Authors: Nancy Hopper
Gary grew into the position he’d been given, with grace and power. It didn’t take long before he was walking in a great deal more authority and clarity of discernment. He was amazing, and no one ever even thought about whether he was getting better, or not. He was strong, and fit; determined, and obviously, very happy.
They made many new friends, quickly. Everyone wanted to get to know them – to entertain the new pastor and his beautiful wife, in their homes. There were myriads of young, married couples in the church, that they got along famously with.
The fire within them was soon burning brighter than ever before, in the midst of so many kindred spirits. There were young singles and teens coming in droves, too. Gary had a strong rapport with the kids. He knew how to reach them; he was a natural.
Their daughter, Naomi was born in August. She was a beautiful, big eyed little doll, with a shock of strawberry blonde hair and petite features. Everyone doted on her. It almost seemed to Tasha that she had to fight for any time to be with her baby, there were so many ready to take care of the child’s every wish.
It was a time of incredible jubilation. They felt that they were reaping a harvest of love and fulfillment beyond their wildest dreams.
Gary was a great father, and quickly became very close to Naomi. Everything was wonderful – Gary’s job was going well, Tasha didn’t have to work, Naomi was beautiful and healthy.
They were renting a beautiful hacienda that overlooked the Pacific. It had a nice pool and hot tub, and even a sauna. It was set up perfectly for entertaining, which was good, as they were constantly doing that. Young ladies in the church were always at hand to clean, cook and help Tasha in every possible way.
Gary traveled some, once they were settled in, but Tasha stayed at home with the baby. He was becoming a popular speaker in churches everywhere; but neither of them enjoyed being apart.
When Naomi had had her first birthday and was walking, Gary dropped a bomb on Tasha.
“
How would you feel about going back to Juneau?” he asked over dinner one night.
Tasha looked at him as if she couldn’t have heard him correctly. “Juneau? Alaska?” she echoed in disbelief.
He looked at her pensively. “Yes. Alaska.”
She put her fork down and blinked for a minute or two. Why?” she asked incredulously.
Gary looked very solemn. “I feel it’s what the Lord would have me do.” he answered seriously. “The church here will keep us on salary while we build the church up there. Things are tough up there, they are failing a bit in spirit. The elders and the other pastors want us to do it. Would you be too disappointed?”
Tasha closed her mouth and thought about it. “No, I wouldn’t mind. If it’s what you think is right.”
“
It is.” he admitted quietly. “It’s time to take what we’ve received, up to them. And it will be different this time, Tash. No fishery patrol, no health food store. Just ministry.”
She smiled. “Sounds pretty good to me.” she said, feeling slightly bewildered. Still, she was excited at the prospect of seeing their small, tightly-knit Juneau family, again.
“
I think we may even be taking some reinforcements with us, from here. To help us build a stronger foundation up there. Prayer warriors, experienced evangelists, and support for the services. It is going to be a really enriching thing, I promise you. For all of us.”
So it was that their son was born in Juneau. He arrived on a January morning, along with a heavy snowfall. Gary had to deliver him, because the roads were covered in six foot drifts of snow. There was no one else around to help; everyone was at home, snowed in.
“
Lucas, this was a hell of a trick to play on your old man.” Gary chastised his little son softly, as he wrapped him in a soft, cotton blanket. “Good thing your mama doesn’t know how scared I was.” he confided.
Tasha smiled. Thank God, everything had gone all right.
They were living in a simple but comfortable log cabin that they’d both fallen in love with. It was close to Joe and Delanie’s, and much like it in structure and appeal. It had a small bath, but only two bedrooms, and heat from the fireplace. There was a side kitchen, and so they were really quite comfortable. Joe and Delanie now hosted their meetings at the lodge.
They still did a lot of entertaining in their home, but it was a simpler, cozier style of life. Fewer people at one time, more intimate relationships, and conversations. Life moved at a slower pace, but it was every bit as rich.
Gary had been right. The six couples who had moved to Juneau along with the Taylors, made a drastic difference in the group. There was an intensity and power in their small group services that astonished them. But they loved it, and pressed forward with unwavering dedication.
Tasha was a little slower recovering from Lucas’ birth than she had been from Naomi’s.
“
You’re getting older.” Gary warned with a grin.
“
So, what are you going to do, trade me in?” she grumbled.
“
Naw. Not until you get gray hair, anyway.” he teased.
It was great being with their old friends. After a couple of weeks, it was as if they’d never left. Joe and Delanie took great pains to spoil them rotten. This couple had grown immensely in their absence, and had been holding services in the banquet room of the lodge, which was working beautifully.
One night as they were sitting alone at home in front of the fire, Gary asked Tasha a very strange question. “Honey, have you ever thought about calling your father?” he asked quietly.
Tasha looked at him as if he’d grown two heads. “Are you serious?” she asked woodenly.
“
Yes, I am. Just curious.”
Tasha rolled her eyes. “Why would I want to do that?”
Gary shrugged. “Well, there is the issue of the children. Besides, it’s a wound that I think should be healed someday. If possible.”
“
I feel as if you’re going to be a key for your father’s healing, someday. I don’t have all the answers, but I can’t help feeling that it’s not over, yet. I think that you and he will need to reunite and mend fences, eventually. For your sake, yes – but even more, for his.”
Tasha sighed. “I don’t know, Gary. After he broke my nose ... ”
“
I know. You’re probably right.” he said, smiling gently. “But when it
is
time for a new day to dawn, you need to be aware, sweetheart. Don't miss it. Don't judge things by what happened in the past. Just pay attention, and be willing when the right time comes.” he suggested.
Gary came home one day, looking grim. Tasha’s smile faded as she looked up at him. Her welcome died on her lips. Something was very wrong.
She took his arm. “Gary, what is it?”
He sat down, and put a hand on her shoulder. “This time, honey, you’re the first to know.”
A cold knot thumped in her chest heavily, as she waited.
“
I’ve been to the doctor, Tash. I haven’t been feeling so good.”
Tasha picked her baby up and held him to her closely, fear coursing through every fiber of her being. It just couldn’t be true; not again! They couldn’t possibly go through another round, and survive. Could they?
Twice, he’d been spared! Twice, they’d gone to Hell and back. It just could not be true! She ran her hands through Lucas’ curly hair, absently.
Gary just looked at her. His even gaze calmed her fears and yet, a ball of dread remained in her gut. “We have to take it one day at a time, Tasha. I’m going to write this book, and I’m hoping that I’ll be given time to finish it. I don’t know. This time, it feels so different.
I feel
different. Like … like I'll have to go.”
“
Don’t say that, Gary! Just don’t say it, don’t believe it. You’ve got to be all right! I mean, how could I go on without you? I can’t raise this baby by myself. I can’t raise Naomi without you, either.”
Gary looked away, a troubled frown on his face. “You need to start facing the fact that you may have to, Tasha. I know you don’t want to. I don’t want it to be that way, either. But you’ve got to be ready for it, if it happens.”
He took her hand. "Honey, you're going to have to learn to trust God, on a whole new level. Be able to stand on your own, and be everything Naomi and Lucas need. No matter what happens to me, God has a plan for your life, and He will take care of you. All you have to do is remember to follow Him, and lean on Him, every minute of every day. He'll bring you through, I
promise
."
Tasha turned away, biting back a sob. “There’s no way. No way.” she moaned.
Gary’s hand was warm on her shoulder. “Listen to me.” he ordered in a husky voice. “Tasha, you’re going to be fine. Naomi and Lucas are going to be fine. Do you really think God would hang you out to dry? Don’t you know Him any better than that?
"Tasha, we serve such an awesome God. He takes care of His own. Honey, get even closer to Him. Seek Him for what you need, every day. Get into a deeper relationship with Him. Know Him intimately. Know His voice.”
“
Make sure you know what He wants for you. Because then, we’ll both be able to rest easy, in His arms. I know He’ll look after you, if you can trust Him and hear Him. For me, if nothing else. Please, Tasha. Let Him carry you through the hard times.”
Tasha’s eyes flashed. “If He loves me so much, how could He take you from me?”
Gary shrugged. “I don’t pretend to have all the answers. I only know I have to go on trusting Him, no matter what it looks like. Perhaps I’ll be healed, and be allowed to stay here. But no matter what happens, I love you, Tasha. And God does, too, Please don’t ever forget that.”
Tears coursed down Tasha’s cheeks into Lucas’s red-gold curls. Gary gathered them both in his arms, and held them tightly. Tasha held onto him as if she could somehow prevent him from leaving her.
“
Are you going to have more surgery?” she asked fearfully.
“
No. I’ve had too much already.”
“
What, then? Chemotherapy?”
“
No.” he answered quietly.
She looked at him, alarmed. She was fighting not to be overwhelmed by her fear and horror.
“
Honey, I … I’ve tried to think this through, and … there’s nothing I can do, that feels right. I mean, I don’t want to live the life that I’d have to live, to suffer through chemo and all that.”
“
It’s in God’s hands now. If He wants to take me home now, then I’m going without a fuss. This thing just keeps coming back. I can’t imagine living my last months with the side effects of chemo. I want to enjoy them with you, not being sick all the time.”
Tasha bowed her head, and nodded to let him know that she accepted his decision. She couldn’t completely agree, but she knew that he had to do what he felt was right. It was, after all his life, and his body. And in her heart, she knew then, that the fight was over.
“
But you’re so young. And our life … has barely begun.” She whispered tearfully.
“
I know. I know. But Tash, life is a gift; not a right. We never know when it might end. I am at peace. I’m praying that you will learn to be, too. Everything will work out, honey. I promise. No matter what happens, you’ll be taken care of.”
Though people in prayer chains all over the country kept praying, Gary did not improve. Tasha began to know when he was in pain; he was so quiet, and his eyes and mouth looked so grim and drawn. In a month or so, she noticed that he’d lost weight. A good ten pounds. His face began to take on a gray cast, at times. It frightened Tasha half to death.
They made love every night, each of them wondering if it would be the last time he'd have the strength to see it through. He ate less. He did less. He went to bed a lot in the afternoons. But he worked frantically on his book, whenever he was able.
The church people started coming by to see him more often. Joe and Delanie began doing more and more again to keep the church running smoothly.