking up to God for a child. God answered their prayers after they tried and prayed for thirteen years to have a child. My father was forty-seven and my mother was forty-six when I finally arrived. This birth was evident that God answered their prayers!
My mother died bringing me into this world, still looking up to Jesus. Growing up without a mother wasn’t easy. My father was a very strong man with strong convictions and a tender heart. Without a wife and mother together with God we survived.
As a hobby and a way to express my feelings of not having a mother in my life, I began keeping a journal at the early age of fifteen. It has helped me to look over my life and re-evaluate some things that may need to change. Writing a journal has also been a way for me to tell God and myself what I think and feel. My journal is like a little prayer book from me to God as I go through life’s challenges and celebrate life’s triumphs.
I am now a widow with one daughter. My beloved husband went home six years ago, leaving me to be the Godly strong woman and mother he knew I had become. Our only child received a full scholarship to Howard University - a very long way from home. I had become extremely protective because she was only sixteen and about to leave the nest. The death of my husband had a strong effect on her decision to attend Howard University. It was his alma mater.
As an active member of my church, I felt my life was fulfilled. I chose to work in the Outreach ministry. I wanted to help those who were in need of food, clothing, or shelter. My social calendar was full as well. I was involved with my sorority and club sisters. I was even seeking a Doctorate Degree from Nova University in Psychology. Both my husband and I had received our Bachelors and Masters Degrees from HBCUs (Historical Black Colleges). Over the years we were able to have a well rounded group of associates. Money was not a great concern for me as we were financially secure and used wisdom to be good stewards over all that God had blessed us with.
Two of my close friends and I opened Touched by an Angel Spa & Clothing Boutique. Our vision was to give women of different challenges a chance to go back into the workforce saved, spirit filled, confident and beautiful. The services our customers received included full body massages, facials, manicures, pedicures, facial makeovers, a complete hair and clothing color analysis, as well as body shaping analysis for correct fit for clothing. We prepared them to take on a new start. One of my partners was a clothing buyer and skillfully purchased clothes with quality and taste. The other partner was an established celebrity hairstylist and makeup artist. I was also gifted in dress apparel and color coordination. But my greater skills were to actually tap into the emotional side of new Sisters So Saved and counsel them to get the mess out and in the open and allow God to use them for His purpose. Afterwards the beauty regiments would be set in motion. This balanced our Outreach ministry.
It was during a very cold winter when a seasoned sister was browsing the boutique with a young man. She was assisting him in the purchase of a gift for Secretary’s Day. Affectionately, he described his secretary as loyal, bright and giving. I admire a man that gives detailed information about a woman. He knew her sizes and her favorite colors. He expressed that he wanted to see her style updated from conventional to contemporary wear. She had been his father’s secretary for eighteen years and was in her early fifties. He described her as fit and fabulous!
In my mind I’m assuming this is a May-December relationship. Young man older woman and I wasn’t quite prepared etiquettly. I remember asking him directly, “Is there a particular contemporary style you envision for your secretary?”
He looked at me and for a moment I thought he had forgotten what it was he wanted. Quickly gathering his thoughts, he stated that he wanted a lace-type dress that outlined her petite size. I searched the rack and pulled out a beautiful size six antique white dress with a neckline to die for. He and his assistant conferred over the dress and decided it was perfect.
I gift wrapped the beautiful dress and watched the young gentleman and his assistant walk away satisfied. Two days later he was back in the boutique asking for paisley printed scarves. We didn’t have exactly what he wanted but I assured him we could order some and have them in the boutique within two days. He asked for a business card and I gladly gave it to him, assuming he would send more customers. Two weeks later, I received a beautiful bouquet of flowers from him with a card thanking me for my help with the purchase of the dress. I smiled, because he was handsome and the gesture was nice. Uninvitingly, my feelings were quietly awakened, so quietly I hardly noticed.
I was grocery shopping the following Sunday after church and was purchasing a bottle of Pinot Grigio wine. Yes Sistahs, a bottle of wine. From behind, a deep voice said, “You shouldn’t drink wine on Sundays.”
I turned around and smiled at the handsome face I recognized from my shop. “It’s my communion,” I said jokingly.
“Where are the crackers?” he asked.
“At home,” I said and smiled.
He asked how I had been and we chatted while waiting in line. When we parted ways, I felt a strange feeling coming over me.
Weeks passed and I was standing in line at the airport. I had planned a trip to Atlanta to visit my girlfriend for a weekend of rest, relaxation and release! The airport was a mess as usual since the 911 tragedies. I patiently waited my turn to be checked through the gate.
“I see you like to travel on the weekends too, huh?” That familiar voice felt like velvet on the back of my neck.
There he was, dressed in an L.A. Lakers jersey and sweat pants and laptop bag on his shoulder.
“Hey,” he said smiling.
“Hey, yourself,” I stammered.
“Looks, as if we’re both headed to Atlanta. Where are you staying?”
“With a good friend,” I replied.
“Well, I’d love to take you to dinner and a great jazz club I know.”
I looked at that sexy young man. I knew I was at least ten years older than him. Even a “Real Sistah So Saved” like me could be tempted by such an invitation. I really hadn’t thought about love, lust, relationship or even a man for that matter, but I tell you, a woman could go crazy over that physique. I said a quick prayer and responded with a strength I didn’t entirely feel.
“I’d love to have dinner with you,” I said carefully, “because my flesh is weak, I’ll have to pass.” He took a breath as if to speak, but I continued.
“I truly appreciate the flattery of a young brother like you, but I’m going to let this conversation move on and thank you for giving me the attention that a woman of my caliber enjoyed for a moment. For the long haul, I’ll settle for God’s love and conversation until that someone he has chosen for me comes my way.”
“How do you know I am not the chosen one,” he asked, appearing only a little shaken by my response.
“There would be no doubts.”
Final answer.