THROUGH THE EYES OF MERCI

In The Waiting

BY KELLEY RENE

Merci Rivers is a college senior navigating the challenges of university life. No matter how hard she tries, life seems to derail her plans. A scar underlining her left eye and another semester of college are not what she calls blessings. And yet, when she encountered Belinda waiting in Clive’s vehicle, bemoaning her obligations to him, something in Merci took action. She didn’t know why. Or even how. But she knew it was a divine appointment. She would’ve loved to have had a friend—a mentor—as a young freshman. Being one to Belinda was the least she could do. If nothing more than to steer the young girl clear of Prince Charming. That chance encounter blossomed into a weekly coffee date with Belinda and three of her friends.

Read “Through the Eyes of Merci” from the beginning. The first episode is printed in Voice of Truth: 11th Edition, Quarter I, 2023. All episodes are available www.womenworldleaders.com.

Merci’s heart is heavy as she gently lays yet another you’re-not-the-one response atop the growing pile of internship rejections on her desk. She isn’t really sure why she’s saving them, aside from the record that she’s definitely not slacking off on her attempts. It’s been many months since she started applying. Most of her friends have completed their internships and graduated. And yet, here she is. Her mind jockeys between the intentional refusal to let rejection steal her joy and literally wallowing in a swamp of sorrow. In less than fifteen minutes, her living room will buzz with the energy of four overzealous girls, the group organically growing from her offer to meet Belinda regularly for coffee. She squares her shoulders and chooses joy.

But they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint. (ISAIAH 40:31 ESV)

The timer on the microwave buzzes, urging Merci out of her bedroom and into the kitchen. She pulls a batch of sausage-stuffed croissants from the oven and sets them on the stove. Blueberry muffins, sliced cherry streusel, and an array of freshly cut berries, melons, and grapes create a colorful spread across the bar-high counter. She arranges the cooling pastries in a sunny yellow bowl and snaps a couple of photos. It’s almost too beautiful to eat. Her mom would be proud.

A knock at the door prompts her to yell, “Door’s open!” And her guests pile in.

Early on, Girl Talk was code for coffee dates with Belinda. As their numbers grew, it became a Saturday morning ritual. The first of two summer mini-mesters will start this week, and all but one of the girls are enrolled.

“Dig in while it’s hot,” Merci instructs. “Who wants a latte?”

Her current prized possession is the espresso machine she’d received for her birthday. Why spend money at the coffee shop when you can make your favorite hot beverage at home?

A round of “Me!” crosses the room, and Merci laughs. She’s in her element, and she loves it.

Giggles and light banter prance from one to another as the girls get cozy around a repurposed ottoman now serving as a table for the various delectables. Seconds and even thirds—albeit on small dessert-sized plates—vanish, and the room turns quiet.

From her place on the sofa, Merci draws a long sip of coffee and pauses as the warmth travels through her body. She reaches into the pillows and pulls out a well-used Bible. “I was reading something this week that really stuck out to me, and I’m curious to hear your thoughts.” She’s been looking for the right opportunity to share her faith, and now is as good as any. Lord, give me the right words.

Merci slowly runs an index finger over a yellow stickie, marking the text, then reads, “Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life?” (Matthew 6:26-27 NIV). She pauses momentarily, waiting for a reaction. When no one speaks, she adds, “My favorite season is spring. I love to watch the birds flit from tree to tree. They’re so delicate. Almost helpless if preyed upon. And yet, according to this,” Merci raises the leather-bound book as if expecting it to speak directly to them, but hearing nothing, continues, “God feeds the birds. He takes care of them. And He says we’re even more valuable to Him.”

A door opens down the hall. BeBe, her roommate from the Czech Republic, steps into view. Merci smiles, but her heartbeat heightens. Despite BeBe’s quiet demeanor, she had increasingly challenged Merci’s faith recently. This was the worst time for her to appear. She pauses and curiously studies the group before rounding the bar-high counter into the kitchen.

Taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the one who takes refuge in him. (PSALM 34:8 NIV)

Merci closes the Bible and silently asks for strength. “The God of the universe knows me and cares about me.

I don’t have to worry about things of this life.” Even an internship that seems unobtainable. “I trust my Heavenly Father to provide for my needs, and He is with me in the waiting.” She glances around the room, sensing BeBe watching from her place at the sink. “And you can do the same.”

“I had a parakeet once,” Mel bubbles. “My baby brother bonked it on the head, and it went to birdie heaven.” A moan forms and dissipates, overtaken by the clinking of glasses and clanging of pots. Why would BeBe choose to unload the dishwasher now?

“Some of you are starting classes this week.” Merci pulls her knees into her chest and cradles them in her arms. “I’d love to pray for you. It can be about anything.”

“Pray for Mel’s parakeet.” Chuckles popcorn from a couple of the girls among more banging of kitchen cabinets.

“You can pray for me.” Maddox presses her hands into the plush throw carpet. “I failed Intermediate Accounting and am retaking it this summer. But honestly, I’m doubting my whole college experience right now.” Her hands circle the air, making fun of her concern.

“I can do that.” Merci pencils into a notepad. “Anyone else?”

“I don’t believe any of it.”

All heads swivel toward the kitchen, where BeBe prepares a plate of leftovers. “Americans love to talk about God, but I’ve seen no evidence He exists.” Her thick accent gives her words an added air of authority.

Merci’s heart bangs against her ribs, but she shakes off the surprise and quiets her spirit before speaking. “I can understand that. I encourage you to look for the miracles of life all around you: the sun that rises each day, the air that sustains us, gravity, the incredible intricacies of our bodies. All are specially designed to fit together in the beauty that is our world. A world created by God for us.”

BeBe steps around the counter, cradling a plate of fruit. “All that can be explained without saying there is a god who created it. There’s no way you will convince me.” Without waiting for a response, two long strides carry her down the hall, and a door slams.

Merci turns back to her guests. “It’s true. It takes faith the size of a mustard seed to believe. But if we just turn to God—even with our doubts and questions—He will reveal Himself to us.”

Silence settles over the room.

“I have a prayer need,” Merci says as she arranges the notebook and pen beside her cell phone on the ottoman and leans back. “I need an internship to graduate. I trust God has something perfectly designed for me.” She shrugs and rubs her thighs with both palms. “But I need continued patience—and peace—while I wait on Him.”

“Something will work out.” Belinda leans into Merci and drapes an arm across her in a gentle hug as a sly grin stretches across her face. “Although I secretly don’t want you to graduate.”

Laughter mixed with emotion gurgles in Merci’s throat, but she doesn’t want to miss the moment. “Do you mind if I pray?” With no objections, Merci reaches for Belinda’s hand on her left and Mel’s on the right. The other girls follow along.

Merci’s cell phone dings. Without a thought, she glances down at the screen to read the text. It’s from Pastor Dan at church.

Hi Merci. You keep coming to mind as I pray. I’d like to talk with you about a possible internship opportunity at the church.

Tears fill Merci’s eyes. God’s up to something, and Merci is excited to see it unfold.

And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. (ROMANS 8:28 NIV)

Have you ever walked through a situation that seemed impossible? A period filled with uncertainty, doubts, and even discouragement? Maybe you’ve prayed and prayed about it, yet nothing moved in your favor.

The Bible says, And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose (Romans 8:28 NIV). We can trust that even though we haven’t yet seen a breakthrough, God is behind the scenes, working the details according to His will.

Joseph was jailed for three years before being freed and promoted to Pharoah’s court. Laban worked seven years for his future father-in-law to earn Rachel’s hand in marriage. David suffered under King Saul’s rule for forty years before receiving the promised crown. Isaiah 40:31 tells us, But they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint (ESV).

Waiting for our circumstances to change can feel painful. It can feel as if things will never improve. But hold on to the promises of God, precious one. Do not grow weary. Do not grow faint. Keep your eyes fixed on the One who has a plan—a good plan—for your life. God is multifaceted and works to do good in your life and to grow your faith, often while using you to pour into others.

Next quarter, Merci will begin to understand the beauty of obedience in the waiting and how important it is to keep our eyes focused on the One who holds the universe in His hands. Taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the one who takes refuge in him (Psalm 34:8 NIV).

Kelley Rene is an award-winning author who writes contemporary fiction to illustrate biblical truths in the mundane, the exhilarating, and even the stormy circumstances of life. She is the co-author of the international best-seller Miracle Mindset: Finding Hope in the Chaos. When she’s not scribbling insightful stories, you’ll find her crocheting, kayaking, enjoying the beach, or cuddling a good book and cappuccino. Keep up with her at kelleyrene.com or on socials @imkelleyrene.