Finding a Heart of Peace

*** Based on Christian Morals--Christian Romance ***

Clare Snyder's husband died three years ago, leaving her with six boys, ages seven and under. The four youngest are quadruplets. When the new assistant pastor, Drew Young, tells her to get her husband to discipline her children, she knows she's not welcome at the church. He finds out about her situation and tries to help her, but helping someone get past their grief to live again is harder to do than either of them had expected. Finding a heart of peace can only be accomplished by realizing God's in control and life doesn't have to be lived in the past.

Excerpt

Five of Clare Snyder's six sons took off after the church service, running with lollipops in their mouths.

"No!" she yelled. "Someone will get hurt! Stop!"

The rest of the congregation stared, not even offering to help when her children were in danger. The place was crowded, too, because of all the people visiting for the Sunday after Thanksgiving, or the advent season.

With her fingers still wrapped around her youngest son's hand, she dodged the rest of the people in the aisle. One of her quadruplets, Kirk, approached Pastor Frank Oldfield and a good-looking younger man. They shook the hands of the line of parishioners with a smile, making small talk. They stood right past the end of the church aisles, at the entrance between the sanctuary and the vestibule—or lobby—that led to the outer door.

When the younger man held out his hand with a smile, Kirk pulled the lime lollipop out of his mouth and slapped it right onto the man's palm. "I have to give my offering." The child ran away into the huge vestibule with a laugh, horrifying Clare.

Pastor Frank laughed, but the younger man stared down at his hand, covered with a wet green gooey lollipop.

"Remember they're all lambs of God," Pastor Frank said loudly enough for everyone to hear. People laughed around them, but Clare was so embarrassed.

The younger man appeared to be stunned as Clare approached him, with her youngest son, Travis, still beside her. "I'm so sorry," she said. "Let me help you." She fished a tissue out of her purse, hoping it was clean. "My son…" She bit her lips in embarrassment and dug the lollipop off the good-looking man's hand, the stickiness leaving a slimy green residue on his palm. "I'm just so sorry." She shoved the offensive treat into her purse.

"Bye, Mom," Brent said from behind her. At almost six years old, he seemed too grown up for his own good.

"He's yours, too?" The young man pointed at Brent. "How many kids do you have? They all look just like you with your blonde hair and blue eyes. They're mini-clones."

What a judging slam against her. She didn't want to give him more of an opportunity, so she'd make this brief. "I'm sorry Kirk gave you his lollipop. I'll have him come back and apologize. He knows better than that."

The man, with slightly curly dark brown hair and very blue eyes, clenched his jaw while his lips formed a thin angry line. "Where's his father? You'd think he'd tell him that's not right and round up your kids for you."

Clare didn't know what to say. "He's not here." She lowered her head. "I'm really sorry. We'll just go." Where would she go to church now? There weren't many churches in the small town of Oakville, Kansas, and these kids needed direction in life.

"Stay here." The young man glanced toward Pastor Frank. "I'll be back."

Pastor Frank chuckled. "Wash your hand with soap."

"I will. Eventually." He walked off and Clare stood still, watching him disappear into the crowds of people in the vestibule.

"I'm so sorry," she said to Pastor Frank. The man was balding, with gray hair, glasses, and brown eyes. "We won't be back to cause you any more embarrassment."

"Embarrassment?" He smiled and took her hand. "Don't you worry. Pastor Young will be fine. He needs to learn how to handle the entire flock, from the oldest to the youngest."

"Pastor?" She turned her head and searched for the man, but the crowd blocked her view as people caught up on gossip. She couldn't remember the last time she'd been able to talk to adults alone.

"Yes." Pastor Frank interrupted her thoughts. "We're thinking of hiring him as the new assistant pastor so I can retire."

Clare felt her eyebrows lift as she turned her attention toward him. "Retire?" It really was time to find a new church. Maybe she could travel the whole way to Topeka to church.

"Yes. It's time." He nodded toward the vestibule. "He'd be a good one to teach your kids a few things."

He said it as if she wasn't doing her job already, making her bristle. She hated being judged.