HOLY HUSH

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 Voice of Truth), we see this thirty-something-year-old city girl steal away into the wilderness to 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.

We are pleased to offer this final installment of Holy Hush.

Part XI

“Home is where the heart is.” Aaron’s voice warms her heart. She looks around and realizes it’s a memory of when they first started dating.

Rebekka climbs on the rock and sits cross-legged as she waits for Felicity, but what’s taking her so long?

Rebekka closes her eyes and inhales for four counts, holds for seven, and exhales for eight. It is a routine that helps calm her when she becomes anxious about Felicity’s lack of time management, something she was never really good with, often causing her to run late. Today was no exception.

“Deep Calls to Deep. Deep breathing always helps calm and relax you.” Rebekka tells herself.

The warmth of the sunset and the aroma of the sweetgrass begin to fade away. Rebekka opens her eyes and finds herself sitting cross-legged on her bed. Her Bible is opened to Psalm 42. The obituary picture of her husband Aaron and sister Felicity is tucked in its pages.

“I don’t know why the two of you were in the car that rainy night, but you were. I miss you both terribly. I love you both so very much and miss you. Aaron, you were my love. Felicity, you were my strength through the cancer treatments.” Rebekka grabs her chest. “Hush.” She bows her head and prays, “Lord, thank you for giving me the strength to forgive and accept the things I can’t change and the courage to move forward with living, even when I can’t breathe. I can’t breathe.” by the night sky. The glass is still cracked. The love note he penned is still secured in the corner.

With God, all things are possible. His infinite possibilities go beyond our darkest fears, deepest hurts, and greatest loss. Allow your faith in Him to dig deeper than all of these, and rest in His holy hush — that will carry you into your greatest joy. His love is more powerful than we can ever imagine. All my love ~ Aaron

“Yes, dear?” Rebekka’s mother enters her daughter’s bedroom.

“Where did this picture come from?” Rebekka asks.

Her mother sits on the edge of the bed and shares the story with her daughter again. “The night that Felicity and Aaron were killed in the car accident, they were on their way home with your birthday gifts. That was one of the gifts that was in the car.” Her mother rests her hand on her daughter’s leg while Rebekka processes the news.

“When was that?” Rebekka begins to cry.

“Two months ago, dear.” Her mother replies.

Rebekka sets the picture back on the nightstand next to her Bible and her bottle of medication.

Rebekka exhales hard, closes her Bible, and rests it on her nightstand.

There. There it is!

“MOM!” Rebekka yells in a panic as she grabs the picture resting there in its frame—Aaron surrounded

“It’s time.” Rebekka smiles and stands. Her mother is a little confused.

“Oh, honey, you breathe every day. That’s why you’re still here.” Her mother tries to console her.

“Mom, I can’t expect you to understand the depths of where I am. Shoot, I don’t even understand it. But I need to go back to counseling again and figure out this dance with grief I have.”

Rebekka points to the picture that Aaron left for her. “He was trying to tell me that my faith in Christ goes deeper than my fear, my hurts, and my losses, and it’s there that I rest in this peaceful holy hush. soul cries out in the chaos, I find my greatest joy in the powerful love of Jesus. back out there—among the living. It’s time, Mom! It’s time for me to live freely in the life God has called me to live, even with all this other….” Rebekka trembles at the memories, “all this other stuff that was meant to destroy me. God will use it for His glory. I can’t sit around in the dark anymore. Help me. Please. Schedule another counseling session. It’s urgent. It's time.

Rebekka’s mother stands and hugs her daughter. For the first time since the fatal accident, Rebekka feels like a person again instead of an empty shell of flesh going through the motions of existence. Her mother believes, beyond a shadow of a doubt, she will have her daughter back among the living soon. Very soon.

What We Learn

Grief is not an easy road to travel. we will all have to walk, and we all handle it differently. For some, it can literally destroy them. Others have traveled it so often it’s like a familiar friend.

Rebekka was so devastated by the loss of her two closest loved ones, her husband and her sister, that she became locked up within herself. Thankfully she found hope to carry on within the first three months post-trauma. After that three-month marker, she would become at risk of developing PTSD, which could alter her future on many levels.

While Rebekka’s grief came from a car accident, over twenty different types of trauma can lead to debilitating side effects. Professional counseling can help assist people who have moved beyond that three-month marker. We have a family member who wasn’t ready for counseling, but years later, when she nearly lost her children to her alcoholism, she realized she needed help.

Some believe it’s easier to avoid the stages of grief and move on without facing the steps. But then they wonder why certain triggers cause them to be overly angry, defensive, or ‘snap,’ even at the littlest things.

In Holy Hush, we have been walking with Rebekka as she goes through the steps of denial, anger, bargaining, depression, and acceptance. She needed to forgive to be able to move out of her state of depression and into a place of acceptance, allowing her, ultimately, to find her healing. How about you?

When you are faced with grief, my prayer is that you will remember Rebekka and reach out for help. First, ask God and trust Him to provide the right person to love and care for you during this difficult period. Then, connect with a trained professional who is equipped to help you learn more, discover more, and even become more.

Allowing God to guide you through the healing process and intentionally taking the steps He provides will enable you to experience His Holy Hush.