This story was originally posted on Kennahartian.com.
For part one, click here and for part two, click here.
“I urge you,” Dimitri began, “Not to wait. You never know what will happen.” A pause, then, “How about we pray before you leave?”
“Uh, okay.” Carton said.
“Father,” began the pastor, “Thank you for leading Charles into this church last night so he could learn about You. Help him to want to be Yours and soften his heart. Amen.” He looked up.
“Thank you.” Carton left feeling strangely peaceful. He went to his house and checked on Eléonore. Marie was there tending to the girl. “What! I thought you had left with all the others.”
“I couldn’t leave knowing you didn’t have any assurance. Also, Eléonore needs me, Charles.”
“Do you mind leaving?” Carton asked, “There is something I need to do.” Marie nodded and left, a question dancing in her eyes. Carton walked over and kneeled by the bed as Dimitri had done, folding his hands and bowing his head. “Um, God?” He began. “Please. If You are listening, um, can you please help my little girl? She’s so sick, God, and I don’t know what I would do if she’s gone. Everyone else left. I don’t have anyone left.” His eyes filled with tears. Almost as if it were the wind, Carton heard
“I’m still here. Just ask.”
“Lord, would you, um, would you take me?” He whispered. “I want to be Yours.” Almost at once an irresistible peace filled his soul. He stayed there, praying, until he fell asleep.
*
He woke up to a weak voice calling for water. His eyes popped open, “Eléonore?” He whispered. He felt her head. The fever was no longer there. Standing up, he shouted “Marie! come here!” The door flew open and the older lady practically ran into the room.
“What is it, Charles? What happened? Is Eléonore okay?” She looked so worried that Carton laughed.
“Everything is perfect! He said. Her fever is gone. Gone, Gone!” Marie looked at him in shock. She had never seen him laugh.
“I suppose God answered my prayers.” She smiled when Eléonore said
“Can I have some water?”
“Of course, honey.” Marie went to go get some and Carton sat on the bed holding his daughter.
“He answered my prayers too.” Carton thought. Eléonore slowly drifted back to sleep holding her father’s hand. The calm was broken when Marie opened the door with a bang and ran into the room, closing it behind her. Her face showed fear.
“The people outside! They are storming the Bastille!” Carton jumped out of the bed waking Eléonore, who began to cry.
“We need to get you guys out of here.”
“You are not coming?”
“No. There are some things I have to fix.”
*
An hour later as Charles Carton watched the carriage leave for England, he felt an undeniable sense of peace. Yes, things in France were going down. Yes, he signed the paper that started this. But, yes his little girl was okay, and yes, he belonged to God. Anything that happened would only happen if God willed. So, with a smile on his face and peace in his soul, Carton stepped off his driveway to the road and started walking. It was time to fix things.
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