THROUGH THE EYES OF MERCI

by Kelley Rene

Silent Promptings

Merci Rivers is a college graduate navigating the challenges of young adult life. She recognizes her need for a Savior and desires to be a light in this dark world. But sometimes, being the light means putting aside societal norms, stepping out of the crowd, and walking in true obedience to God’s Word. This is often harder than Merci expects, but with God at the helm, she knows she can do all things through Christ, who strengthens her (Philippians 4:13).

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.

Excited energy pulses through Merci as she flits around her apartment in preparation for her trip home to celebrate Christmas with her family. She can’t wait to see her mom and dad and even her younger brother, who somehow has surpassed her height, which has been measured in little tick marks on the doorjamb in the home her parents bought when she was four years old.

But first, tonight, she has a date. Her thoughts skitter between what she should pack in her suitcase and what to wear for dinner. She holds an ankle-length maxi dress against her body and turns to view the mirror. Half of her closet already lays on her bed. She secretly hopes a new piece or two will be tucked under the Christmas tree when she arrives home. The maxi drops onto the pile of discarded clothes just as a text message dings. She glances at her phone.

It’s her mother.

Don’t forget to unload the dishwasher, run the vacuum, and take the trash out before you leave in the morning Merci reminds herself as she types back,

Immediately, her phone rings. Merci grins into the screen when her mother’s face appears. “Hi, Mom!” Christmas is their favorite time of year, and it’s obvious they’re both excited to spend time together.

“I know you’re getting ready for your big date,” her mother winks and tosses her shoulder-length hair in a dramatic Marilyn-Monroe gesture.

“Mom, please don’t make this weird.” Merci whines. “I have no idea why I agreed to this.”

Her mother giggles like the giddy schoolgirl Merci is trying not to be.

“Mom, I need a good excuse to cancel. Something that doesn’t sound too sophomoric.”

“That’s ridiculous. You’re meeting at a nice restaurant. Have dinner. Ask some questions. Get to know him.”

“He’s a PhD student who will be wearing a navy sports coat tonight. Can you say boring?” Secretly, she’s intrigued, but her nerves confuse and distort her emotions.

“No one is telling you to marry the guy. Just relax and enjoy a dinner out. The two of you might have something in common.”

That sounds more like the steady mom Merci knows, but then she resorts back to her silly tone.

“Oooo, I almost forgot why I called,” her mom coos as she drops the phone with a thud, swings it around the room, and then settles it on the bathroom sink, revealing a full-body view. “What do you think?”

Merci hesitates, then croaks, “I love it.”

“What’s with the pause?” Her mother never misses a thing.

“Nothing. You look stunning.” Merci does her best to infuse her words with the enthusiasm she knows her mother expects, but she can’t help noticing how much her mother’s figure has changed. Again. It was evident two weeks ago at graduation, but is even more prevalent now. She looks frail and fragile. “That dress is gorgeous.”

“Thank you. I bought it for Dad’s office party.” She twirls in the center of the bathroom like Cinderella dancing with Prince Charming, then grabs the vanity when her legs wobble.

“I can’t wait to see photos.” Merci forces a smile, hoping she’s successfully hiding her concern. “And I can’t wait to build a snowman and make Oreo truffles.” They each agree, and her mom quickly ends the call to accept another.

Merci scolds herself for delaying her trip home. She’d noticed the hint of frailness in her mother’s face at graduation. Why had she not thought of it before accepting this dinner date so she could’ve left sooner? But there is no time to debate it now. She’d get dressed, have dinner, then finish packing. She’ll be home tomorrow and can talk to Dad about it.

Grabbing the maxi dress off the bed, she wiggles it over her head, smooths her hair into a ponytail, grimaces, and yanks it out. Why am I getting so flustered? I don’t need to impress this guy. If he doesn’t like me in a long skirt and ponytail, then so be it. She smooths her hair back again and tightens a scrunchie around it. We’re gonna eat, talk, and never see each other again. Just relax.

Thirty minutes later, Merci parks her car and heads to the hostess stand. “Have you seen a guy in a navy blazer?” She purses her lips, realizing how stupid she must sound.

“Actually, yes.” The young hostess giggles, reminding Merci to be calm and collected. Act like the adult you are, she chides herself as she follows the girl through an array of tables.

Merci sees the navy jacket before she sees the man wearing it. Clive huffs, rolls his eyes, and pours his attention into the menu. This guy is the fly you can’t shoo away from the Sunday potluck. When Baxter, her old roommate, calls out her name, Merci can’t escape the awkwardness.

“Hey!” Merci hasn’t seen Baxter or Clive for probably a year. Truthfully, she’s been quite successful at avoiding them. Her hand touches the scar that will forever cradle the bottom of her left eye as she wonders if she covered it well with makeup. Baxter shifts uncomfortably in the booth, causing her oversized belly to surface momentarily before slouching back below the table. “Now that Baxter’s knocked up,” Ms. Fuller had said at the football game.

“How are you?” Baxter asks just as a flash of blue draws Merci’s attention away from the pair.

“Merci?” A dark-haired guy wearing a navy jacket approaches with an outreached hand. “I’m Xavier.” He’s tall, and his eyes sear into hers.

Merci shakes his hand, quickly wishes her old roommate well, and allows herself to be led away to an adjoining table.

They retreat into a comfortable booth, and the evening progresses with easy chatter over a plate of bacon-wrapped asparagus. Merci studies Xavier’s movements and gentle yet intentional words as he shares about his job, studies, how he chose the university, and where he is in his program. But a pressing thought slowly surfaces in Merci’s mind and begins to drown out his voice.

God, are you asking me to do what I’m thinking? Her heart rate hitches up a notch. What would Xavier think? She’s intrigued by him and thinks they may actually enjoy getting to know one another. What would Clive and Baxter think? I haven’t seen them in so long, does it really matter? Merci makes up her mind. She won’t disobey the prompting she feels from God in order to earn the approval of man.

Merci pulls a pen from her crossbody bag and scrawls her number on a paper napkin. “Will you excuse me for a moment?” Xavier stops talking when Merci scoots out of the bench. She imagines he’s watching her as she retraces her earlier steps back to Baxter’s table.

“Baxter?”

Xavier may think I’m crazy. Clive will likely think I’m an idiot. But if God wants to use me as a mouthpiece, He must have something to say.

When Baxter lifts her eyes, Merci speaks clearly. “Baxter, God wants you to know He loves you. You are not a mistake. You are not foolish. He created you, and He loves you.” Excitement and energy course through Merci’s body. This is what she was made for. She knows it stronger than ever. Clive and Baxter stare at her, dumbfounded.

Merci sets the napkin on the table in front of Baxter. “Here’s my phone number if you ever want to talk.”

Merci saunters back to the booth. Humility and honor crown her like a coronation of fresh anointing. She avoids eye contact with Xavier as she takes her seat and mentally praises God for the opportunity to share His love.

Never before has obedience felt so good. A glance toward Xavier tells her he heard everything, and silence awkwardly ricochets between them.

“What made you do that?” he asks, a hint of dismay hiding deep in his brown eyes.

“Holy Spirit.” Merci bites back an I’m sorry. God used her as a messenger; she won’t cheapen her obedience with an apology.

His expression softens, and his lips turn upward. “That was incredible.” He lets that sink in before continuing, “I thought I was going to be late because my mother called me on my way over tonight.” He brings his fists to his mouth as if to guard against the coming words. “She said, ‘God says you’ll know whether she’s right for you.’”

Merci makes no attempt to shield her surprise.

“What my mother didn’t know was that I spent the afternoon trying to come up with a viable excuse to cancel our date.” He laughs cautiously.

“Me too!” she belts and joins in the laughter.

“Thankfully, neither of us were creative enough.” His tone is hushed when he says, “I think we might enjoy getting to know each other.”

Merci allows his eyes to hold her gaze but is interrupted when Baxter appears at the table. She’s cradling the napkin in her palms. “Thank you for this.” She pauses to wipe a tear from her cheek. “You couldn’t possibly know how much I needed to hear those words.”

“I’m happy to be your reminder.” Merci hops up and envelops the girl in a hug. “Please call me anytime.”

Have you ever experienced a prompting of the Holy Spirit telling you to do something? A simple thought that seemed to come from nowhere?

Through the years, I’ve learned to pay attention to these promptings. Over and over, I’ve seen the Lord prepare me for a chance encounter, save me from impending danger, and even use me to speak truth and life into another’s heart.

It can feel a bit silly at first, but by training our spiritual ears to listen for the still, small voice of the Lord, we can learn to be more in tune with our Heavenly Father and experience faith-building divine appointments. Have no doubt, these promptings will always align with God’s Word and will never tell us to do something that is out of God’s character. The most important way to recognize His promptings is to study the Bible regularly. The Bible is always the litmus test that leads us to God. Don’t allow sin to drown God’s voice.

Isaiah 30:21 says, Your own ears will hear him. Right behind you a voice will say, “This is the way you should go,” whether to the right or to the left (NLT).

As Merci continues to obey the promptings of the Holy Spirit, we will see God show up in incredible ways. Stay tuned to see the good things He has in store.

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.