Holy Hush

Part VII

BY DEBORAH WATSON

Women World Leaders is pleased to present Holy Hush, written by Deborah J. Watson. Deborah is the Executive Director of Studio222films.com and curator of the Branson International Film Festival. A writer, producer, and director in the film industry, Deborah uses her talent to reach hurting people with a message of hope.

Holy Hush is written as an allegorical narrative based on scripture and Deborah’s Christian worldview. Rebekka, the main character that we are traveling with, is on a journey of making a life decision of living with or without her husband, Aaron. Progressing through this difficult time, Rebekka notices the “little things” circling her life and leading her to a decision. As the story unfolds (Holy Hush began in the January 2021 edition of VOT), we see this thirty-something-year-old city girl steal away into the wilderness to be alone and search the heart of God. Along the way, Rebekka is introduced to unexpected characters who seem to be leading her on a journey of discovery.

The captain waits for a moment.

Rebekka attempts to compose herself, but she knows. Now the captain knows. She has not forgiven her husband, Aaron, for what he’s done, and she’s not sure she can.

“He promised!” Rebekka whispers.

“He’s human. They break promises all the time.” The captain looks toward the cascading sun.

“I’m human too. What promises to him have I broken? I loved him. I cared for him. I nurtured him. I waited for him to work through his issues. I followed him from job to job. From town to town. From state to state. I gave him everything he wanted except….” Rebekka looks away and weeps.

“Life is not predictable or planned out. Things happen. People repent and turn and move on all the time. If you forgive now, the winds will die down, and we can still make shore by nightfall.” The captain urges Rebekka to be swift about her decision.

Rebekka stands, defiant. “Don’t tell me how to grieve!”

She walks to the bow of the boat and sits near the brake release to the anchor.

Like the swiftness of a ghost, the captain is next to her.

“So, you do know where you are?”

Rebekka has been aware since the moment she stepped foot on the boat. Living in denial was easier for her than admitting that losing her husband had left her lost and wandering through life aimlessly. “We were going to live together. Have a family together. Die together.”

“You can’t stay here in limbo forever, though. You have to continue forward.” The captain reaches over and begins to crank in the anchor. “It’s up to you if you take unforgiveness with you, or if you leave it behind.”

“And if I take it with me, you can get us through the stormy weather?” Rebekka asks.

“I can, but there’s no guarantee of what will happen when we reach the other side.” The captain replies as the anchor emerges from the water.

“What happened with the others who chose to hang on to unforgiveness?” Rebekka whispers.

“We took to deeper waters and made it safely to the other side.” It is at this moment that the captain walks away from Rebekka, and she knows he is not being honest.

“And then what happened? Once you reached the other side?” Rebekka begs.

“I drop them off, turn around, and come back for the next fare.”

The boat begins to rock as the captain turns on the engine. “So, how are we moving forward, Rebekka?” The captain asks.

“What happens if I forgive him?” Rebekka is curious.

The captain’s face lights up with hope at the thought of calm weather and a safe passage. “You will no longer be chained to the suffering that comes with unforgiveness, and we will have smooth sailing ahead of us. It’s ultimately your decision, though.”

Rebekka walks back and sits down near the captain this time. She exhales, thinking aloud, “There’s no guilt or shame when forgiveness is present. Staying angry at him and holding unforgiveness against him will only continue to add remorse and regret.”

“And stormy seas.” The captain adds. “You’ve taken too long. You must yell your answer into the wind and hold on tight.”

Rebekka is knocked over by a sudden gust of wind with the first pounding wave. She grabs the edge of the boat and rises to face the impending storm. “I forgive you, Aaron!” she screams as loud as she can.

It’s as if her breath pushes against the raging wind and forces the sailboat out to deeper waters as they clear the rocks and point break. The instant calm overwhelms her as she collapses to the deck of the boat.

WHAT WE LEARN...

Rebekka had expectations from her husband the moment she said, “I do.” She expected him to be the perfect spouse for her. She also expected him to love, honor, cherish and bring no harm to her world. Aaron broke his promise to her, though. It crushed her dreams of the perfect marriage.

It was a major blow to her heart, and now her emotions are stuck in the grief cycle. The Lord wants us to be free from the sorrow that comes with suffering. His love for us helps mend our hurts and sorrows.

Psalm 147:3 (NIV) says, “He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.” The word “binds” comes from the Hebrew word chabash. It means to wrap firmly like a turban, compress, or saddle. To bind up, gird about, govern, heal, put, saddle, wrap about. Can you imagine your broken heart being saddled in such a way that the love of Christ literally wraps itself around it until it’s mended? Often, we do not take the time to allow the process to happen. Unforgiveness stays within us, covered with a smile, in hopes that others won’t see our deep sorrow from years ago. People won’t see it. They’re not perfect. The love of God sees it and is ready to heal it. All you have to do is scream forgiveness towards the offender and let the healing waters flow.

“Deep calls to deep in the roar of your waterfalls; all your waves and breakers have swept over me.” Psalm 42:7 (NIV)