A Jewish Custom
It seems that Naomi’s family did not practice this tradition, for if they had she might have chosen home and hearth rather than the unknown. Perhaps the same is true for you, or maybe, the opposite placed so many expectations upon you that you had to escape!
The good news is that no matter what occurred before this moment. Right now you can choose to own your choices and the consequence inherent within them.
The Text
Naomi struggled with the awareness that there was more to her agreement
than Tía had told her. Nevertheless, she steeled herself and refused to show
these men any sign of concern. She smiled and silently prayed, God, if it is
your will that I remain here indefinitely, then give me your shalom—your
peace. She forced herself to smile at Tía and stood to usher the men out.
At that moment, she sensed a whisper in her heart that said, When you were
on the patio, you surrendered your life to this.
As
the unlikely trio left the old lady’s room, Naomi said, “You have both shown my
tía a great kindness today.”
Mr.
Martinez smiled. “The pleasure was mine.” He took hold of her hand and tried to
press it to his lips.
The
priest watched as the attorney’s attempt at flattery elicited little response
from the young woman. “I think it is time to go. I fear we have overstayed our
welcome.” He took Naomi’s hand in his and looked purposefully into her eyes. “I
will come whenever you need me.”
“Thank
you both.” She walked them to the door. Once they were gone and the door firmly
closed behind them, she exclaimed, “I refuse to spend my time with those
hypocrites!” She brushed her hands against her skirt as if ridding herself of
filth, patted her hair into place, and returned to Tía’s room.
As
the two men walked away from the casa, Mr. Martinez stopped and took his
time lighting his pipe. “Strange that such a little mouse should have
the entire estate,” he said at last. “She has no connection to our dear friend.
Perhaps we should try to have La Señora’s will overthrown. The girl must have
taken advantage of her for this situation to come about.”
The
priest readily agreed and they began to discuss how they might correct La
Señora’s error in judgment.
“Look,”
the lawyer finally said, “it is not good for the little mouse to have
such a great inheritance without someone to protect her.”
“That
is true, but what can we do? We do not know the child. Since we never paid
attention to her before, why would she listen to us now?”
“Undoubtedly
she will not, but she will pay attention to her heart. Let us be a blessing to
the little mouse and find someone who will marry her. In this way we can
be sure she is protected and not led astray by a world she knows nothing
about.”
“I
think that would be best. Having her safely settled would help me sleep better
at night!” These words confirmed the priest’s approval. Since they both agreed
that the work of the Tía’s must continue, all they had to do was find the right
man and their problem would be resolved.
Naomi
viewed her future as one suddenly filled with possibilities. Tía prodded her to
call the school and find out where and when she could attend citizenship
classes. Naomi got the information and arranged with one of Tía’s married niñas
to come in for three hours twice a week. She told her benefactor about the
arrangements and was shocked when the old woman railed at her. She ran from her
room crying so hard that she did not hear Tía’s apology.
Later
that day, Naomi checked on her tía and
found her fast asleep. She slept through that day and most of the next. Naomi
feared the old woman would not awaken this side of the grave. It was twilight
when she picked up the phone to call the doctor. Before she had begun to dial,
she heard the faint tinkle of the bell. Glad that she had put it on Tía’s
nightstand, she rushed to the old woman’s room. Aware that her nerves were
frazzled, she paused to collect herself, then opened the door. Tía is
now
my American madre and I
will treat her as such, she reminded herself.
“Madre Vida.” She smiled as the term of endearment escaped her lips. She
believed her greeting was appropriate since she was the only daughter the old
woman would ever have. “Please forgive me for upsetting you.”
“No, mi
hija … my daughter, you have done nothing which
needs forgiveness.” She patted her bed, silently inviting Naomi to sit next to
her. “You did not yet know all that I need you to do for me. I did not turn
things over to you so you would stay here and watch me. I need you to make sure
that my business continues. Now that I am refreshed, I will tell you that you
are to be as me at immigration and help the little niñas
as I helped you. All the information you
need is in my desk. Mr. Martinez will draw up the paperwork for you when you
need it. In addition, there is the market, which you must manage. Many who work
there depend on these jobs. I need to know that you will make certain they will
have work, not only for themselves but also for their children if they need it.
Comprendes, mi hija?”
Authors
Summation
Liberty, independence, freedom; each word must sound
hollow to Naomi for having assumed she could leave at some future date, now she
discovers that she is bound for life! Trapped between her desire for religious freedom
and doing all her tía needs, Naomi
must decide how to be true to her beliefs while continuing to hide who she is to
accomplish what is required. Now more than her fate rests in her hands for Tía
has made her responsible for more than…
As I wrote, edited, and reedited Casa de Naomi, I
found myself wondering how I would handle the situations Naomi must. Time and
again, I found that the only solace I know, that which sustains me though I do
not know it till trails pass, is Scripture. So today, I ask you to think about
the places and situations where you feel trapped, and then turn your thought to,
Yeshua - the lover of you soul as you mediate upon the reflective Scripture I
have posted below.
Reflection
Psalm 121:1-4 I
lift up my eyes to the mountains—where does my help come from? My help
comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth. He will
not let your foot slip—he who watches over you will not slumber; indeed, he who watches over Israel
I pray a blessing upon you, and hope that you
experience His Shalom no matter what befalls you.
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