The second week in December, Ray sat at his desk reviewing prayer requests—everything including family squabbles, illnesses, chemical dependency, financial problems, and work-related issues. One stood out—written in elegant script by someone who understood good penmanship. It concerned a family matter. Ray held the letter in his hands and began reading.
Dear Rev. Ray,
My name is Ruth Perkins, and I have watched your wonderful program, The Road to Calvary, since it went on the air. I have seen the many miracles you’ve performed, and, while it is difficult for me to ask, I request your assistance in a family matter.
My daughter, Emma, and her husband, Jack, have had a troubled marriage for some time and are considering divorce. Quite frankly, they married far too young with a baby on the way, which put their union under stress from the start. Both were in college at the time, and my son-in-law finished his degree and works as an engineer in the medical field. Emma wasn’t so lucky. It’s not that Jack held her back, but another baby convinced her she should stay home raising the girls.
As the years have gone by and the girls have grown, Emma’s bitterness regarding her lack of education and career opportunities has steadily increased. It’s not as if Jack hasn’t encouraged her to complete her schooling and find work that interests her—that she finds “fulfilling” is how the young people phrase it.
I want to see them attempt marriage counseling again, but Emma has a stubborn streak which often turns to anger. Reverend, I can’t bear to see my granddaughters suffer because their parents divorce or see my family torn apart. Is there anyone you could suggest to help mend this situation without my coming across as meddling? I would especially appreciate your prayers.
God bless you and your fine work.
Sincerely,
Mrs. Ruth Perkins
Ray propped his elbows on his desk, re-reading the letter. Mrs. Perkins was clearly worried her family was collapsing, and he understood her fear of being perceived as nosy. These domestic situations were never just about the couple but the entire family, and he wondered if Mrs. Perkins’s daughter might be more receptive to family counseling than marriage counseling.
He positioned the letter next to the computer, contemplating the blank screen. While he admired Mrs. Perkins’s penmanship, Ray would never be able to answer all the incoming prayer requests personally if he used that approach.
Dear Mrs. Perkins,
Thank you for your letter. It is always a pleasure to hear from our viewers, especially those who have been with us from the beginning.
You mentioned your daughter, Emma, being a bit stubborn when approached regarding further counseling, and I can certainly understand your frustration at what you may perceive as her unwillingness to continue. Some people view having to get counseling as failure, and nothing could be further from the truth. It takes courage to try and fix something that is broken. It takes courage to accept that you need support, and perhaps that’s where Emma’s hesitancy is coming from.
With that in mind, I am enclosing information regarding Dr. Jane Moore, whose family counseling work is in the St. Louis area. Dr. Moore’s therapy focuses on helping the entire family anticipate triggers that are cause for disharmony. I can’t guarantee success or even that Emma will agree to it. Perhaps, she would be more open to family counseling than therapy focusing on their marriage.
I would also recommend that a person besides you (Emma’s husband, Jack, for example) be the one to suggest the family meet with Dr. Moore. This approach should also help concentrate counseling on the entire family.
I will keep your family in my prayers, and please write me again on your family’s progress.
In the love of Jesus Christ,
Rev. Ray Williams
The printer hummed, and he retrieved the page for his signature. He made a notation he’d responded to Ruth Perkins on this date. He was glad she had trusted in him and very much hoped she’d stay in touch.
DECEMBER 9, 2002 ST. CHARLES, MISSOURI RUTH PERKINS’S HOME
Ruth’s mail came every morning by 11:15; and she liked to complete her daily walk by then so she might greet the postal carrier, Mr. Wilson (nicknamed “Fuzz”), who’d had this route since Emma was a child. At precisely 11:10, the front bell rang.
“Good morning, Fuzz,” Ruth said. “Any mail of interest today, besides bills?”
“Morning, Ruth.” Fuzz handed her a stack of catalogues, flyers, and envelopes. “No bills at all, which makes it an extra good day,” he said. “There’s a letter from a Reverend Williams that looks to be interesting.”
Ruth shuffled the mail to bring the reverend’s letter to the top. “Only a mail carrier with your experience would recognize this as very important.” Not bothering with a letter opener, she tore the envelope by the corner, unfolded the letter, and gave it a cursory look.
“Good news, I hope,” Fuzz said.
“Wonderful. I consulted the reverend for advice on Emma and Jack’s marital difficulties, and he’s provided a therapist for them to contact for family counseling. It’s a small step, but one I think worth taking. If Emma has her way, the marriage will wither and die. Jack, on the other hand, has expressed interest in seeing another marriage counselor.”
“I’ll say a prayer for them at Mass.”
Ruth Perkins was beaming, full of newfound energy. “I’m much obliged, Fuzz. I’ll take all the prayers I can get.”
Ruth phoned Jack at his office and asked him to stop by on his way home. The doorbell chimed at five thirty, and she opened it to find her son-in-law looking quite dapper in a camel overcoat.
“My, but you cut a sharp figure,” she said. “Let me take your coat.”
“Thanks, Mom,” Jack said, giving her a peck on the cheek.
Guiding Jack into her cozy living room, Ruth settled into a Queen Anne chair. “I won’t keep you long. I know Emma likes dinner at six o’clock, but I want to run something by you.”
Clad in a suit and tie, Jack took a seat on the couch across from her. “Nothing’s wrong, I hope?”
“Not quite.” Ruth cleared her throat, gathering up her courage. “I hope you won’t think me a meddling mother-in-law, but since you and I have had numerous conversations about you and Emma going to marriage counseling again, I contacted someone who provided the name of a therapist who does family counseling.”
Jack moved to the edge of the sofa cushion. “That’s great. Is it a referral?”
“Yes. Please don’t tell Emma, but I got it from Reverend Ray, the preacher on television she absolutely hates.” Ruth reached for the therapist’s card and handed it to Jack. “This is a therapist specializing in family counseling.” Jack listened as Ruth explained what Rev. Ray had suggested. When she finished reading him the letter, Ruth said, “I think part of Emma’s pigheadedness comes from my suggesting she do something. She didn’t care for the therapist you were working with, so that gave her an excuse to stop going. If you suggest making another attempt, I think she’d be more apt to listen.”
Jack brushed the card against the open palm of his hand. “I think you’re right. I like the idea of the entire family involved in counseling. Our issues go deeper than our marriage. I’ll coordinate schedules and make the appointment. It’s a start at least.”